>they think they can escape a repressive political climate and bleak economic prospects in the US
This is what happens when you watch too much TV.
While true, and I am hardly a simp for laws and political climate in the US, for me the key distinction is that in the US (and other liberal democracies) you at least have the agency to do something to improve your situation.
Those who have not lived under oppressive authoritarian regimes don't have the lived-through perspective of hopelessness that comes from knowing your hands are bound, and there's not much you can do to get out of the situation, outside of migrating to another country.
Now the reality for regulatory capture and smooth talking politicians convincing people to vote against their best interests in the West may not in reality result in really personal agency, the mere prospect of being allowed to do something about your situation itself is a powerful motivator.
My life will never get better and I live in hell, fuck off with your "you at least have the agency to do something to improve your situation." There's nothing I can fucking do either!
You only have agency if you have money. I will never retire unless I take out a 9mm plan.
New Sinophobic article just dropped:
Chinese people don't have agency, anonymous source told RFA
Half of Americans may be living paycheck to paycheck and burdened with unplayable debt, but at least they have the agency to change their situation
Give it a few years, we'll understand real authoritarianism soon enough as Americans.
I wonder what the net worth and "business" background of these migrants is.
Canada for example got a wave of migrants from Hong Kong after 1997, most of them private business owners and wealthy individuals who didn't want their capital to be "oppressed."
There's a really tragic documentary where a similar thing happens to young kids from Central America so they do the trek up alone because they are essentially just believing Hollywood propaganda lies about the US.
Which Way Home. I really recommend it.
