Boycott Backlash?

It's finally here -- "A Day Without Immigrants" (AKA Boycott Day)!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Now that immigrants have grabbed the nation's attention, what next?

Monday has been set aside for immigrants to boycott work, school and shopping to show how much they matter to their communities.

Wait a minute.
AP says that "immigrants" are boycotting "work, school and shopping"?

What is the definition of "immigrant"?

Other than Native Americans, we're all immigrants or descendants of immigrants. No one in my family will be boycotting work, school, or shopping today.

I think it would be more accurate for the AP story to use the term "illegal immigrants."

Do you think that those who followed the law and immigrated to America legally are interested in the boycott, too?

I think they may be likely to boycott the boycott.

A better name for the protest would be "A Day Without Illegal Immigrants."

...Many hope that workers' bosses also will join their efforts -- and some already are showing their support.

Some big businesses are shutting down operations, corporate spokesmen said: Six of 14 Perdue Farms plants will close; Gallo Wines in Sonoma, California, is giving its 150 employees the day off; Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat producer, will shut five of its nine beef plants and four of six pork plants.

Greg Schirf, owner of Wasatch Beers in Utah, said that when some of his Latino employees sheepishly asked if they could take off Monday, he responded: "How about this? We'll just take a company holiday. We'll call it 'Latino Appreciation Day.' "

By shutting down operations, Perdue, Gallo, Tyson, and other businesses are actively promoting this boycott. In effect, by supporting ILLEGAL immigration, they are aiding and abetting in undermining the law.

The operative word is "ILLEGAL."

What about the plight of immigrants who came to this country legally, waited and worked for years to become Americans?

What about the plight of American citizens who are being told by pandering politicians that we must grant citizenship to those who have broken our laws and that our tax dollars should be used to give them benefits?

I think this May Day boycott has the potential for a major backlash.

Isn't it possible that the sight of hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in protest will actually be a wake-up call for Americans?

It will be a dramatic illustration of how unforgivably lax the government has been in securing our borders and upholding the law.

If estimates are correct and there are around 12,000,000 illegals in the country, that means there are 283,000,000+ legal American citizens.

It doesn't seem reasonable to assume that the four percent of the country's inhabitants who are here illegally would have the power to bring the U.S. economy to a grinding halt.

Granted, in areas where the concentrations of illegals are greatest, Monday's walk-out will have more of an impact. However, whatever occurs economically on this one day, it's just a stunt, without long term consequences.

I wonder what a cost-benefit analysis would reveal.

How does the cost of illegal immigrants compare with the benefits they bring to the country?

Although private employers may profit from a cheap labor pool, the American taxpayer is burdened by the flood of illegals.

The fact is YEARS and YEARS of neglect regarding illegal immigraion has brought us to where we are today. The fact that nothing has been done about the problem for generations is an embarrassment.

I doubt the demonstrations will succeed in persuading the vast majority of Americans who are law-abiding to side with the lawbreakers.

I am pro-immigration -- LEGAL immigration.

As an expression of solidarity and in the name of America's LEGAL immigrants, I plan to go shopping on Monday.

Boycott, shmoycott.
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Check out some sites offering organizational information and other news about the protests.
Immigrant Solidarity Network

A.N.S.W.E.R.

American Friends Service Committee