Why not end Muslim immigration to the U.S.?

Submitted by Paul (United States), Apr 17, 2007 at 16:53

While I suppose cultivating moderate Muslims is, relatively speaking, desirable --- though from my layman's point of view, their actual existence is a real question --- why don't we first do the obvious: End immigration to America from Muslim countries? We certainly don't need more people of any sort, and we especially don't need what we're getting from those countries, whether the dangerous ones make up 1%, 10%, or 85% of those who come here.

In response to a suggestion that may sound radical, you might object, "But what about 'refugees and asylees'?" I use the inner quotes advisedly: In a conversation with Jan Ting, former Assistant Commissioner of the INS under G. H. W. Bush, I asked him if it was true that 90% of refugee and asylum cases are fraudulent. "95%," was his instant reply.

Of course, this was a general statement, not particular to Muslim immigrants. But again --- as the Minneapolis/St. Paul episodes show --- there's plenty of downside to Muslim immigration. And what's the upside?

Since immigration is a fundamental question of public policy, it's obvious that ending Muslim immigration ought to be on the table.

And if someone argues that "We can't discrimnate on the basis of religion!" there are two rejoinders:

1. We can discriminate against [i.e. exclude] people who aren't in our polity however we choose;

2. Islam isn't a religion like Judaism or Christianity. It is a totalitarian system that is dangerous to those not of the umma. Western tolerance shouldn't be expected to adjust itself to totalitarian intolerance.

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