Article: "Aging Americans Face Bleak Futures Unless We Let New Immigrants Help"

[dilettante]

Title should read:

Rich Americans Face Bleak Futures Unless We Let New Immigrants Work Cheap

It's all about a low-paid, marginalized, isolated servant class subsidized through tax and job loss by other Americans.

There are no "jobs Americans will not do" but only "for so little compensation." If the jobs are so shit then isn't foisting them onto immigrants pretty unenlightened?

 

[Murrmurr]

Title should read:

Rich Americans Face Bleak Futures Unless We Let New Immigrants Work Cheap

It's all about a low-paid, marginalized, isolated servant class subsidized through tax and job loss by other Americans.

There are no "jobs Americans will not do" but only "for so little compensation." If the jobs are so shit then isn't foisting them onto immigrants pretty unenlightened?

A few decades ago, I was in a relationship with a woman who immigrated from the middle-east (non-Muslim). She took me to a big dinner her family had, to introduce me, basically.

I met her 68yr-old aunt who came over the year before, never worked in the US a day in her life, but was approved for SS benefits, due to being over 65, according to my girlfriend. Her brother owned a liquor store and was getting food stamps and Medical. Same with 3 of her cousins.

Everyone in her family was getting some sort of public assistance.

Me? I spent my working years going from city to city and job to job chasing the best wages I could find to support my 3 kids. I was a single father who did not qualify for any assistance whatsoever (key word - father), aside from a few years in the 80s when congress approved a presidential proposal to assist working parents with child care costs. The program expired and wasn't renewed.

It was pretty nice while it lasted, but it wasn't well-liked by many of the congress members' major contributors to their reelection campaigns. They apparently had other priorities.

 

[Lethe200]

Here's a story about one of those so-called 'murdering/rapist criminal illegals': (and yes, this sentence is /s)

Former ‘Top Chef’ Contestant on His Rise from Dishwasher to Michelin-Star Honors​

Free Link: One of Napa Valley's Top Young Chefs Wins His Michelin Star

On our visit last week to Napa Valley, we ate at Truss, to compare it against Solbar @Solage Resort, long one of our favorites. Both Spouse and I now rate Truss higher than Solbar, so it's on our "A" list any time we are in the Calistoga area. Stunning food!

 

[Lethe200]

Everyone in her family was getting some sort of public assistance.

Having grown up in the ghettoes of Chicago, I spent most of my first 20 years with people who received some sort of public aid, including my father who was on SSI for Parkinson's disease.

The biggest grifter I ever met was a beautiful 28-yr old blonde who was from a white trash background. She was collecting state aid under four different names and also worked 'under the table'.

 

[Murrmurr]

Having grown up in the ghettoes of Chicago, I spent most of my first 20 years with people who received some sort of public aid, including my father who was on SSI for Parkinson's disease.

The biggest grifter I ever met was a beautiful 28-yr old blonde who was from a white trash background. She was collecting state aid under four different names and also worked 'under the table'.

With plenty of Americans like her, why would we need new immigrants like her?

 

[oslooskar]

For the record, capitalism REQUIRES the impoverished, the poor, and the working man in order to function.

While it's true that capitalism involves a range of socioeconomic classes, the idea that it requires impoverished people or that poverty is intrinsic to its function oversimplifies how capitalist systems work. Capitalism is based on voluntary exchange, private property, and competition, and its success depends on productivity, innovation, and wealth creation rather than the existence of poverty.

Historically, capitalist systems have been associated with significant reductions in poverty. For example, the global poverty rate has dropped dramatically over the last few decades, largely due to the adoption of market-oriented policies in developing nations. Capitalism, by incentivizing entrepreneurship and investment, often creates upward mobility and opportunities for individuals to improve their economic standing.

Moreover, in capitalist societies, many social safety nets—funded by the prosperity capitalism generates—exist to reduce poverty and support the most vulnerable. Programs like unemployment benefits, subsidized healthcare, and public education wouldn’t be possible without the economic growth fueled by a capitalist framework.

That said, no economic system is perfect, and capitalism requires responsible governance to address inequalities that arise. But reducing it to a system that ‘requires poverty’ ignores its capacity to generate unprecedented wealth and improve living standards for billions.

 

[oslooskar]

This is rural country, I see no criminals among the Mexicans in my community.

