Immigration: A Truthful Debate

Immigration has always been a subject that stirs strong emotions, but it deserves to be approached with honesty, fairness, and perspective. The United States of America stands as the prime example of a nation built by immigrants. From the Irish and Italians who laid railroads and built cities, to the Africans whose struggle against slavery gave rise to enduring movements for freedom, to more recent waves of Latin American, Asian, and European arrivals — America is the living proof that immigration, when embraced through lawful means, can create the most powerful and diverse nation on earth.

Legal immigrants enrich society. They bring skills, culture, ambition, and family values. They build businesses, serve in hospitals, protect communities in uniform, and contribute to the economy in ways that strengthen us all. Their sacrifices and determination are to be celebrated, as they remind us of the universal human desire to work hard, care for loved ones, and create a brighter future.

But it would be dishonest not to also acknowledge the shadow side. Illegal immigration is a crime. It undermines the system of fairness and respect for law that decent people of all ethnicities and beliefs rely upon. Unchecked illegal entry puts strain on services, fosters criminal networks, and at times brings danger to vulnerable communities already struggling to get by. This is not about race or nationality — it is about the principle that a society cannot thrive without borders, rules, and order.

The humane but firm response is clear: deportation or relocation for those who deliberately break immigration law. This is not cruelty — it is common sense and fairness to those who followed the process legally and those who live by the rules every day.

The USA, as the land of immigrants that leads the world, shows us the best of what immigration can achieve. It also teaches us that the difference between lawful and unlawful immigration is not a matter of semantics, but the line between contribution and exploitation, between safety and risk.

In Rochdale, in Britain, and across the globe, let us take inspiration from the legal immigrants who build stronger societies, while also facing up to the challenge of illegal immigration with clarity and courage. Because only then can we ensure fairness, opportunity, and security for all.

— M. B. Shaw, The Dale Blues