Why so divisive?

Keywords

Immigration = when someone leaves their country to live in another one. Every country has its own immigration rules or policies about which migrants are allowed to stay and for how long

Policy = a rule or system of guidelines that tells a government how to deal with something

Divisive = something that causes strong disagreement between people


Comments (154)

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  • It is important to hear other people's opinions, even if we disagree with them for several reasons. By listening to diverse viewpoints on immigration policies, we can broaden our perspectives and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex issues involved. This allows us to consider different angles and factors that we may have overlooked. Engaging with differing opinions fosters empathy and understanding. This empathy can lead to a more compassionate and inclusive society. Additionally, hearing diverse opinions helps us identify our own biases and blind spots challenging our assumptions and refining our own positions. By actively seeking out different opinions we can overcome stereotypes, find common ground and work towards solutions that balance different viewpoints. By listening to others even when we disagree, we promote a more inclusive and effective approach to immigration policies.

    1. I agree with you because I believe that being open minded about a topic can promote tolerance among members of society. Also, listening to the opinion of others can change the opinions of some people who were thinking differently at the beginning of the discussion. People might also have different opinions about immigrants in their country because of maybe their view on that race of people or may be a stereotype

      1. I agree with you that listening to other’s opinions even if it is different, will make one understand what other people perspective is and try to understand why they might feel this way and at the end of the day one might actually learn something different from others and how to respect, tolerate and accept their opinions.

      2. I don't think actually agree to what you are saying because you giving your immigrants an open minded just because you want peace to raigen in your country. Don't you think that the immigrants might gang up against you one day which may lead to taking over your country just because you have given them the full right.

        1. I disagree because when immigrants are trying to escape and move to another country, it is probably because their native land is war stricken or because of poverty or hunger and if they are not able to make ends meet as foreigners in another country because of that country's lack of adequate rights for immigrants, it defeats the aim of the Sustainable Development Goal numbers 1 and 2 which state no poverty and zero hunger respectively.
          This would on turn lead to them not being able to make ends meet. Moreover, the presence of immigrants should be a cause for people to be kind and supportive. In addition, when you said that they would gang up against the country, I do not feel that it is possible because they do not have enough manpower to overthrow the country and even if they are successful, they will not be able to effectively rule which would lead to them being overthrown and besides taking over a country is a difficult task especially if one is a foreigner in that country.

      3. HELLO wondrous skill,
        I agree with you because being open minded also promote understanding and being accommodative towards people. It also helps in knowing more about people from different races . Given other people listening ears will help them, in return by getting jobs and contributing to the economy. listening to people can change your opinion just like you say but that dose not make them to be divisive ,that why people should be tolerance in what ever they do.
        THANK YOU!!!

    2. I cannot agree with you more. We share similar thoughts. I also think that listening to other people's ideas although you disagree with them, enables you to hear other people's thought and can even help you to change your mind. Different perspectives are a bonus so that you can listen to different point of views and even turn it into a solution. We also indeed get an improved understanding of complex issues. Also, I agree when you said, "This allows us to consider different angles and factors that we may have overlooked". It is true because we might have ignored some main points that we should have considered but other people's opinion will draw your attention to the points you left behind. To conclude, I accept that listening to other people's point of view although you disagree, helps you to empathize with them and ponder over their idea and see whether you can use it or you can improve it.

    3. yes I do agree. It is important to hear other peoples opinions or views. Because hearing what every one has to say can help come up with a solution that invokes everyone's idea or contribution. It also helps to consider the possible outcomes and how it might positively affect people or negatively affect people. It is much civilized to listen to other peoples ideas because in as much as countries want to make laws that protect their own citizens, it may be detrimental to other countries or citizens of other nations or even infringe on their human rights. Some of these law may be 'selfish' in that it does not consider other counties needs.

    4. I agree with fearless_mandarin. Indeed, people's opinions differ because they are based on their expertise; however, hearing from other people increases our knowledge on many different subjects. We need to listen to others and give them the benefit of the doubt, even if we don't always agree. It is said that where words abound, wisdom abounds even more.

    5. I agree with you fearless mandarin. It's indeed great and good to listen to other people's opinions to form up yours and give you a better clue on what we are discussing. Bringing about different options and opinions of people helps to eradicate the case of intolerance and toxicity.
      There was a time in history when Ghana and Nigeria were together in in Nigeria until the Ghanian decided to start ruling Nigerians but we refused and we chased them back to their country with a bag called Ghana must go which is very rampant in Nigeria as at today.

    6. I agree because, yes, there are several compelling reasons why it's important to hear other people's opinions, even if you disagree with them. By listening to others, even when we disagree, we can work towards finding common ground and solutions that balance different viewpoints. Also, by listening to others opinions, you enhance your decision-making and helps you critically think. Lastly, listening to others opinions fosters personal growth by challenging individuals to expand their understanding of complex issues.

    7. Nice point from you fearless mandarin. My question is do you really think that they will be more benefit to the country if immigrants come in? What will be the rate of peace in the country. Will the rate of peace be greater or lesser when they are given listening ears?

