rational and thoughtful opinion piece<\/a> about immigration.<\/p>\nRather than treating opponents of unchecked immigration as a bunch of racist, xenophobic yahoos who aren\u2019t intelligent enough to understand what\u2019s in their own best interest, Ip actually acknowledges that their concerns are legitimate.<\/span><\/p>\nFor starters, Ip concedes that in an era of globalization there is an important qualitative difference between the free movement of goods and capital, and the free movement of people wishing to settle in other countries. \u201cForeign-born people affect the makeup of society in a way that a foreign-made car or a foreign-owned factory doesn\u2019t,\u201d he writes. Referencing last week\u2019s Brexit, Ip postulates that, \u201cBritons would have no doubt stayed in the EU\u2019s single market for goods, services and capital if they could opt out of the single market in labor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nContrary to how the elites in the financial centers in New York or London might view the world, people outside these hubs view it differently. Nations are not merely economies. Economies are important, but there are many other things that people value as much or more. These include culture, language, a sense of identity, and a sense of control over one\u2019s own destiny \u2013 concepts that may be entirely alien to the global elite, but which are important and legitimate concerns to most everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\nFrom there, Ip offers up the truly radical notion that immigration policies \u2013 be they Britain\u2019s or America\u2019s \u2013 must serve the interests of their citizens. Governments must control \u201cthe number and composition of immigrants so citizens believe immigration policy is in the country\u2019s best interests, not the immigrants\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nEven more importantly, Ip dismisses the frequent characterization of those who oppose open borders as racists and xenophobes. Throughout the Western world, he notes, opposition to mass immigration has less to do with the immigrants\u2019 race or national origin, but with their likelihood to make positive contributions and assimilate into the host society. \u201cRace is a factor, but not a dominant one, whereas culture and assimilation matter a lot. The researchers find that people care more about the language immigrants speak than their skin color or national origin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nMoving forward, Ip suggests a shift to a merit-based immigration policy that emulates the point system used by Australia and Canada. (Regrettably, he also supports amnesty for current illegal aliens. But, he does write for the Wall Street Journal after all.)<\/span><\/p>\nTo be sure, there are still many differences between Ip\u2019s and the Journal\u2019s views on immigration reform and those of FAIR. But the fact that one of the Journal\u2019s columnists is willing to acknowledge and respectfully discuss the concerns of those on the other side is an important step in the right direction. That is, if Ip still has his job tomorrow.<\/span>