Transcript
Sam Byrd
Executive Director, Idaho Migrant Council
[Frustration with immigration, with minorities] is really I think what is evident
even here this evening in terms of the emotional reactions that we have
to something that I do think we need to take and look at from all sides.
I think the Consul speaks clearly with regard to the need, to take a look
at it really in its larger context. The other is that I think we need
to support our arguments with evidence and the evidence does not seem
to bear out your emotional response to the presence of either legal or
illegal immigrants because the debate is not only about illegal immigration
but it is also how we treat those that legally immigrate to this country
especially those that come from Latin American countries. We have assigned
them and continue to assign them a different status. Recently, a study
was done in the state of Minnesota specifically regarding the economic
impact of the presence of illegal immigrants in that state and overwhelmingly,
the evidence indicates that there is a positive [effect], in fact, the economic
downturn will be worse in that state and all of the states if they weren't
here. And the other one would be with regard to this issue of patriotism.
The evidence is clear that we are, in fact, those of us who come from
another country, especially from the Latin American countries, are some
of the most patriotic and dedicated individuals to this uniter, which
we call freedom.
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