    8. I concur!
      Take Topical Talkers for example. We all share diverse opinions on news and local stories around us, as well as actively understand and learn more about different cultures from ours. Being open minded and ready to learn is the mark of an educated mind, you might not agree with them but lending a listening ear always makes people feel heard and important, and also increases your knowledge about the world around you.
      But sometimes is it good to listen to everyone? What about criminals/ prisoners should they be heard on matter like this? Is it possible that seeking out different perspectives on an issue can be detrimental? What if there is an argument?
      I want to hear your thoughts..

      1. I totally get what you're saying.
        It's crucial to be open-minded and willing to listen to diverse perspectives, even if we don't always agree. Everyone deserves to feel heard and valued. When it comes to criminals or prisoners, understanding their experiences can lead to more empathetic approaches to rehabilitation. Seeking out different viewpoints is valuable, but it's also essential to consider the context and potential consequences of those perspectives. Healthy debates can help us grow and learn from each other. It's all about finding that balance in understanding different viewpoints.

    9. I agree with you as the topic of immigration polices is a very controversial one , and you can listen as you said several different viewpoints and none of the opinions are right or wrong and also we can learn more about immigration polices with other opinions and as you have said we promote a more inclusive and effective approach to this topic.

      1. Hello quick_measurement
        I agree because listening to different perspectives can help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of immigration policies and work towards promoting a more inclusive and effective approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with immigration.

    10. I agree with you because I feel that it’s important, to listen to others and be open-minded. It’s important to be open-minded because we hear other people's opinions since it's a great way to learn what others think and their perspectives. Being open-minded it's important when you are debating about different situations. It allows people to learn how they think and what they can disagree with. Being open-minded is a key factor when debating because it will allow people to change their perspective on situations

    11. I agree with you fearless Mandarin, listening to others and hearing what they have to say gives us a better understanding and is one of the most efficient skills we need today to be able to work with others, understand them and seek solutions to a problem. It also helps build our understanding of a topic or argument and listening from different sides is more effective .

      Moreover, I think the reason people have such different opinions about immigration policies is that they feel immigrants bring along their bad cultures, immigrants are allowed to do certain things they aren't supposed to do

      1. What are the benefits of immigration?

        1. Hello Chloe,
          I firmly believe that immigration brings huge benefits to a country, not only in terms of its diversity, but also in terms of its economy and legal system. Immigration system or the immigration policy plays a significant role in the cultural diversity of a country. Because when different cultures are different people from all over the world come together and start living in different communities, it takes time for them to adapt to that particular culture, and in the process, they also transfer their culture in some way Integrate into the culture they live in, or the culture they are adopting. In the United States, for example, the influence of immigrants has shaped iconic cultural phenomena such as jazz music and Tex-Mex cuisine. Additionally, I believe immigrants contribute significantly to economic growth by filling labor gaps and starting businesses, as evidenced by the entrepreneurial success of Silicon Valley, where many technology companies were founded by immigrants or their descendants. Furthermore, I think immigrants bring unique expertise, enriching academic and research endeavors, as demonstrated by renowned scientists like Albert Einstein, who immigrated to the United States. Lastly, I believe immigration fosters global connectivity by promoting trade and cultural exchange. Therefore according to me immigration benefits a country in various way and it have a lot of positive traits

          1. i dont agree with you able immigrants can be of great help to the recieving country because they can add to the economic development of a country as you rightly said but when we think we also consider the fact that asylum seeker are also immigrants who seek refuge in other countries and some of them have little or no resources to sustain them so they a re dependent on the government of those countries who allocate fund to them from the tax paid by citizens which could have been use to do something to benefit the country but instead they are used to take of vunurable people. am not saying its bad but immigration is not totally beneficial to countries

    12. Hello fearless_mandarin
      I agree with you because I also believe that being open-minded about a topic can help us have two viewpoints about it. By listening to two opinions or viewpoints we can think more clearly about what they are trying to say. For example, my class and I were arguing about immigration because the topic was about it and I changed my opinion on some things due to what they said. When they were talking about why how they agree with Joe Biden about closing the border I was disagreeing at first but then they talked about the positive things about how it's good to close the border. That's when I changed my opinion about it. This is how it's good to be open-minded on stuff because then you can agree with them.
      Thank you

    13. I agree because everyone's opinions are very important they could be relevant to you without you even knowing it

  • People have different opinions on immigration policies because of their experiences. If someone had a good experience with immigrants before, they might be excited about having more immigrants in their country. But if they didn't enjoy their experience, they might not want more immigrants. It's important for me to listen to other people's opinions, even if I disagree with them. This way, I can better understand how people feel about the situation.

    1. I agree with your point ambitious panther. Some people may not have enjoyed the people that migrated to come and stay like the case of Ghanaians, in the year 1983, when Nigeria deported up to a million Ghanaians because they introduced crime and were taking all of the jobs, so president Shehu Shagari ordered that they should all be deported alongside all the other Africans that were not Nigerian ,at about that time Ghana had a severe drought alongside some economic issues the same goes but opposite for other countries who enjoyed the immigrants that arrived.