Mexican nationals constitute approximately 7.9% of the U.S. federal prison population. Specifically, out of 156,715 federal inmates, 12,395 are Mexican citizens. (These figures pertain solely to federal prisons and do not encompass state prison populations.)

 

[Twostep]

A few decades ago, I was in a relationship with a woman who immigrated from the middle-east (non-Muslim). She took me to a big dinner her family had, to introduce me, basically.

I met her 68yr-old aunt who came over the year before, never worked in the US a day in her life, but was approved for SS benefits, due to being over 65, according to my girlfriend. Her brother owned a liquor store and was getting food stamps and Medical. Same with 3 of her cousins.

Everyone in her family was getting some sort of public assistance.

Me? I spent my working years going from city to city and job to job chasing the best wages I could find to support my 3 kids. I was a single father who did not qualify for any assistance whatsoever (key word - father), aside from a few years in the 80s when congress approved a presidential proposal to assist working parents with child care costs. The program expired and wasn't renewed.

It was pretty nice while it lasted, but it wasn't well-liked by many of the congress members' major contributors to their reelection campaigns. They apparently had other priorities.

Greencard holders can apply for Medicare after five years in the US. Generally age related application penalties apply.
Unless they paid the respective quarters into Social Security they are not eligible. Non immigrant visa holders can apply for Social Security if they worked the required quarters nd paid into the system.

 

[Jackie23]

Mexican nationals constitute approximately 7.9% of the U.S. federal prison population. Specifically, out of 156,715 federal inmates, 12,395 are Mexican citizens. (These figures pertain solely to federal prisons and do not encompass state prison populations.)

What's your point...I'm stating what I know to be true in my community.

 

[fwtxcitywoman]

From the article: "...America’s aging population is exploding and the unmet demand for the caregivers elderly citizens rely on is becoming increasingly pronounced in rural areas and smaller cities and towns where nearly half of all Americans live."

To read the rest: Aging Americans Face Bleak Futures Unless We Let New Immigrants Help

As a senior living in Texas where the population is 40% Hispanic, we already have the help of immigrants. Most folks here really don't have any issue with immigrants because they DO work HARD and provide a myriad of services.

I think the rest of the country has a bigger issue with immigrants. The Christian nationalists rag on them, want to boot them out, etc. So Christlike don't you think? I mean, Jesus and Mary were just immigrants looking for a place to sleep. I always laugh seeing the tiny baby Jesus as a white person.

I have been in favor of a legitimate work visa program for decades. Work in the USA, zero benefits to immigrants, no housing assistance, no free childcare, no welfare. You work here for five years, never have so much as a traffic ticket, you can quickly become a citizen. But oh no, that is too simplistic for lawmakers. Whatever. I'm just one tiny speck in the grand illusion of the USA.

 

[DebraMae]

I grew up in Texas. The Mexican migrant workers came through seasonally. My mother was a teacher. She went back to college to learn spanish so she could teach their children. Honestly, I found them to be modest, honest and kind people, sometimes more so than the people who hired them. Many were taken advantage of.

 

[Timewise 60+]

This article does not acknowledge the obvious fact that this massive group of "Aging Americans" has been known about since we all were born post WWII. These "Baby Boomers" are now rolling into retirement. Most all of us paid their whole lives into SSI and many have retirement plans earned while staying long-term in many companies. Many have saved for retirement to supplement their SSI.

I believe this generation is the best ever prepared for retirement. Although, I recognize that some of us did not work for companies with retirement plans or did not stay long enough in those companies to receive retirement benefits, many of us have saved for retirement accordingly.

Unfortunately, some will still struggle...and will not be prepared to retire. Regarding illegals in our country. By law, they should be deported regardless of age. Until or unless we change that law, our law enforcement people should not let them come into our country and deport those that are here illegally.

 

[Murrmurr]

Greencard holders can apply for Medicare after five years in the US. Generally age related application penalties apply.
Unless they paid the respective quarters into Social Security they are not eligible. Non immigrant visa holders can apply for Social Security if they worked the required quarters nd paid into the system.

Then please explain to me why the elderly lady from the middle-east was getting a monthly check from the SSA after her son brought her over for the first time ever only the year before. I'd love to know.

The lady's son had lived here in Calif for about a decade, owned a liquor store (with help from me and millions of other taxpayers), and had just gotten his citizenship. Maybe he's the reason.


