Culling.

The word, culling, has been on my mind for several years now. Culling typically refers to how wildlife controls the population. In the broader definition, it is to select from a group, to reduce or control the size of (something, such as a herd) by removal (as by hunting or slaughter) of especially weak or sick individuals.

The second definition by Merriam-Webster, to reduce or control the size of by removal of especially weak individuals, reminds me of MAGA's agenda and President Trump's Executive Orders on unlawful entry and unlawful residency, more commonly referred to as illegal immigrants. To pay for the culling, Congress is considering making cuts in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Is that to cull the poor and sick?

There is a very clear option of taxing employers who sponsor H1B visas. Thousands of companies sponsor foreign employees because they claim that the knowledge and skills required for the jobs cannot be found among American citizens and Permanent Residents (green card holders). Tesla, Meta, Google, Amazon, and Apple have voiced that they need these specialty job visa employees to stay competitive in the world market. That means they are contributing to billions of dollars in revenue, so these companies shouldn't have a problem paying $50,000 per year for each H1B visa-sponsored employee. In addition, they can triple the current existing fees for the H1B visa applications. Why punish the poor and sick when there are companies benefiting in billions of dollars by bringing foreign workforce into the nation? Why not have the visa program pay for President Trump's border walls, enforcement, and mass deportation? Immigration enforcement costs should be paid by those benefiting from entry visas.

It is a cruel word, culling; however, nature has shown that is how wildlife animals often survive and thrive. Just in case, I would like to remind everyone that we are humans and not wildlife animals. You may be confused since I've not been shy about my perspective on unlawful entry and residency. I advocate that this nation needs to enforce immigration laws. Policies and Executive Orders are not the laws of this nation. I am against open and closed borders. I believe in controlled borders. I believe in providing emergency sanctuary to those fleeing from war, political and religious massacres, and ethnic cleansing. I pointedly left out poverty.

We should have a healthy number of new permanent residents on an annual basis. Perhaps a maximum number of new permanent residents on an annual basis with a fair and expedient application process. How about preferential to certain types of occupations that connect them to employment? I'm thinking of farm workers and other manual labor work such as construction. Instead of having them struggle as day laborers and live in fear under immigration policies and executive orders, how about we enforce the laws of this nation, provide lawful residency, and give them protection under the law? How about providing stability to folks rather than policies and executive orders that change with every new administration or political preference?

Is it even possible to untangle the chaos of today's realities so we can do better without securing our borders and mass deportations first? If the word culling sounds too cruel, how about thinning? Do we need to thin this nation's population? Before the fires, Los Angeles already had more than 70,000 homeless people. Homeless encampments without water and toilets have become part of the county as the Hollywood sign is. People, particularly seniors, are pushed out to the streets due to a lack of affordable housing. That word, lack, is severely understated. What would happen, especially in the affordable housing sector, if Los Angeles's population thinned?

What would happen at the local social service agencies, NGOs, and nonprofits that are overwhelmed and lack resources? While unlawful residents can't directly receive federal aid, they can receive aid from local government agencies such as in Los Angeles. Would thinning the population free up resources so its impact on those they reach can be greater? What will happen when we have fewer folks to shelter, educate, service, provide aid, and police? Of course, there is the flip side to thinning the population. We will lose their contribution to taxes. The math certainly isn't easy.

Some local government agencies, NGOs, and nonprofits receive federal funds to sustain their operation. What will happen now that President Trump has ordered not to provide federal funds to local agencies that provide aid to illegal immigrants? Historically sanctuary places from federal raids such as schools, churches, and hospitals are no longer protected from federal raids under President Trump. Local officials are now threatened with federal investigations and communities are threatened with ceasing of federal aid in sanctuary communities.

Do we all drown or save ourselves? And, who are ourselves? That word... Culling lingered on my mind for years until President Trump returned to the White House. For the last few days, it has been dominating my thoughts, stirring uneasiness.

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