      1. Hello ambitious_panther,
        I agree with you, some people may have different opinions about immigrants for different reasons, and one of them is
        >FAVOUR: This is a very essential factor when it comes to opinions, people opinions might vary depending on how a particular policy or group might either profit or disbenefit them. Here is where I am heading to, look at it from the practical angle, the thing is you do not expect someone to like or have a positive opinion about something that did not benefit the person rather, it helped debit or drawback the person. And you would also not expect someone to dislike that which profits him. If the immigrants want less of divisive behavior of people towards their policies, they should try and see how their policies benefit people more than it vexes then.

        >It's important to listen to other people's opinions, even if one disagrees with them. My reason is taking for example, Imagine the president of a country not listening to people's opinion all in the name of disagreeing with it, first of all he or she would not know what to do for his or her people, would not be able to be of help or use to the nation in terms of need, which would make that person be seen as DEFICIENT. It would make the person in power to keep on working thinking that he is helping the people whereas he is building a Storey building of hatred in their hearts. Communication and understanding people are very essential skills when it comes to maintaining a peaceful environment conducive for living. And when this virtue is missing then there would be discord.

        THANK YOU.

    2. I agree because... We all have different opinions about immigration rules and immigrants. Some people feel happy that the government has strict rules because they fear for the safety of their community or country. Others feel sad or angry because they have relatives who are immigrants, or they believe it's important to help others. It all depends on our views and the policies in place. While some see rules as necessary for safety, others value compassion and family connections. Understanding each other's perspectives can help us find common ground and create policies that balance safety and support for immigrants. So, it's essential to listen to different opinions and work together to make fair decisions about immigration.

      1. Your comment suggests that immigration policy is all about the balance between safety of a host country and freedoms of those emigrating. Are there other considerations? For example, can you look up any of the following and let me know how these impact people's opinions:
        - aging populations
        - brain drain
        - finding skilled workers
        - pressure on infrastructure

        1. As I live in India, the population is a major problem faced by us daily. India already is populated enough what will happen when immigrants from outside the country will also start living in India. Not only will we face problems, but the immigrants also might face problems with housing, employment opportunities, etc. If we talk about brain drain then there might be a lot of different opinions on it. As a student, I have heard many of my classmates talking about living in the country for a better standard of life, etc. Due to immigration, not all countries can develop optimally, as many of their most skilled citizens choose to leave for more developed nations. I'm not saying they don't deserve a better life. But instead of paying all those taxes in other nations why don't we help our own nation?

        2. Hello Tiff@Topical Talk
          When we talk about an aging population, where there are fewer young people to support the community, immigration is seen as a solution. Bringing in younger workers can help boost the workforce and support social welfare systems. However, some worry this might strain resources meant for locals.
          Moreover, when it's about finding skilled workers in fields like healthcare, technology, and engineering, immigration is also seen positively by the people. It can address shortages in these areas and improve economic growth by bringing in talented individuals.
          However, there's concern about the pressure on infrastructure due to immigration. It can strain resources like housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. Rapid growth in these areas could lead to overcrowding and make it harder for everyone to access these services.

          In conclusion, immigration has both benefits and challenges. While it can help address labor shortages and support economic growth, it's important to consider its impact on resources and infrastructure. Finding a balance is key to ensuring that immigration benefits both the newcomers and the communities they join.

        3. In my opinion, considerations that would be made depend on how the government sees fit but must portray empathy and should be open to receiving them. For aging populations, many countries that deal with issues and low birth rates lead to high cases of shrinking workforces and an increase in social welfare systems.
          Secondly, the brain drain occurs when highly skilled and educated people leave their country to other countries in search of better treatment, better jobs, and many more. For instance, The reports of youth leaving the country in search of better jobs and better means to fend for their families increase with each passing day.
          Thirdly, finding skilled workers,(the opposite of brain drain in my opinion,) is where countries have shortages of skilled workers in companies in certain countries. This is where immigration is important or comes in, This is where people from other countries come in search of jobs(any job at all) just to fend for their families back home. do you think there Should be any consideration for this?
          Lastly, pressure on infrastructure is a paramount issue because immigration strains the host country's infrastructure greatly, healthcare, housing, education, and transport systems. They tend to choke the country through overcrowding, and increasing demands for public services.

      2. Yes, comprehension is crucial. We must listen carefully before analysing what we hear. People do, after all, have differing perspectives, especially those who have lived through it and can never forget how they were treated, whether it was a positive or negative experience. A single opinion cannot, however, paint a complete picture; rather, a collection of opinions can.

        1. I must commend that your comment was a lovely one but are you trying to say that we should listen to the immigrants one after the another before making the final conclusion? Don't you think that one can also be sold or carried away by just a conversation with someone?

          1. You are right but really mean listening each every immigrants but a single opinion cannot tell you a whole truth about something I feel it cannot create a whole image of something,and I feel you should also try to be practical and at the same time understanding and compassionate and by doing so I don't think a person can be carried away.

