A framework of who gets benefits is impossible—either we give too much or we leave people behind.
Frum, 14 [David, journalist at the Atlantic, 6-3-2014, ‘The Impossibility of Reparations’, The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/06/the-impossibility-of-reparations/372041/ //alundy]
2) The question of who qualifies will become ever more contested and embittered.
Under today’s racial preference rules, a nephew of the King of Spain or the daughter of the chairman of the biggest bank in Chile would both qualify for Hispanic preferences if they resided in the United States. Harvard can (and does) meet its African American diversity requirements with the children of recent African immigrants, whose families never experienced slavery or segregation in this country.
The problem of “who qualifies?” is explosive enough with hiring and admissions preferences. As the benefits at stake expand to the vast dimensions urged by Coates, the question will become more explosive yet. Does a mixed-race person qualify? How mixed? What about recent immigrants from Africa or the West Indies? What about future immigrants? What about illegal immigrants from Africa who subsequently gain legalization—would amnesty come with a check attached?