by In the 1980s, immigrants, primarily from Mexico, started moving to the northwest corner of Arkansas to work in the booming chicken business there.
In the end, this was a positive outcome for many people here. They think the region’s remarkable economic success is mostly due to immigrants. Chris Allred, who has spent his entire life in this neighborhood, disagrees.
A recruiter for a trucking company named Mr. Allred dislikes anyone who enter the country illegally. He sees them as a horde of takers, occupying spaces in hospitals and schools that are funded by American taxpayers. Although he also dislikes President Trump, he voted for him last year in part because it appeared like he would genuinely address immigration.
During dinner at his Bentonville apartment, Mr. Allred informed me that we no longer had an industrial base. Our national debt is in the trillions. It isn’t feasible. We are unable to accommodate millions more people. It’s not feasible financially.
However, Mr. Allred’s life has experienced something that is challenging this viewpoint. The love of his life was eventually found and he married her. Also, his wife is not authorized to be in the nation.
Although Mr. Allred’s background is unique, his opinions on immigration are not. Many Americans compare a loose border to a club with no membership rules or a house without a door. It diminishes the significance of being inside or belonging. However, things can rapidly turn problematic once the door is closed and the issue of what to do with people within arises.
The content of the article is not being retrieved.
Please make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.
We appreciate your patience as we check access. Please log out of Reader mode and sign in to your Times account, or subscribe to The Times in its entirety.
We appreciate your patience as we check access.
Are you a subscriber already?Sign in.
Do you want to read every Times article?Sign up.
