In 1519, a small number of Spanish invaders, around 176, landed on the shores of Mexico with an objective of plundering the riches of the land and the people. They faced an army of close to 10,000 too drunk in their superior numbers but finally succumbing to the superior weaponry of the Spanish with help from local dissident tribal leaders. Since that day the cultural mix of North America changed forever. European powers ruled Mexico until early 1800 when it was finally liberated from the clutches of colonial power. But the plundering of almost three centuries took its toll on the culture and people and forever changed their psyche. It is now slowly emerging back and reclaiming its cultural heritage from the world. The recent release of a Spanish language US anthem is a sign of that emerging trend. This has become a controversial issue even prompting the US President to disapprove it. But this is a natural progression of a dynamic country. Since US is a global power we feel that its anthem should be represented in all world languages the same way its currency is a default unit of trade.
Spanish-speaking immigrants from North and South America have also changed the cultural mix of USA. Only recently, the Spanish overtook African-Americans as the largest minority group in the USA. The issue will get further complicated if 11 million illegal immigrants, most of them Spanish, gets the right to citizenship under the immigration reform bill. This will give them enough electoral power to influence politicians in policy issues.
Due to language barriers and lack of education Hispanics have traditionally participated in farming, construction, janitorial and landscaping services. But this is going to change as these immigrants educate their next generation and rise in the economic stature of the society. Proliferation of Hispanic television and radio channels and newspapers suggest this rise in economic power.
If the US wants to prevent increasing migration from its Western neighbor, Mexico, it has to develop a multi-pronged strategy. First of all, US should encourage its industries to increase their direct investment in Mexico to improve the employment situation in the country as well as to compete with labor-intensive China. It should provide incentive to US farming industry to hire people on temporary work permits with the condition that these immigrants return to their homelands after the expiration of these permits. For Mexico remittances from US is one of the largest foreign exchange earners, around US$ 25 billion last year, even more than their oil production. As long as Mexico relies on these remittances it would not have an incentive to prevent border crossings. US should devise ways to help Mexico diversify its industries to earn foreign exchange through export of its products. The insecurity of the Hispanic people might also contribute to tightening immigration policy for immigrants from other parts of the world. Although it would isolate USA from the rest of the world but would increasingly align it with Mexico and other South American countries.
As far as the Pakistani immigrant community is concerned, it has thrived in the US starting from low-level jobs at gas stations, grocery stores, cab driving and limousine services. Pakistanis exercised their English language advantage over their Hispanic counterparts to accept these jobs. Gradually, they started moving upwards by owning those same stores and employing the next wave of immigrants from their homelands. This scenario is changing by three emerging trends. First, as Hispanics overcome the language barrier and gain more confidence in their abilities, they would like to come out front from the back. Secondly, the Patriotic Act will put Pakistanis at a disadvantage with the scrutiny of Muslim license applicants. And lastly, the next generation of Pakistani-Americans, born and raised in USA, are not interested in inheriting the gas station or 99 cents stores from their parents.
If Pakistanis want to maintain their economic profile, they must start thinking about the future in USA. They should form a nationwide chamber of commerce to lobby with policy makers. Pakistanis should also form investment groups to help young entrepreneurs to enter new industries like Technology. Indians have successfully created the Indus Entrepreneur (TIE) group to provide a platform for Indian entrepreneurs. Few years ago Pakistanis created The Organization of Pakistani Enterpreneurs of North America (OPEN) to help technology start-ups but the bursting of technology bubble badly hurt its efforts. It is now time to reconstitute OPEN or create some new organization to help young Pakistanis in realizing their dreams. American-Pakistanis can also form joint ventures with companies in Pakistan, not only diversify their risks but also to improve the competitive edge for Pakistani products. Times are changing fast around the world. Pakistani immigrants in USA have to unite behind a common cause and prepare long term strategies to ensure a safe future for their coming generations.
