I don't find 'immigrant' offensive. People emigrate and they're immigrants. So it shouldn't be a nasty word. That said, it is funny how we're 'expats' when we go aboard but anyone who comes here is an 'immigrant'.Originally Posted by nigel
Is it me or is the word "immigrant" a horrible nasty word!?Imagine someone calling you an immigrant!?
Am I the only one that thinks this?
However, I do agree with you in finding the notion of 'illegal' immigrant very offensive. No one should be 'illegal' by simply crossing into a notional man created border. Capital and all sorts of goods are now allowed to be moved freely around the world but some human beings are apparenly illegal when they do the same thing? That is quite sick really.
The only reason free movement for human beings isn't allowed in the same way as it is for capital and goods is because the transnationals would soon find less and less people to man their sweat shops, call centres etc in third world countries and therefore less of a supply of cheap goods and services to richer nations. You only need to take a look at the 'made in' labels on your clothes or phone a bank helpline to realise this.
Of course no one ever mentions anymore that mass immigration has been going on in Britain now a lot longer than just the last 60 years. Even if it was internal immigration. During the Industrial Revolution, people were compelled to emigrate from rural areas to work in the new factories. This is exactly what is continuing to happen to this day but they're just coming from further away now and outside the notional border. In addition, all the arguments about immigrants nicking jobs and depressing wages were made when the idea was first mooted that women should be allowed into the workplace. It wasn't true for woman and it isn't true for immigrants.
After that I also find the British obsession with Asylum seekers mad too. There is this pressure to send back more and more. But what about if they're genuinely going to be tortured or murdered when they return home? As has often happened to people we've sent back. It would be much simpler to allow free movement and then you can do away with 'illegal' immigrants and the millions and millions of taxpayers money that is wasted on asylum claims and trying to stop 'illegals' getting into the country. Along with the millions in taxes lost because of the black market in labour. Of course all this would virtually put the Daily Mail, The Sun Daily Express etc etc out of business..... which is possibly reason number one why it would be a good idea!
