Recently, Rep. Becca Balint — a Democrat and outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate — made a crude comment about immigrants. In an attempt to emphasize the need for legal immigration, she crossed a line that reveals a deeply condescending and utilitarian view of immigrants:
“If we don’t have avenues for people to come here legally to work or to build a home here … We’re not going to have anybody around to wipe our asses because we don’t have enough people.”
The Hidden Contempt Behind “Compassionate” Immigration
When politicians speak about immigrants solely in terms of the labor they can perform — particularly in the most degrading ways possible — it reveals what they really think of the people they claim to defend. Rep. Balint’s statement wasn’t just insensitive. It reduced immigrants to nothing more than tools for menial labor, whose primary value is in servicing others.
That is not progressive. That is not inclusive. That is dehumanizing.
My Take as an Immigrant
As an immigrant myself, I am offended by the implication that my presence — or the presence of anyone who moves to a new country in search of opportunity — should be justified by the dirtiest job I’m willing to do.
Let’s be clear: We do need immigrants, but we need to treat them with dignity and respect. That begins by recognizing their humanity, not by using them to fill labor shortages in ways that make them disposable.
What we don’t need, however, is illegal immigration or entitlement. We should welcome legal immigrants who come here to work, contribute, start businesses, and enrich our communities — not people who come to exploit the system or collect government benefits without contributing.
Immigration Policy Should Reflect Values — Not Desperation
We’re seeing a worrying trend among some progressive politicians: using guilt or fear to justify poor immigration policies. Saying “we need more immigrants to wipe our asses” is not a policy — it’s a cry of desperation dressed in elitist disdain.
Immigration should be about opportunity, contribution, and shared values. Not filling labor shortages in the lowest-paying, least respected jobs.
A Final Thought
If the only way we can justify immigration is by pointing to the jobs Americans won’t do, then we need to take a hard look at how we value work — and people — in this country.
Let’s do better.
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