The impact of immigrants In 1519, a small number …
May 10, 2006 at 11:15 pm · Filed under Political Commentary
The impact of immigrants
In 1519, a small number of Spanish invaders, around 176, landed on the shores of Mexico with an objective of plundering the riches of the land and the people. They faced an army of close to 10,000 too drunk in their superior numbers but finally succumbing to the superior weaponry of the Spanish with help from local dissident tribal leaders. Since that day the cultural mix of North America changed forever. European powers ruled Mexico until early 1800 when it was finally liberated from the clutches of colonial power. But the plundering of almost three centuries took its toll on the culture and people and forever changed their psyche. It is now slowly emerging back and reclaiming its cultural heritage from the world. The recent release of a Spanish language US anthem is a sign of that emerging trend. This has become a controversial issue even prompting the US President to disapprove it. But this is a natural progression of a dynamic country. Since US is a global power we feel that its anthem should be represented in all world languages the same way its currency is a default unit of trade.
Spanish-speaking immigrants from North and South America have also changed the cultural mix of USA. Only recently, the Spanish overtook African-Americans as the largest minority group in the USA. The issue will get further complicated if 11 million illegal immigrants, most of them Spanish, gets the right to citizenship under the immigration reform bill. This will give them enough electoral power to influence politicians in policy issues.
Due to language barriers and lack of education Hispanics have traditionally participated in farming, construction, janitorial and landscaping services. But this is going to change as these immigrants educate their next generation and rise in the economic stature of the society. Proliferation of Hispanic television and radio channels and newspapers suggest this rise in economic power.
If the US wants to prevent increasing migration from its Western neighbor, Mexico, it has to develop a multi-pronged strategy. First of all, US should encourage its industries to increase their direct investment in Mexico to improve the employment situation in the country as well as to compete with labor-intensive China. It should provide incentive to US farming industry to hire people on temporary work permits with the condition that these immigrants return to their homelands after the expiration of these permits. For Mexico remittances from US is one of the largest foreign exchange earners, around US$ 25 billion last year, even more than their oil production. As long as Mexico relies on these remittances it would not have an incentive to prevent border crossings. US should devise ways to help Mexico diversify its industries to earn foreign exchange through export of its products. The insecurity of the Hispanic people might also contribute to tightening immigration policy for immigrants from other parts of the world. Although it would isolate USA from the rest of the world but would increasingly align it with Mexico and other South American countries.
As far as the Pakistani immigrant community is concerned, it has thrived in the US starting from low-level jobs at gas stations, grocery stores, cab driving and limousine services. Pakistanis exercised their English language advantage over their Hispanic counterparts to accept these jobs. Gradually, they started moving upwards by owning those same stores and employing the next wave of immigrants from their homelands. This scenario is changing by three emerging trends. First, as Hispanics overcome the language barrier and gain more confidence in their abilities, they would like to come out front from the back. Secondly, the Patriotic Act will put Pakistanis at a disadvantage with the scrutiny of Muslim license applicants. And lastly, the next generation of Pakistani-Americans, born and raised in USA, are not interested in inheriting the gas station or 99 cents stores from their parents.
If Pakistanis want to maintain their economic profile, they must start thinking about the future in USA. They should form a nationwide chamber of commerce to lobby with policy makers. Pakistanis should also form investment groups to help young entrepreneurs to enter new industries like Technology. Indians have successfully created the Indus Entrepreneur (TIE) group to provide a platform for Indian entrepreneurs. Few years ago Pakistanis created The Organization of Pakistani Enterpreneurs of North America (OPEN) to help technology start-ups but the bursting of technology bubble badly hurt its efforts. It is now time to reconstitute OPEN or create some new organization to help young Pakistanis in realizing their dreams. American-Pakistanis can also form joint ventures with companies in Pakistan, not only diversify their risks but also to improve the competitive edge for Pakistani products.
Times are changing fast around the world. Pakistani immigrants in USA have to unite behind a common cause and prepare long term strategies to ensure a safe future for their coming generations.
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