Intelligence Squared hosted its last debate of the semester last night, tackling the subject of immigration. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, who sought the Republican nomination for president in 2008, called for more stringent immigration measures. Meanwhile, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and former renowned journalist and current CEO of ImmigrationWorks USA Tamar Jacoby took the pro-immigration stance.
The debate focused on two pivotal points: the fiscal costs of immigration and the assimilation process necessary for immigrants to become used to being a part of the unique fabric of America.
The anti-immigration team swayed the most undecided members of the audience to win the night. Before the debate, 16 percent were anti-immigration, 54 percent were pro-immigration and 30 percent were undecided. By the end of the debate, 35 percent were against immigration, 52 percent were in favor and 13 percent were undecided.
The anti-immigration side focused on the immediate economic crisis facing America. Kobach said the fiscal costs of immigration are too great and immigrants sometimes take advantage of American welfare.
Meanwhile, the pro-immigration team focused on the long-term benefits of immigrant labor.
"It's a win-win situation," Jacoby said. "Immigrants actually help create jobs."
Castro emphasized that the need for a stronger immigration policy is necessary, he said.
"Deporting 11 million illegal immigrants is just not feasible," he said. "We should punish those who [came here illegally] and give them a chance at the back of the line."
The two teams also tackled the problem of assimilation; Tancredo said the process has not been regulated in past years.
"The cyclical nature [of immigration in the past] served a purpose," he said. "People used the downtime to assimilate."
The anti-immigration side said, however, that the majority of immigrants no longer feel the need to "become American" and assimilate to U.S. culture.
The two sides closed the evening with decisive statements.
"Why is it so hard for us to think of our own citizens first?" Tancredo asked.
Jacoby retorted, "Shutting the gates would be disastrous and a fantasy, and an un-American fantasy at that."
