Transcript
Sam Byrd
Executive Director, Idaho Migrant Council
[Frustration with immigration, with minorities] is really I think what is evident even here this evening in terms of the emotional reactions that we have to something that I do think we need to take and look at from all sides. I think the Consul speaks clearly with regard to the need, to take a look at it really in its larger context. The other is that I think we need to support our arguments with evidence and the evidence does not seem to bear out your emotional response to the presence of either legal or illegal immigrants because the debate is not only about illegal immigration but it is also how we treat those that legally immigrate to this country especially those that come from Latin American countries. We have assigned them and continue to assign them a different status. Recently, a study was done in the state of Minnesota specifically regarding the economic impact of the presence of illegal immigrants in that state and overwhelmingly, the evidence indicates that there is a positive [effect], in fact, the economic downturn will be worse in that state and all of the states if they weren't here. And the other one would be with regard to this issue of patriotism. The evidence is clear that we are, in fact, those of us who come from another country, especially from the Latin American countries, are some of the most patriotic and dedicated individuals to this uniter, which we call freedom.
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