Blogging from Shangahi, part 4

The United States is an ungrateful nation. Anti-immigrant ordinances, the fear of deportation, job scarcity, and the uncertainty of comprehensive immigration reform have caused many hard-working Mexicans to give up in the U.S. and return to Mexico. The stories are pretty common now, and that’s a shame. These families have contributed much to the economy of the country and to the social fabric of local communities.

Here in Shanghai, I’m seeing a parallel situation. I’ve interviewed several Chinese families who lived in the U.S. for many years, working hard in middle class  upper middle class occupations. The contrbuted to high tech industries as well as important medical and financial institutions. Yet, they never felt totally welcomed in the U.S. They often felt excluded from social and political institutions, and never felt an embrace of a community. They assure me that they tried, but they never fit in. So many have come to Shanghai, even though they may have originally been from Taiwan or Hong Kong. Here they are able to find a comfortable social niche immediately. So they are contributing to the vibrancy and economy of a new neighborhood and community.

The U.S. really ought start thinking about a major integration program for immigrants, or else we’ll continue to lose many of our assets.

bh