There are two ways to regard just distributions of resources. (1) Equal shares for all.
(2) First come, first serve. Congress has just opted for (2) in rejecting the rights of immigrants and forcing them to go home, pay $5000 to be reconsidered for guest-worker status and wait out a period of 5 years.
Egalitarians – such as Yours Truly – reject (2) and favor (1). But in situations where resources are extremely scarce, perhaps (2) makes sense. In situations of great abundance, (1) seems kinder, certainly more liberal. Does the U.S. have great abundance? This, of course, is arguable. In situations of scarcity, shares need to be distributed with growth and efficiency as the main criteria. Only after growth and efficient management have won the day, can people afford to be very generous. Is the U.S. economy efficient enough to absorb immigrants? I think so. Is it is efficient enough to absorb guest workers without the draconian rules Congress has just put in place? Without a shadow of a doubt. Therefore, whether one opts for principle (1) or principle (2), Congress’s actions are shameful and abominable.