      3. I absolutely agree with you because...
        Some people feel so happy when they hear that the government of their country do not accept immigrants because they have fear for their safety. They think that immigrants might bring about tension and terrorism in their country especially those immigrants that left their country because of wars. Some feel sad when they hear this because they have compassion and pity for the safety of those immigrants as some might be their relatives. So l suggest that the government of a country should know the reason of the immigrants leaving their country before deciding to accept or reject them.
        Thanks

        1. Your point makes sense, dynamic musician, but finding out why all the immigrants left their country is not always possible. A lot of immigrants arrive at a country's borders, so it won't be possible to hear them all out. Also, it may not be that the government does not want to help them, they may just not have the means, the space and resources to do it. The government has to also keep its own citizens' welfare in mind. I get where you're coming from, though, and I think it is really great that you are concerned about immigrants' welfare. I am, and I think everyone should too.

          1. Well said invigorated_anteater.
            I understand your perspective, as it's not always feasible to understand why all immigrants leave their countries. The sheer number of immigrants arriving at a country's borders can make it impossible to hear everyone's story. Additionally, the government's capacity and resources may be limited, and they must consider the welfare of their own citizens. While I appreciate your concern for immigrants' well-being, it's essential for everyone to recognize the complexities involved and the need to address immigration issues with compassion and understanding.

    3. I strongly agree with this. As an immigrant myself, I've had many experiences like this before. I've come across people that have simply avoided me because of the simple fact I am not from the US. On the other hand, there have been people that have welcomed me with open arms and some have even related to me in some ways. It all depends on the past experiences that the individual has faced.

    4. I agree with you ambitious panther, people can have different opinions on immigration based on the advantage and disadvantages can influence their idea in both negative and the positively, talking about it positively we can say it helps in the social way of the country by interacting with new people, therefore creating and fostering a bond of love and understanding between to countries, it can help economically by more people are involved in economic activities it can bring about economical growth of that countries, by making ideas with more critical thinking from new people of that country, but one of the disadvantage is that people of that nation can develop the fear of immigrants taking their jobes and rendering them jobless, therefore the advantages and disadvantages can one in the mind of the people, which results as a different change in mind that why people have different views about the coming of the immigrants.

    5. Despite our disagreements, I believe it is crucial to hear and listen to other people's perspectives. Everyone should have the opportunity to voice their opinions, especially to promote peace and prevent violence in the land. When you argue and deny your opponent a chance to respond, that is a serious issue.

    6. I agree because... If a country knows about other country's immigration rules,it would make the country know imigration rules and even more because if you learn something, you can understand it better than your teacher and solve more equations than him/her. It may also make the country know if it's better to have more imigrants or not. It may also make the country know if the imigrants are good or if they are not, they can limit the amount of imigrants that will enter the country or even stop imigrants from entering. so it will be better to hear people's opinion.

    7. That's a good point from you but have you ever thought about the different ideas which can cause chaos in the country due to indecision among the board controlling immigrants.
      Here's my question for you do you think it is better to have group of people to decide about immigrants or only have one person who will control immigrants to avoid chaos and indecision among the board?

      1. Hi, thank you for your response. I also believe that having a group of people in charge of overseeing immigrants in a country would be beneficial. It would make it easier to keep track of them with more people involved reducing the stress load. However along with the advantages there are disadvantages too. For instance when the group makes rules for immigrants, disagreement may arise due to everyone having their own opinions. This could slow down and complicate decision making. Ultimately it depends on the individuals involved. If they can work together effectively a group approach would be ideal. However if cooperation is challenging it might be better to select the most capable person to lead the efforts.

        1. I solidly agree with your point ambitious panther, but do you think that a board controlling immigrants could easily cooperate with one another without any kind of disagreement which could affect the country's security?

    8. I agree with you that the reason a lot of people have different opinions on immigration policies is because of their experiences with such people. Yes, people will be happy if they have had exciting time with immigrants and at they can also have bad times if they do not exciting times the immigrants.It is very crucial to always listen to other peoples opinion to make them know that they are being carried along.This way a lot of people will appreciate you.

    9. Your point is very valid, however there is more to it.
      Take the one child policy in Chima for example.
      If I were a citizen of China in those trying times I would certainly not want any immigrants, because I would feel like the government is allowing people to enter the country but I can’t give birth to more than one child, you get what I mean?
      Additionally, let’s say I have prejudice against a specific race like black, or I practice antisemitism, I would most likely hate for those specific type of people to enter my country.
      In conclusion, there are a variety of reasons why a person might not acquiesce with the idea of immigration.

      1. I get your point. In China, the one-child policy could lead to mixed feelings about immigration. Prejudices or fears of change can also influence views on immigration. It's important to consider diverse perspectives on this complex issue. Understanding different viewpoints can lead to more empathetic discussions on immigration. It's crucial to acknowledge the various reasons why people may have concerns about immigration. Understanding these perspectives can lead to more meaningful conversations and potential solutions.

        Thank you.