BTW, a Green Card isn't the same as a Work Card, and a Work Card (aka Employment Authorization Document, aka Work Permit), which you get through the INS, is not the same as a Work Visa, which you get through a US consulate.

The elderly woman from the middle-east had a green card. Migrant/immigrant farm workers get a work card/EAD. The INS issues both those.

 

[oslooskar]

What's your point...I'm stating what I know to be true in my community.

My point is to provide context that extends beyond individual experiences, which can sometimes differ from broader trends. So, just as you're sharing what you believe to be true in your community, I'm sharing what is statistically true on a national level.

 

[HermitHogan]

I used to work for a construction company that built holding facilities for illegal immigrants. Their workforce was almost entirely Hispanic and sometimes they'd get a few illegals with forged papers. So the illegals were building jails that would house them when they got caught. Some refused to work on those sites. Others didn't know what they were building.

 

[Twostep]

Then please explain to me why the elderly lady from the middle-east was getting a monthly check from the SSA after her son brought her over for the first time ever only the year before. I'd love to know.

You will have to ask her.

The lady's son had lived here in Calif for about a decade, owned a liquor store (with help from me and millions of other taxpayers), and had just gotten his citizenship. Maybe he's the reason.

See above. You know how the business was registered, how it was run?

BTW, a Green Card isn't the same as a Work Card, and a Work Card (aka Employment Authorization Document, aka Work Permit), which you get through the INS, is not the same as a Work Visa, which you get through a US consulate.

I had a socalled Evergreen Green Card for 25 years and was involved with US immigration on a professional level.
INS has not existed since 2003. It was replaced by USCIS, ICE and CBP.
Employer petitions get sent to USCIS for approval, then to NVC for collection of supporting documents and scheduling of interview at the local consulate, a consular officer will inform the applicant if the petition was approved or not.

The elderly woman from the middle-east had a green card. Migrant/immigrant farm workers get a work card/EAD. The INS issues both those.

Migrant workers get an H2B visa.
EAD applies to a number of very specific situations such as K1. This link goes into details. Application for Employment Authorization

 

[Murrmurr]

You will have to ask her.

I asked her son, because he spoke English. He told me.

See above. You know how the business was registered, how it was run?

Yes. I worked for him for a couple of years.

I had a socalled Evergreen Green Card for 25 years and was involved with US immigration on a professional level.
INS has not existed since 2003. It was replaced by USCIS, ICE and CBP.
Employer petitions get sent to USCIS for approval, then to NVC for collection of supporting documents and scheduling of interview at the local consulate, a consular officer will inform the applicant if the petition was approved or not.

After it became part of Homeland Security, yes?

Migrant workers get an H2B visa.
EAD applies to a number of very specific situations such as K1. This link goes into details. Application for Employment Authorization

I grew up on a dairy farm in the midst of other farms, mostly livestock. I have farming cousins in upper and lower Calif, one who grows almond trees, and 2 who have fruit orchards. They just sign documents for the INS to get and/or renew their migrant worker's work authorization cards. These workers don't live in the US. They come and go seasonally.

 

[Twostep]

I asked her son, because he spoke English. He told me.

Yes. I worked for him for a couple of years.

After it became part of Homeland Security, yes?

I grew up on a dairy farm in the midst of other farms, mostly livestock. I have farming cousins in upper and lower Calif, one who grows almond trees, and 2 who have fruit orchards. They just sign documents for the INS to get and/or renew their migrant worker's work authorization cards. These workers don't live in the US. They come and go seasonal

I cannot guess what your family members sign with INS.

 

[HermitHogan]

Robots have the potential to replace immigrants for manual labor, and if a shortage of labor results from the policies of the new administration, robot technologies will advance rapidly since it will affect profits. We are a profit driven society where in most cases where decisions are made, money is really all that matters.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Robots have the potential to replace immigrants for manual labor, and if a shortage of labor results from the policies of the new administration, robot technologies will advance rapidly since it will affect profits. We are a profit driven society where in most cases where decisions are made, money is really all that matters.

Robots don’t care who they replace.

 

[Twostep]

I am signing up at the local community college (30-45 minutes one way) for CNA certified nursing assistant. Oklahoma is not a state to pay family care takers but I will be better prepared. So will be my study partner.