Anti-immigration rhetoric
Anti-immigration rhetoric means people suffer
Issues relating to immigration invoke emotional responses.
A decision on your immigration status can mean displacement, fear of the unknown, and your general state of being threatened. And yet, somehow, gross injustices with immigration decisions can be seen as acceptable.
Why? This high tolerance threshold of injustice exists because it’s helped along by convincing anti-immigration rhetoric justifying actions and responses. Anti-immigrant rhetoric is becoming increasingly normalised in today’s international environment and the politics of hatred and fear-mongering being touted by some high-profile figures.
It takes much time, soul searching, and possibly a fresh pair of eyes to see that behind the anti-immigration rhetoric there might be no substance. Empirical research does not usually support the rhetoric; there is frequently no valid rationale. It is more often than not a response that comes from a place of fear and then sold as fact.
Unsurprisingly, the public buy it.
Unfair situation
What happens with some immigration decisions is not fair and nor its it right, yet the anti-immigration rhetoric continues.
With time, some injustices are rectified, but only a rare few victims get compensation. Sometimes, the injustice itself never surfaces. It remains buried under paperwork and the flow of time.
History repeats itself in some other form. The blanket of desperation and hopelessness smothers. Those who find themselves in a vulnerable predicament because of their immigration status then provide a field-day for the unscrupulous, and there is no shortage of such victims.
Interesting opinions on migrants to New Zealand
Public responses are interesting to observe, particularly opinions with their own quirks. Some say:
“So what, it is none of my business,’ or “we did well, why aren’t they?”
According to a few:
“It is their problem if they had expectations. They should have researched better, because everything is available on the Internet. Some migrants are so desperate that they are prepared to do anything to get to New Zealand and come into this country knowing what is in store for them. They should not complain if things are not so rosy. They deserve what they get.”
These are reactions and opinions to the symptoms rather than the issues on hand.
Vested interests
I was recently told by some with vested interests that I should not rock the immigration boat, and that the road marked ‘No Entry’ provides us with work and opportunity.
“What is there to worry about? We are benefiting.”
The ways of the world continue to fascinate me. What have we become? Are we condoning those who benefit from the misery of others with glee?
We are in the business of protecting our borders. This is every country’s prerogative, but are we also protecting our pockets? Are we filling them up in a misguided fashion?
The anti-immigration rhetoric continues, nothing changes and business continues as usual. This is the world in which we live.