      2. I agree with you because I heard about the new rule in China where they can't have more than one child because of too many people. So, if lots of immigrants come to their country, they might feel upset and jealous because the immigrants can have as many children as they want, but Chinese citizens can't. Do you think the rules should apply to immigrants too?
        Also, I don't really agree with your idea that people in China hate black people. Some black people have Chinese friends, and now in Nigeria, citizens of China are coming because they like the culture and food of black people. So, I think it's more about understanding each other's cultures and being friends.

    10. Thank you for sharing your view on this - how can we educate people who haven't had the best experience and change their perspective?

      1. Hey there, I believe we can help people who haven't had great experiences with immigrants understand better. Here's how:

        Firstly, we should show them how welcoming immigrants can benefit our country. When we accept immigrants, our country can become even stronger and more diverse. They bring new ideas, skills, and cultures that can make our country even cooler!

        Secondly, if immigrants have a great time here, they can tell others about how awesome our country is. This can give our country a good reputation, and more people might want to visit as tourists. And you know what? More tourists mean more money for our country like, around 20% more according to scientific research.

        Lastly, we need to remind people that not everyone is the same. Just because one person didn't have a good experience doesn't mean everyone else will be the same. It's important to give others a second chance. For example, imagine a farmer who's struggling with his crops and needs help. If an immigrant who used to be a farmer offers to help in exchange for a place to stay, the farmer could benefit a lot!

        It might also help if these people learned from someone who used to dislike immigrants but changed their mind. Psychologists have proven that sometimes when someone we trust shares their positive experiences, we start to see things differently. But hey, not everyone will change their mind easily. Some people are stubborn, and it might take more effort to convince them. And that's okay everyone has their own opinions.

        At the end of the day, it's all about being open-minded and understanding that everyone's experiences are different. Let's spread kindness and acceptance together.

      2. Hi, Aimee@TopicalTalk,
        To be frank, there are plenty of good approaches to educating people who have been through some tough stuff. It's really important to make sure educators remember the reality of what the people they're teaching are going through. So, a teaching plan that's based in empathy and understanding is always a good bet. When people can really get that the folks they're trying to help have had to develop ways to survive in a tough world, it can help build a connection that's going to make the education more effective. Then, when someone's learned about some more positive ways to deal with problems, they can start to see others' sides of things. I guess that's how you get that negativity cycle to end. It might not sound like much, but providing positive role models is another important part of educating people with challenging experiences. When people's lives have been tough, it's sometimes really hard for them to see a way out of the future that's been set by the past. But having even just one person who can show them how positive change can happen can effectively give someone a whole new way to look at the world. Self-reflection is another key skill that can really help change a negative way of seeing the world. By helping to encourage someone to think about their own feelings, actions, and thoughts in a supportive and non-judgmental way, educators can work with people to start to understand where negative attitudes come from and, more importantly, how to start changing them. Finally, the guide states that using real-life examples is something that has become very important to teaching. I mean, everywhere you look, you can see things that give some people a reason to keep negative thoughts going. When someone's only ever had things go wrong and they're told about some idealistic way that something could happen differently, it's not going to mean much. But if there are examples of people who have been through similar stuff and made a positive change, that can be really powerful for changing negative perspectives; therefore, drastic improvements in terms of communication, emotional and behavioral adaptation, and academic achievement can be observed when tailored and empathetic, rather than general and non-cohesive, strategies for teaching are used in these cases. Thank you.

  • I feel if someone has an opinion it is important for them to be heard, because if that person explains to us about why they feel that way, this would give us a broader understanding about the topic, in the case of immigration it would allow us to understand the minds of the immigrants.

    1. There will always be critics about a decision. Not everyone can agree on the same thing. For example, Poland helping Ukranian refugees may give Russia the impression that Poland is their enemy whereas Poland was maybe only trying to help innocent people affected by the war. Everyone has their differences and can therefore not always agree on the same thing.
      Listening to other people's opinions widens one's horizons and enlighten them on which decision is best for the citizens and what policy should be amended.
      Thank you.

    2. I agree because... in some cases the person that is trying to talk can be the correct person, this can also be use to save people in bad situations. This have saved many people like in the court of law you can also be use to understand order people.

    3. Highspirited_concept, thank you for your comment!

      Yes, it can be important for opinions to be heard within a rational discussion.

      However, it isn't always as simple as that when talking about immigration. The opinion can be expressed in a way which is emotional, not rational. If someone says "We shouldn't have immigration because we should keep our country for ourselves, the immigranta are different from us, they are (or could be) dangerous...", it can be heard at an emotional level. People can get scared or angry. How would you respond to this?

      1. I feel both public and private organizations could arrange seminars to both factually and emotionally inform the immigrants ,and the citizens of that country for peaceful communication and immigration processes.

  • One side is concerned that immigrants could change or weaken existing cultural practices, while the other sees diversity as valuable and opposes limits on immigration. Both views have their pros and cons. It's important to listen to others, as their insights might shift our point of view. Our own perspectives also have their limits. So, having open discussions and considering different viewpoints is vital for a deeper understanding of immigration matters.

