Debates about immigration often focus on its economic costs and benefits. Yet that focus misses the bigger picture, Peter Coy argues. Coy, a writer for The New York Times, suggests that the real resistance to immigration lies much deeper than data about jobs and economic impact. Coy explains that opposition to immigration often stems from the stories we tell ourselves about immigrants and immigration, stories that are often colored by unchecked biases and assumptions.
- In the first three paragraphs of his argument, Coy starts with what others are saying about immigration. What views about immigration does he present in these three paragraphs? What strategies from the Introduction and Chapter 1 does Coy use to enter this conversation?
- What are three major misconceptions people have about immigration? According to Coy, what are the consequences to these misconceptions? Look at this infographic, which addresses many of the common misconceptions about immigration. What information from this infographic did you find surprising, and why?
- Coy uses voice markers throughout his argument to signal who is saying what. Where do you see him using a strategy from Chapter 5 to mark his own ideas? What strategy or template is he using? Where do you see him using a voice marker to alert readers that a particular view should be attributed to someone else? Do you find these voice markers helpful as a reader? Why or why not?
- Coy refers to people’s feelings about immigration as a “squishier” question. Why do you think he describes it this way? According to Coy, what groups of people are most likely to oppose immigration, and what are the different reasons they have for resisting immigration?
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Peter Coy sheds light on the topic in an interesting way. He shares two economist opinions on whether immigration provides a net benefit for the U.S economy. The two economists he discusses, David Card and George Borjas, have different viewpoints on how immigration affects American workers and the economy overall. However, Coy argues that economists are often less focused on, “how Americans would feel about and react to immigration?” Framing this question as a “squishier” question. I think the reason he describes the question this way is because these questions fall through the cracks and may seem less important to economists. Unfortunately, I do feel that there are concerns not being fully addressed towards immigration. Many social media outlets/new articles bolster the idea that immigrants are hardworking and would work for less, or that immigrants are escaping from a lower status. “Those misunderstandings have consequences,” Peter Coy. Coming from a family that legally immigrated to America, I can understand both perspectives on the issue and why immigration continues to create debate in the United States. Many Americans may have uncertain feelings about immigration because they worry about job competition, wages, housing, or just overall public resources. Even If economists can argue that immigration benefits the economy, some may focus more on how immigration effects their daily life. This is why immigration is such a controversial topic in politics/society. Peter Coy suggests that just facts and statistics alone may not change public opinion, because people’s feelings and experiences shape their view. We must understand both the economic data and emotional concerns for immigration when finding possible solutions for the future.
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