rebeccajo

Internet communities of migrants to the US are full of "illegal" haters. I think that's partly because the US system is so sloooooooooow. People develop a perception that they suffered ages to live legally in the US. How that is somehow worse than living illegally in the country with the fear of ICE of your doorstep has always eluded me.

Sally Redux

I think some people also do consider themselves just naturally superior by 'virtue' of being white and/or English-speaking.

Karrie72

My ears are burning! All I was trying to say in a Desmond Morris way, is that people in crowded cities like London get freaked out by the prospect of overcrowding. It's a natural thing and I do hear Londoners moaning about it including my family who live in East London.
In the big scheme of things historically whenever there's been a wave of migrants coming to London, there's also been some bumps during the transition.

chris955

I did see a survey of younger people something like 20 to 35 and 73% dont have a problem with allowing free movement. It is only the vocal minority and sheep that disagree and think the sky is falling.

Brigette

Unfortunately a survey is not scientific enough. Not taking sides but just saying.
It is interesting though reading this thread and the one on the US forum. Each side believes they are correct. Could there be a bit of truth on both sides? Only time will tell I suppose

dunroving

I can't see how any right-minded peron could think that Romanian people are socially inferior to British people.

sallysimmons

Not over the next 12 months, but ultimately immigrants always improve quality of life in the country they arrive in. They start businesses, take jobs no-one else wants, and generally add to the economic welfare of everyone else. It's always been that way, and it always will be.

This fear of immigrants always strikes me as particularly weird on a website dedicated to immigrants. Go figure!

sallysimmons

No, the facts actually tell. If you read the economic statistics, immigration is always a plus.

On one side you have facts and on the other side you have fear and ignorance. The truth isn't somewhere in the middle of those two things. It just isn't.

dunroving

The rhetoric is familar to me, having grown up in Birmingham during a period of immigration from Asia. Pakistanis in particular came in for a lot of stick but were among the most hardworking and innovative contributors to the economy you could find.

I can understand why some people may be fearful of the economic conequences, but I can't understand the bigoted attitudes of some BE-ers on this topic.

dunroving

I didn't mean your posts - I could see your point and you didn't come across as having a superior attitude about eastern Europeans.

Karrie72

With all respect, it appears some of you live in bucolic, rural areas where sudden influx of foreign people is a rare occurrence. Nothing wrong with that, but to suggest that Londoners who are nervous about this are racist and intolerant is unfair.

Karrie72

Ok thank you, I was starting to get a complex for a bit!

Karrie72

The Romanians are very educated and have similar values to us. I believe the furor is about the Roma people.

aries

I think many people are concerned that our ethic mix will be changed so much that our culture and Britishness will be lost. Also our country is too small for a continued big increase in population, though no doubt this will happen over the years.

Brigette

Agreed! However that does not negate the fact that each side "might"have a valid point or two that has nothing to do with being socially inferior. I noticed you were very vocal in the US thread. No problem with that. However I'm not going down that road just think it's an interesting thread and continue to be fascinated by what is taking place in the UK