    1. You're absolutely right, contemplative_fly.
      The concerns about cultural change and the value of diversity are two important perspectives in the immigration debate. Both sides have their pros and cons, and it's crucial to listen to others and consider their insights. Our own perspectives have limitations, and open discussions and diverse viewpoints help us gain a deeper understanding of immigration matters. Thanks for sharing that thought-provoking link!

    2. I think that immigrants can and will only strengthen cultural practices, but they may be different to what was practiced there previously. Diversity in cultures can only strengthen communities and bring people together. Having these conversations with immigrants surrounding their cultures would be vital to their integration into this new society they have entered. It is important that the immigrants accept the country they have arrived in traditions and practices, but it is important that this acceptance goes both ways.

    3. Thank you for sharing the pros and cons. Can you share your opinion on immigration and why you believe that?

      1. I think finding the sweet spot is the key - not too much, not too little. The same principle applies to immigration too. Too much of it can cause overpopulation, while too little can make people narrow-minded. So, in my opinion, immigration can be really good, but only if it's done in a balanced way. The country shouldn't become too crowded, and the migrants should be able to contribute to the country in some way.

  • Hi topical talkers!
    People have different views about immigration rules because they worry about things like jobs, culture, and helping others. Some people want stricter rules to limit immigration, while others believe in being more welcoming.

    I think It's important to listen to others, even if you disagree, because it helps us to understand different perspectives. This can make our discussions better and help us find common ground. Plus, in a democracy, hearing different opinions helps us make fair decisions that benefit everyone.

    Thank you!

    1. Absolutely, agreeable_aspect!
      People have diverse views on immigration rules due to concerns about jobs, culture, and humanitarian reasons. Some advocate for stricter rules, while others prioritize being more welcoming. I couldn't agree more that listening to others, even when we disagree, is crucial. It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives and enriches our discussions. In a democracy, hearing diverse opinions helps us make fair decisions that benefit everyone.

    2. I agree with you because if we do not listen to others, even if we disagree there will be misunderstandings and there will just be problems stacking because of that and like you said it can help us find a common ground so it can solve our problems instead of starting if we listen to each other.

  • Listening to people's opinions help in making better decisions in a topic, it also opens new ideas, one person's disagreement can open up a door that the others could not think about, divisive topics creates room for listening and that is a key factor in a conversation it also helps us to simulate the outcome of the different views which can help in choosing the best option to solve the problems. Divisive topics help us to know our mistakes so that we don't act them out, in conclusion I think that listening to other people's opininions helps in developing our intellect and helps in solving problems.
    Thank you.

  • Hello, Topical talkers.
    Personally speaking, I will like to start by saying that on all topics brought forward, we all have different opinions which gives us a wider point of reasoning towards other people's point of view. Our way of seeing immigration policies may vary as we all observe immigration policies differently. Some may see it from the aspect of using such opportunities to bring in bright individuals who may develop their country while others see it from aspects of a larger workforce thereby bringing forth easier labor and many more. Our feelings may be affected based on the impact the news has on us. Most people if not all, tend to be happy when there is good news while if there is bad news, we feel sober and unhappy.
    It is very important to hear what others have to say even if we disagree because, whatever they have to say is from their point of view and listening to others can broaden and change the way we think towards a particular discussion. Though we may disagree with others, we could later on come to a conclusion and build up a relationship and work together to achieve a goal in relation to what he/she may have quarreled or disagreed on.
    THANK YOU!

  • Hi,
    I feel that the way people feel about immigration policies differs and they all have very deep meanings, for my country Nigeria, based on experiences and news that other countries have had and heard about Nigeria, we were banned from getting entry into their country, For example places like Turkey, Seychelles etc, banned Nigerians from entry into their country at a specific period, even in Dubai, Nigerians were or are still banned from gaining access to their country because of several diplomatic disputes and other different reasons. But what really baffles me about these policies and laws are that these countries pass out these laws based on the few experiences and news they have heard but the thing is that in Nigeria we consist of approximately 226,975,553 people and truth be told they may have only judged based on about 10% , then what happens to the other 90% who have to be restricted and have to suffer and pay for the offence of others, they have to be stopped from grabbing opportunities just because other people abused those opportunities. We are not the same in any way, we may be from the same continent, country, state, ethnic group, or even village but the way a person would handle or at in a situation will not be the same as another. So yes they may be looking out for their countries and nothing is wrong with that, but such a strong barrier should not be set as it could affect a lot of people and things could get out of hand.
    Thank you!

    1. Am I correct that you feel like people from one place can be stereotyped when it comes to immigration? How can we prevent this stereotyping?

      1. Hi,
        I know that this might sound too deep but yes, as a matter of fact, I believe that people have been stereotyped especially people in my country. You see because of some of the acts of our ambassadors and citizens who have had contact with non-Nigerians we have been tagged as a corrupt and dangerous set of people and Honestly that is not entirely true, the truth is that instead of judging a group of people by the action of one of their members they should only conclude on that person character and not hold the whole group accountable for the voluntary actions of a person and that applies to this in every way and there is no true solution for this because this can only stop if people learn to stop judging a book by its cover or by the first few pages because it is more diverse and deep than you could ever imagine. People should not subject themselves to think so backwardly and jump to conclusions, or just assume many of these issues will or could be fixed. In my opinion, this is the only true solution to this because no matter what law is set you can't change the mind of a person so easily, everybody has a mind of their own so unless they decide to let go of such assumptions and look for a wider horizon nothing can be done and this in every way relates to the immigration policies made without several thinking and considerations.
        Thank you!

