For the Greater Good: Haiti

In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, lovely lovely Americans have been providing so much aid to the Haitian people, but is it enough? Today on CNN, I watched a debate take place regarding the issue of the inevitable influx of Haitian immigration to the US. Can our country support the estimated 200,000 people that may make their way here in need of assistance? Currently, the US has a policy referred to as TPS, or Temporary Protective Services, which allows accepted people to remain in the US for 18 months-- legally. So the debate is: should the US approve more TPS applications from Haitians in need?

I think, yes. As much as I agree with the fact that Americans come first, in this time of need, it is crucial that we accommodate the needs of a small country like Haiti. It is crucial that a large population leaves the country in order for the Haitian government to be able to properly rebuild; the government needs to make sure that citizens are granted a safe haven so that valuable time and resources can rebuild instead of shelter.

However, that doesn't mean that we should take everyone in. In fact, all proximal countries should be willing to open their borders to the influx and grant similar permits to worthy citizens. I say worthy because it is important that each participating government do the best they can to keep their citizens safe from criminals that may attempt to enter the country.

Haiti needs to rebuild so much: hospitals, schools, homes, etc; and they also need to take care of the injured as well as the dead. News reports are showing footage of the dead on sidewalks, which is not only disrespectful to the departed (don't misunderstand, i'm not accusing, merely observing), but very hazardous to the healthy as those bodies begin to decompose. Furthermore, desperation is leading to looting and other acts of violence, things that almost always happens after or just prior to the natural disaster.

Of course, there's always a downside right? That silver lining is weighing the cloud down.

The pressure on taxpayers will be enormous. With unemployment at 10%, it's no wonder that everyone should be wary of the influx. But at the very least, we can place them in homes in the same way that Americans reached out to Katrina disaster survivors. As an incentive, the US government should be willing to deduct expenses from taxes. Placement in homes may be the best way to alleviate the immediate crisis, but Americans living in stable homes can alleviate their own troubles by helping their new boarders find menial jobs-- jobs we know that Americans rarely want to take. It is incredibly unlikely that higher position jobs will be available but corporations like McDonalds always have openings in positions. Work is work. Those wages can help pay a small rent, or pay for community education, clothing, etc. Education is by far the best way to help rebuild Haiti from the outside. While the Haitian government rebuilds the inside by building hospitals, schools, etc, we can prepare refugees from the outside. At this point, I definitely sound like I'm preaching the White Man's Burden, but I think this sort of policy should be adopted by all of those proximal countries who open their borders. Let's not forget that Mexico has an excellent education system, and there are families who are well off enough to be able to support an extra person. It will take cooperation from everyone to be able to fix the current situation.

Ugh. that wasn't nearly as intellectual as I wanted it to be... but it's also not as researched. IT WILL HAVE TO DO.

x-posted to LJ