2008 Woodie Awards
300 Million Americans
The surge in the immigrant population will fuel future problems for U.S.
Jay Mundy, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/25/06Section: Editorials and Opinion
At 7:46 a.m. on Oct. 17, the population of the United States reached 300 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau-and there is little room for celebration, both literally and figuratively.
The United States of America is now the third largest country by population, after China and India. America's last population "milestone" was in 1967, when the country tallied in the 200 millionth person, and before that in 1915, when the 100 millionth person was counted. Many college students will live to see a population of 400 million people in this country, projected to be reached in 2043.
This latest population milestone is not because Americans are procreating too much; the reason is immigration, both legal and illegal which accounts for 40 percent of America's growing population number. But what about when those immigrants get here? Most of today's immigrants that are coming to America have more children than the average American family.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, "The annual arrival of 1.5 million legal and illegal immigrants, coupled with 750,000 annual births to immigrant women, is the determinate factor-or three-fourths-of all U.S. population growth."
America is too lax on its immigration policy. Twelve million illegal immigrants are allowed into this country and President George W. Bush's so-called resolution to this influx is his proposal of a guest-worker amnesty program, which will allow immigrants to come here and work based on a temporary visa. The problem is that many of these immigrants are not going to want to leave.
Pat Buchanan, a staunch conservative on immigration, proposes shutting the borders completely for 10 years in his new book, State of Emergency. It might seem harsh on the surface, but with America reaching the 300 million mark, it seems like a very viable short-term solution.
A Washington Post story last week reported that immigrants in America send a whopping $45 billion back to their home countries each year. That is $45 billion that could be helping the American economy. Immigrants today are different from immigrants in the past. Immigrants, years ago, wanted to become part of America and help build America. Today, a large number of immigrants simply want to work here and send the money home and not become part of the country. The thriving industry of foreign language media like Telemundo and non-English-language newspaperss proves this point.
The United States of America is now the third largest country by population, after China and India. America's last population "milestone" was in 1967, when the country tallied in the 200 millionth person, and before that in 1915, when the 100 millionth person was counted. Many college students will live to see a population of 400 million people in this country, projected to be reached in 2043.
This latest population milestone is not because Americans are procreating too much; the reason is immigration, both legal and illegal which accounts for 40 percent of America's growing population number. But what about when those immigrants get here? Most of today's immigrants that are coming to America have more children than the average American family.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, "The annual arrival of 1.5 million legal and illegal immigrants, coupled with 750,000 annual births to immigrant women, is the determinate factor-or three-fourths-of all U.S. population growth."
America is too lax on its immigration policy. Twelve million illegal immigrants are allowed into this country and President George W. Bush's so-called resolution to this influx is his proposal of a guest-worker amnesty program, which will allow immigrants to come here and work based on a temporary visa. The problem is that many of these immigrants are not going to want to leave.
Pat Buchanan, a staunch conservative on immigration, proposes shutting the borders completely for 10 years in his new book, State of Emergency. It might seem harsh on the surface, but with America reaching the 300 million mark, it seems like a very viable short-term solution.
A Washington Post story last week reported that immigrants in America send a whopping $45 billion back to their home countries each year. That is $45 billion that could be helping the American economy. Immigrants today are different from immigrants in the past. Immigrants, years ago, wanted to become part of America and help build America. Today, a large number of immigrants simply want to work here and send the money home and not become part of the country. The thriving industry of foreign language media like Telemundo and non-English-language newspaperss proves this point.
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Dennis Wai
posted 10/30/06 @ 3:17 AM NA
Dear Jay Mundy,
I disagree with one of your articles named "300 million Americans: The surge in the immigrant population will fuel future problems for U. (Continued…)
Jay Mundy
posted 11/01/06 @ 10:27 PM NA
Mr. Wai,
Thank you for your comments. I responded to your comments, if you would like to see them on my website: www.JayMundy.com.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jay Mundy
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