  • One major reason why people often have disagreements about a policy is often because of past experience. Maybe someone once agreed to the idea of migration but did not enjoy his decision due to some negative occurrences, you should not expect the same person to vote in favor of that decision next time and I think that is something that we can all understand.
    I think it is important to listen to other people's opinion so that the parties can find a common ground, build stronger relationships and be able to solve future problems. Furthermore, hearing out other people's opinions helps us to not only solve the other party's problem, but also helps us to identify where we are also at fault and listen to other people's perspective on how to solve our own fault.

  • I think some people might agree with the new policy that stops immigrants from entering the country is because they think that if the government has made this decision, it would be under the safety reasons only and some reasons in which it is important for the government to take difficult decisions. And some people might feel angry for stopping the immigrants from entering the country is because they think that the government did wrong by not helping someone or the government do not care about other people, so it totally depends on the point of view of the people to agree or disagree with the decisions made by the government, and as everyone has their own perspective, it is important to listen to each and every once to make a good decision in the end which will be agreed by most of the individuals . So I think that is it important to listen to all the opinions, whether we like it or dislike it, because in some ways the people who is speaking, has also thought something , so we should respect their thoughts, and listen to each and everyone’s point of view

    1. Are there arguments for immigration that go beyond helping or caring about people? Have any other Topical Talkers shared some benefits of immigration?

  • It's always important to hear someone else's opinion because it might shine some new light on your own belief/opinion. By this I mean that it could help you look at things with a new perspective and angle. Though you may not agree for several reasons, it's still very helpful to listen to what they have to say and just improve your overall thinking about a certain topic. Some peoples opinions may be based on what they've experienced and some others just by what they've heard. It's crucial to listen to other opinions because they help you shape and improve your own, especially in matters like this. Many people have mixed feelings and opinions about immigration. Some may agree with letting people in and some may disagree. It's a good thing to have different opinions because they help shape our perspective and how we view the world and most of its problems. Hearing others could help to change our view on certain arguments. And besides that, it doesn't hurt to listen.

    1. Thanks for your comment! I agree that listening to different perspectives on topics like this is crucial.

      What evidence and facts should we also use to help us make up our mind?

      1. Listening to other people's views is important for many reasons, such as cognitive diversity. Different perspectives can help us make better decisions by drawing from a variety of experiences and knowledge. Cognitive diversity enriches our thinking, fosters growth, and strengthens our ability to navigate a multifaceted world. We can also avoid repeating past mistakes if we listen to others and heed their advice. For example, my dad once escaped a fatal accident because he listened to and followed the tips of his fellow drivers who knew the road well. Listening to others also builds trust and respect, according to Zachary R. Wood, in his TED talk says, " engaging tactfully with controversial ideas and unfamiliar perspectives helps us build empathy and gain a deeper understanding of complex issues". It shows that we care and empathize with whosoever we are discussing with. It strengthens our relationships and cooperation, whether personal or professional. Listening does not mean agreeing, but being open to understanding, learning and appreciating the diversity of human views and experiences.

  • Disagreements will often arise in our everyday life. We are all different people and we have different ways of doing things. The world is made up of 195 countries and all of them think differently. They all see the world through different perspectives. We can't really expect everyone to think the same. Country A might not like the immigration policies of Country B. This could be because of their level of resources or ability to accomodate migrants. People have different opinions about immigration policies because they have different preferences as to how people should be treated. They have different values and principles. Nevertheless, it is important to listen to the opinions of others because we can learn a thing or two from each other. The fact that we are different countries doesn't mean we should stay separated. We can come together and hear each others views, help each other grow. Listening to other peoples opinions helps to develop our own knowledge of the world and open our brains to new possiblities.

    1. Hi,
      I agree with you, this topic is very crucial because it comes with a lot of setbacks, complex concepts, and decisions we do not understand. Like you said intelligent_orchard disagreements and disputes are bound to happen we can't escape them, be it a trivial matter or a matter of grave offense, but the way we go about is what the real deal is, Country A as you said may not be comfortable with the immigration policies of Country B, but then do you know because of the emotional and competitive mind of humans country A may decide to create more complicated laws just to make sure that they do not look like they are the weak ones. I know that this may seem like a reason that doesn't make sense but after several considerations and analysis, I found out that these could also be a reason for all these outrageous immigration policies that are made and I would like to know if you think the same to? Caring about people's views and very crucial and paramount especially in matters like this, because these laws and policies affect a wide range of people. So I agree with you when you say that we coming together to listen to each others opinions and perspectives of things to ensure our healthy growth and develop knowledge.
      Helen Keller once said that “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
      Thank you!

