Though he said some critics call him a racist because he patrols the United States-Mexico border as a minuteman volunteer, Carl Braun said he patrols to ensure the safety and economic success of the United States.
“I’m concerned about what unchecked legal and illegal immigration is doing to our country. To suggest the borders (of the U.S.) go away are an exercise in fantasy,” said Braun, the executive director of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of California, a group that regulates border security between Mexico and the U.S.
Braun and Yaron Brook, the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, an organization that helps spread Rand’s philosophical theory of objectivism, participated in a debate on immigration on Tuesday night hosted by L.O.G.I.C. (Liberty, Objectivism, Greed, Individualism and Capitalism).
During the debate ““ titled “Immigration: Let Them In or Keep Them Out?” ““ the speakers discussed border policies and the economic impact of immigration on the U.S.
No protests or demonstrations interrupted the debate, though almost 20 university police officers scattered the area in case of such an occurrence.
L.O.G.I.C. originally planned to hold the debate in February but had to cancel at the last minute because they could not pay for security the UCLA administration required in expectation of protests.
While some say the U.S.-Mexico border should open up for all immigrants, others say the border should be closed so that no immigrants can enter into the U.S. ““ both legally and illegally.
The speakers discussed whether immigration into the U.S. should be unregulated and the effects of such policies.
Brook said he believes immigration in any form is essential to economic success and argued the U.S. government has no right to prohibit individual rights and freedom, including the right to immigrate.
“Immigration is good for America. The more immigration the better: The more minds, the more creativity, and more thinking productively means more wealth being created,” Brooks said.
In opposition, Braun said immigration into the U.S. should be controlled because many immigrants take away jobs from skilled American workers and are a burden to American taxpayers.
“The U.S. will no longer be able to support an unskilled and impoverished population. We will see the impoverished exceed the middle class,” he said.
Both Braun and Brook said they chose to speak at the debate because the issue is so important to the U.S.
Braun said he addresses immigration issues at universities around the country to ensure that students understand the current border situations, because they will one day manage the country.
“The very difficult topic of immigration is really going to rest on (young people’s) shoulders,” Braun said.
Some students said they attended the debate because its controversial nature attracted their attention.
Natalie Shell, a fourth-year atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences student, said she expected the speakers to be interesting because they present two polarized opinions, and she was surprised no protesters were present.
Many audience members were surprised at the low attendance of the event, and some said students chose to participate in International Workers’ Day activities ““ held annually on May 1 in honor of workers’ rights ““ instead of protesting at the debate.
“If it wasn’t May 1, a lot of people would be here,” said Hector Pena, a fourth-year Chicano and Chicana studies and American literature student.
Pena said he believed a lot of students participated in a march in downtown Los Angeles during the day and were not able to attend the debate.