I rarely read Vox.com for one simple reason. Without exception every article I’ve ever read there reminds me of nothing so much as one of those cartoons you used to see in the newspaper with the caption “How many things can you find wrong with this picture?” This post with the title “Canada is the least xenophobic country in the Western world. Here’s why.” fits the model.
It’s basically nonsensical to compare Canada’s immigration with that of any other country and particularly with that of the United States. That’s true for dozens of reasons but let’s just consider one: educational attainment. Here’s the scoop on the level of educational attainment of Canada’s immigrants:
Since 1991, educational attainment has increased across the board. The proportion of native-born Canadians with a university degree rose from 16% for men and 13% for women in 1991 to 19% and 23% in 2006 (Chart B). Among recent immigrants, the increase was much larger. In 2006, 58% of recent male immigrants and 49% of recent female immigrants had at least a bachelor’s degree. The increase for immigrants who arrived 11 to 15 years ago was comparable to the increase for native-born Canadians. In 2006, the former had a slightly higher proportion with university degrees: around 28% of men and women.
Canada is much more selective in whom it admits to the country. That’s the long and the short of it. It stands to reason the Canadians would like their immigrants more than we or the French do. They selected the immigrants rather than the other way around.
Here’s my modest proposal. Get rid of illegal immigrants, diversity credits, family reunification credits, and L-1 visas and then come back in 15 years. I suspect that the U. S. attitude towards immigration would be a lot more like Canada’s.