  • People have such different opinions about immigration policies because of their viewpoints in the situation. For example if in a country, feel clustered and disturbed by the increasing number of immigrants because they are taking up too many jobs causing unemployment among youths and the number of available asylums are reducing due to the number of refugees coming in, the people will have very different opinion about the immigration policies as they would want the number of immigrants reduced in order to save national resources for those present in the country. Whereas, refugees and incoming immigrants won't be pleased by policies like this, mainly due to their current situation, some might be leaving their countries due to natural disasters, lack of security ( like refugees ) and bad weather. These people will want the rules based on immigration bent in their favour, as they don't want to live in their present locations. All the people's viewpoints on both or more sides are important and essential to look at as they have good reasons backing it up. The best way to operate polices, to seem fair, respect these different opinions based on immigration, is to make decisions that ensure all sides that their opinions matter, view from all perspectives and make policies that even if not fully, to some extent make life better and bearable for them. This can be for example : reducing the number of immigrants entering a country, from 70 to 50 per month while at the same time building inns and care homes free of charge for people and refugees at the border to use .

  • Hi ,
    I personally think that countries may have very diverse opinions and policies on immigration because of their different countries status . What I mean by this is a country may not allow immigrants in if they do not physically have enough room for them in the country for them to be safe .
    I think that people may have very diverse opinions as their family may have been through something similar . When somebody relates to their story it is going to make them want to help more . Whereas if nothing has happened to you or family like that ever you will not know what it it feels like to be in that situation .
    I think it is very important that you listen to other people opinions even if you don't agree them because you never know what it is like to be in somebodies shoes until you have to do it so you should not judge . You should be polite and listen to their opinion with a open mind .

  • Many people have different opinions about immigration policies because of how they were opened to immigration. Some people might have good experience with immigration like moving into a better life or place. Some might not like their experience with immigration because of how they got to the other land. Many people have different perspectives of immigration and it is understandable. There are many diverse opinions about this topic and I'm excited to see what others think.

    1. Can you explain why people might have different perspectives on immigration?

      1. Hi Aimee I would like to answer your question,
        Different people might have different perspectives on immigration. Let's say for example. I think it's good that people come to a different country. I think this because there are a lot of immigrants that come to that country to find better education, health care, and jobs. I think this is good for the country and the immigrants. But people might have the opposite perspective. They might think that it's horrible. They say that they should close the border because their safety is in danger. Many of the immigrants come to that country just to escape from prison or from anything bad that they did.

  • It is important to hear everyone's opinions even if we disagree with them. This is because although we personally might not agree, it will make the other parties feel heard when you patiently listen without judgment. As well, listening will allow you to be sympathetic and empathetic towards the parties speaking and consider their side to the story and understand their points of view. For example when on the subject of immigration, listening to the grievances of others and speaking with them will allow for a more inclusive safe place for these people looking to migrate for their various ways. When considering the viewpoints of others we allow for ourselves to have an open mind and sympathize with others, leading to a less divisive future against others and a voice for all.

  • In my considered perspective, people often share different opinions about migration policies due to various factors such as cultural backgrounds, political interests , economist interests etc. For example, a person who is more liberal in nature might prioritise policies concerning humanitarian concerns to easily accommodate and help the refugees or immigrants coming from another nation such as asylum seekers. On the other hand a person with conservative believes may support strict policies regarding immigration for sovereignty and national security.
    However, it is very crucial to hear other peoples opinions even if one disagrees with them as it may provide a person with news insights into the topic and in some cases, may even change their opinion. It allows individuals to view things from various perspectives and broadens their views. Listening to different opinions promotes tolerance, cooperation and ideas of inclusivity. It also fosters a sense of patience.

    Thank you!

  • Hello!
    One thing that I believe America has a problem with is opinions. You can say what you want, but if it's true, ask Twitter.
    Due to this, one of the biggest problems has multiple threads and that problem is immigration. Now, I don't know much about immigration so I can't speak on it, but I've seen what these immigrants go through before they even reach the border and it's bleak. Many people get kidnapped, trafficked, and worse, just so they can have a better life! Now, I feel like people should realize that immigration policies are strict, and for good reason! We should listen to all opinions and here's why I have my opinion!

    According to an immigration policy article by John D. Skrentny, a professor at the University of California San Diego, "Immigration policy is an increasingly important part of economic growth and development around the world because nearly all industrialized states face a set of common challenges relating to the sustainability of their economic growth and welfare states. " To me, this means that immigration itself is good for growth! So, say a drug smuggler were to get over the border and start selling drugs? America would be in great turmoil. These reasons are why we should respect opinions because they make sense to some people!

  • It is very important to hear the opinion of everyone even though we disagree with them because topics like immigration have very significant impact on their resources, economy and citizens . This is because some people are very supportive towards immigrants and want the government to warmly welcome citizens of other countries , but these people according to me are not looking at an bigger picture , thus a few countries who welcomed Immigrants with minimum rules they have faced grave side effects like national security or economical crisis. But there view is also not wrong as those who think that there should be strict rules for these people are at some point thinking from a personnel yet selfish perspective, not keeping in mind the condition of those who left there country for some or the other reason.