American experience
'The US was, like Singapore, built on the sacrifices of economic migrants.'
MR K. KESAVAPANY: 'I have no problems with Mr Paul Chan disagreeing with me that learning experiences may not help Singapore ('Integration and immigration: Copying the US won't work', Tuesday). However, I take issue with his point that the United States 'does not suffer from the problem of economic migrants'. On the contrary, the US was, like Singapore, built on the struggles and sacrifices of economic migrants. Think of the early Irish settlers and, later, the continental migrants. Even today, economic migrants from south of the border continue to be a major issue. In fact, a wall had to be built to staunch the flow. My point is that once migrants land in the US and become citizens or green card holders, they are entitled to the full protection of the law and the economic opportunities available on the level playing field of meritocracy. It is this aspect that we should learn from the American experience, not copy from it. Of course, like Mr Chan, I endorse Mr Ngiam Tong Dow's thesis, that the integration of migrants should be done in such a manner that we do not 'become strangers in our own land'.'
=> But does the US have NS? Why must Sporns serve NS to protect FTrash to replace them? NS = Level playing field?
FORUM NOTE: The writer is the director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and these are his personal views.
'The US was, like Singapore, built on the sacrifices of economic migrants.'
MR K. KESAVAPANY: 'I have no problems with Mr Paul Chan disagreeing with me that learning experiences may not help Singapore ('Integration and immigration: Copying the US won't work', Tuesday). However, I take issue with his point that the United States 'does not suffer from the problem of economic migrants'. On the contrary, the US was, like Singapore, built on the struggles and sacrifices of economic migrants. Think of the early Irish settlers and, later, the continental migrants. Even today, economic migrants from south of the border continue to be a major issue. In fact, a wall had to be built to staunch the flow. My point is that once migrants land in the US and become citizens or green card holders, they are entitled to the full protection of the law and the economic opportunities available on the level playing field of meritocracy. It is this aspect that we should learn from the American experience, not copy from it. Of course, like Mr Chan, I endorse Mr Ngiam Tong Dow's thesis, that the integration of migrants should be done in such a manner that we do not 'become strangers in our own land'.'
=> But does the US have NS? Why must Sporns serve NS to protect FTrash to replace them? NS = Level playing field?
FORUM NOTE: The writer is the director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and these are his personal views.
