An article from The Economist about America and Immigration

I thought this was a really fantastic article, in this week's issue of the Economist. I think it is actually available to read without a subscription.

This struck so many chords with me, as someone who has waited endlessly for a piece of paper, who has been greeted by rudeness at every re-entry post and has decided that it is not worth it to let one's life be ruled by forms, bureaucracy and more pieces of paper.

I am very grateful indeed for the opportunities that America has provided me, I have realy enjoyed living here, still do. But I don't want to put up with the hassles of being an immigrant any more, and am therefore seriously considering moving back to my dear chaotic country and hacking my way through life there.

My favourite parts, quoted:


A country that has been built on immigrant labour is now building fences and demonising foreigners, almost as if it did not need them.



and



There are still good reasons for immigrants to put themselves through all this. America has the world's greatest universities and biggest opportunities for the truly talented. But American officialdom needs to stop thinking that people will tolerate any humiliation to work there. Uprooting yourself from your native culture is difficult enough, without having to deal with unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles. America also needs to realise what will happen if the immigrants stop coming. University departments will grind to a halt. High-tech companies will be starved of personnel. New York could find itself eclipsed by London as the world's financial hub.