Things Not Said About Mass Immigration
Observations from a Heritage American on illegal immigration.
California is renowned for many things, some nice and others not so much. The perception of a state mired in a dysfunctional bureaucracy, high cost of living, and general malaise are hard to counter against with the numerous examples that can be presented. A quick glance at the number of people leaving the state reveals how many cannot see a viable future for them and their families. The exodus will continue while the problems grow bigger.
Yet, her natural beauty cannot be denied. From the peaks of Yosemite, to the golden sunset that graces the Pacific, the wonders of the state are legendary. The “Golden State” moniker was not incorrect, and represented much more than her natural features not that long ago. A place that drew in Americans from across the country to thrive and raise families in connected communities.
As a resident of California, the current uproar over ICE raids is not surprising. This state (and others) practically rolls out the red carpet for illegal immigrants. Not a year seems to go by without another piece of legislation passing to foment the increasing number of illegal immigrants. More bilingual services, more housing assistance, more food aid, etc. For decades now, we have been told that America is “simply an idea,” and that anyone coming into the country get transformed by our magical soil. The riots and protests over deportations paint a decidedly different picture.
The Narrative
Governor Newsom and other state officials clamor to get in front of sycophant media to gush about how wonderful it is to have so many illegal immigrants, citing economics, cultural enrichment, and other flimsy reasons that paper over the reality of those experiencing their policy consequences. Feel-good stories are trotted out about DACA recipients and 14th Amendment Americans holding degrees in Human Resources or Liberal Arts, all thanks to illegal mom and dad toiling in the fields, lest the crops begin to rot. All this for the ungrateful Heritage America—as if no one ate vegetables before they arrived.
Platitudes about the “Rule of Law” regarding due process and expedited deportations sound comical from a state like California that has the most sanctuary cities and routinely flout federal immigration law. A state that spent over $9 billion in 2024 on healthcare coverage for illegals and is on track to spend nearly $11 billion this year. Adding in additional costs from illegals in the areas of education, housing, and law enforcement pushes this figure even higher. One does not need a degree in economics to know this is unsustainable for the long-term, and will continue to add tension around the immigration issue.
Governor Newsom invoking the founding fathers in his defense of anti-deportation protests is another sign of the current idiocracy.
The tales of communities enriched by illegal immigrants paint a narrative as if they are otherworldly beings coming down to visit the native masses, unworthy of their blessing. Media breathlessly reports on how enriched Heritage America becomes by the creation of more foreign ethnic enclaves producing a ready labor pool for cheap goods and services. Left out of this celebration are negative effects that embracing a multicultural future have on the nation. References are made to the economic numbers rising, as though the only reason for a nation to exist is to worship an almighty GDP Excel spreadsheet god.
Reality
Left out from the never-ending praise for mass immigration are the real-world impacts of not having a sovereign country.
Here are a few anecdotes:
Being in a grocery store when it’s announced that debit/credit card machines have quit working and only cash will be accepted. Almost as if the signal for it, illegal immigrants begin leaving groceries on the nearest flat surface or simply walk off with the goods still in a cart. Why care about the impact of spoiled goods paid for with a SNAP/EBT? A knowing look is exchanged between Heritage Americans on the insipid and inconsiderate behavior.
A visit to the emergency room turns into a 4–6-hour ordeal because of the massive numbers of illegal immigrants that treat the ER as their personal doctor office.
Take the family for eye exams and glasses. Even with insurance for vision, the bill is over $1000—only to see a family of 4 present a Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) card and pay nothing.
Noticing that almost every gas station and convenience store have become staffed by H1-B visa holders who barely have time to utter a hello, much less carry a conversation with a Bluetooth in one ear, talking to the homeland. What connection does someone like this have with the community? The nation as a whole?
Going to a government office, whether social security or DMV, and feeling like a stranger in your own country. Costco has become the new United Nations.
Seeing public squares in town, once symbols of pride in the community, strewn with drug paraphernalia, and illegal homeless. City parks that are now unsafe, even in broad daylight.
This personal list of experiences could be much longer and no doubt others reading this have similar stories. These are examples of how rapidly the demographics and cultural reality changed in the last few decades. Meanwhile, those with deep ancestral roots in the founding and building of America are chided for noticing. Told to accept and embrace these changes. Progressives call those who display an unease or trepidation bad words and tell them to “Remember Ellis Island!” and other historical platitudes designed to shame us for daring to speak up.
But more and more are voicing how this situation in the country is unacceptable. The fountain of sympathy for the swamping of the country with migrants died out sometime during the Biden administration. As details continue to come out on how this was a calculated process the resolve for mass deportations grow.
Progressives frequently point to past historical moments of immigration to America as justification of the latter 20th and 21st century migrations, yet it cannot be ignored how selective they are with information provided. Any facts detrimental to the progressive narrative of America’s sole purpose of adopting the entire globe are left out.
100+ years ago, Americans did not foot the bill for those who immigrated. There wasn’t SNAP/EBT food aid, a social security administration, or a multitude of other programs that catered to those coming to our shores. The American way and assimilation were not treated as pariah ideas. Nor was the history of America and her heroes demonized and given the Howard Zinn treatment at every opportunity. Phrases like “My Community,” or “My People” are now reserved for newcomers, and never the founding stock.
Where This is Going
We do not know how successful mass deportations will be, but the uncertain waters of the 21st century is obvious. With discussions of impending global conflicts, financial downfall and other possible calamities becoming a harsh reality, the need for unity in a nation’s people will be crucial. To trust in the notion that “America is Just an Idea” instead of a country forged through shared ancestry and hardships is a fool’s errand. Ideas require a collective belief, not simply handing out pocket Constitutions or slogans proclaiming We’re All Immigrants.
The time to put away childish optimism is now. Keep your family close and traditional community ties alive.
-ArthurinCali
I can claim 4 different generations of Americans in my family tree: Pre-Revolution, Pre-War Between the States, post-WBtS, and Post Hart-celler.
My current office space might as well be placed in Mumbai, it’s absurd. There’s an entire floor dedicated to their ilk.
How do you start a consultancy business that convinces boomer execs that the H1-B program hurts the company long term?
Collecting the stories of Californians forced to move seems worth the effort. An accounting of the territory and material loss would be eye opening. Not to mention the loss of social capital, institutional capital and, most unfortunately, the loss of life.
We have been in experiencing a slow invasion for decades.
The wealthy are able to (mostly) evade the effects.
Everyone else had to navigate the situation the best we could, and going forward the best we can.