After All We Are A Nation of Immigrants
"Yes, but we're a nation of Immigrants." As the argument implies, since we pursued mass immigration in the juvenile stages of our history, it would be hypocritical for us to stop it now. In no other area of policy, however, do we tolerate such thinking. No one, for instance, argues that energy policy should be dictated by centuries-old practices. Same goes for other policy areas, like abortion, gun control, or criminal punishment. But all questions of public policy are supposed to go through the same rigorous, cold hard analysis, so as to ensure costs and benefits are fully deliberated and properly weighed. Is immigration exceptional in this regard? If so, I see no reason for it.
What our
historical standards once were with regards to immigration should be seen as
irrelevant to public policy decisions made now.