Immigrants Enrich Culture

Speakers
Daniel DiMartino,

Release Date
January 4, 2022

Topic

Human Rights Immigration
Description

Does immigration to the United States change American culture? Are immigrants more or less patriotic than natives? Is it easier or harder for immigrants to assimilate in the 2020s than it was in the 1920s?

Economic writer and researcher Daniel DiMartino was born in Venezuela but now lives in the US. In Part 1 of Learn Liberty’s immigration series, “Why Should Conservatives Embrace Immigration?” he tackled the stereotypical narratives around immigration from a Libertarian perspective — and from a statistical one. Watch Part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi5YY0PU2Qk

In this video, Part 2, he’ll walk you through some eye-opening statistics and lines of reasoning that demonstrate the social value — not just the economic — of immigration. He outlines the points-based immigration systems of two other English-speaking former British colonies: Canada and Australia, both of which are admitting far more immigrants than the US is, adjusted for population size.

DiMartino also observes that America is admitting fewer immigrants per year than its historical average, even as immigrants are becoming more patriotic, assimilating more quickly, and speaking English better every year.

And, he argues, immigrants are not changing America, as some conservatives worry. Because immigrants, in today’s interconnected world, can stay in touch and share stories with their families back home, they tend to make their native countries more like America.

Additionally, DiMartino cites evidence that immigrants are more likely than native-borns to believe that America is a country where people are treated fairly. He theorizes that’s because many immigrants weren’t raised in the current, “woke” American environment that celebrates victimhood.

Do you agree? Are you among the 78% of Americans who support highly-skilled people immigrating into the US, or do you have a different viewpoint? If so, why? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Finally, DiMartino argues that America should expand high-skilled immigration. How? Subscribe to Learn Liberty to find out in Part 3.