Olympics Expose the Total Hypocrisy of U.S. Immigration Laws

Americans aren't known for their rational views on immigration. So it's no wonder we attack low-wage workers while celebrating immigrant athletes.

Sally Kohn, Movement Vision Lab, in AlterNet.org

I have to confess I've never really cared about the Olympics. Since I'm not much for sports or raw nationalism, the fusion of the two doesn't really get me up in the morning. But I will tune in tonight to watch Lopez Lomong -- Sudanese "Lost Boy" turned U.S. track star -- carry the American flag in the opening ceremonies. I'm sure I'll have a tear in my eye, but also a twinge in my stomach for the profound irony of the moment. Some might even call it hypocrisy.

For here we are in the United States, where though the price of gas is skyrocketing, there seems to be endless fuel to feed the fires of anti-immigrant sentiment. But the Olympics are different, I guess. Is it the same with professional sports? Or the governorship of California? We don't like immigrants in low-wage jobs that none of us citizens want to do, but we don't mind immigrants in the exceptionally high-paying jobs that American-born citizens can only dream of?

What's the point complaining about an undocumented Mexican making $5 an hour in a chicken processing plant, who lost two of his fingers because of unsafe conditions and labor violations? Shouldn't we be more upset about Yao Ming making $15 million a year, plus endorsements?

More...

Related:

Son of Undocumented Immigrants Wins Gold, David Neiwert, AlterNet.org
A great victory for the U.S. comes from a citizen right-wingers would want to deport.

Nativist Bedfellows: The Christian Right Embraces Anti-Immigrant Movement, Tarso Luís Ramos and Pam Chamberlain, PublicEye.org
The Christian Right is adamant about their hatred of abortion and same-sex marriage. Now they're adding undocumented immigrants to the list.