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immigration must be reformed
Published Monday, August 17, 2009
President Barack Obama has recently stated he is too busy with other things to give attention to immigration reform. But prompt and substantial reform is needed. Much of the conflict we suffer over immigration is consequent to ineffective laws and inadequate enforcement.
The blatant lack of enforcement frustrates my sense of fairness and decency. A judge told me he has given up notifying federal agents when he is about to release an individual whom he knows to be in the country illegally. Not once has any federal agent arrived to take the illegal into custody. Police have told me of handing an illegal alien over to federal authorities after having discovered his status while arresting for a criminal act. Then they picked up the same individual a few weeks later for the same offense.
Our immigration policies and procedures are failing miserably. Illegally aliens are getting into the country daily and many operate here for years without ever being apprehended. At the same time, many legal immigrants are held in suspicion and being treated unfairly although they meet every legal requirement. We can’t tell if existing laws are to blame until we actually enforce them.
The need for substantial immigration reform is at the critical stage. Such reform must be reasonable, realistic, and fair to be effective. It must be morally right more than politically correct. It must be economically and socially effective more than politically convenient or advantageous.
There are so many known illegal aliens in this country now and so many have been here for so long, we are in over our heads. It would be impossible to correct all the errors we have already made. So, I don’t know how any reform can be successful without a reasonable amount of amnesty. If the government were able to identify every illegal here, it would tie up federal courts for years to process them. If deportation were successfully authorized for them all, it would take years more just to transport them back to countries of origin.
Yet, we dare not grant amnesty to every person here illegally. Among them, there is sure to be many dangerous criminals whom we cannot endure.
A popular suggestion is to offer amnesty to any illegal alien who will self-identify within a stipulated period. At least a legal status would then be offered to each unless disqualified by some major factor such as a felony conviction. An alternative would be to deport most who identify themselves but grant preference for their admissions application. Following this period, every remaining illegal alien would be deported with only an administrative hearing, and every new illegal entry would so be deported immediately. Both groups would be permanently denied future legal status.
While there is much to be said for such a radical procedure, I suspect we would find it too ungainly to operate fairly.
The nonsense term “undocumented worker” is invalid also because it presumes they are, in fact, workers. Worse is the fact most are, in fact, “documented.” They are over-documented with any number of fake and forged documents. We need to develop effective methods of making valid documents secure and recognize false documents.
I know of a man arrested with a stolen Social Security number. When this number was run through the federal system, they found 12 people in various parts of the country using the same number. At least eleven are false, but I wonder what the income tax bill is for the one person to whom the number was actually issued.
I think we have a major problem with employers who know — or could know if they wished to know — they have hired illegal aliens. I feel they need to be held accountable for whom they hire. Of course, the documentation problem needs to be solved before this can be done fairly.
So, what should be the nature and extent of immigration reform? I don’t know. I am observing and here comment, but those whose job it is to propose such reform need to work on it full-time.
The president needs to pay attention. Our part comes in voting for those who will.
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Comments
Posted by wandagb (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We must insist the E-Verify is implemented throughout the country. It works.
In the meantime, have an insightful chuckle...
Youtube - "Amnesty Downfall" the hero of which is Roy Beck
Youtube - "Immigration Gumballs"
Posted by Torie (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, we need to enforce the laws as they are. Amnesty for those who have been here the longest illegally? Why? I doubt seriously an American would be treated as well in countries that think we need to take their citizens to raise. Mexico wants immigration reform because they are tired of us trying to send their citizens back to them.
Posted by Brittanicus (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If there was ever a time for a national referendum--THEN THIS IS DEFINITELY IT? Of all the issues the ones that will influence the American peoples economy, culture, language and society for decades to come, is Health care and illegal immigration. Neither political party, special interest lobbyists nor anybody else should be able to use their influence the running of our country. The United States--VOTER--should have the last word, not corrupt members of the Democratic leadership, the Republican minority party and certainly not La Raza or ACLU, US Chamber of Commerce, Council of Foreign Relations, Cato Institute, billionaire George Soros, Ford Foundation and a multitude of self interest groups. In health care the insurance companies have used their political currency, to weaken any prospect of a Canadian or European style public health care option. 2/3 of America insist on the single payer system like Canada and the European developed nations.
The rest of these despicable organizations want the free flow of cheap labor that is already swarming across our nation, even though we are in a deep recession and millions of US citizens and legal residence are jobless. As I speak 1.5 million new immigrants entered America and that's not counting the illegal aliens who extract from taxpayers everyday. Our politicians can no longer demand of the people, to pay for foreign national health care, when they cannot afford it for their own families? How many more years are the people to be dictated to the power of profiteering insurance companies? How many decades must taxpayers is forced to pay for illegal immigrants and families, who have already broken our laws of sovereignty and expect to be rewarded with another blanket AMNESTY.
How can we assume our legislators to honor the “Rule of Law”, when they have already stone-walled us over the 1986 immigration enforcement law? Millions of loyal Americans who have already commanded E-Verify extraction tool in the workplace (section of the SAVE ACT) 287 G police enforcement, no match letter and the ICE raids of illegal immigrant. But we must maintain the bombardment if you want a health care public option choice? Whether you want to keep on supporting the impoverished, unschooled of foreign nations that skirt our laws? CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FOR WHAT YOU WANT AT 202-224-3121? NOT WHAT THE SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBY HAS PAID FOR? Read about the trillions to be spent on giving AMNESTY to illegal immigrants at the Heritage Foundation. GOOGLE more facts on the web, or search for the truth at NUMBERSUSA.
Observe this PETITION to STOP any health care to illegal immigrants at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/nohealt...
Posted by BlackSaint (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then there is the straw man Argument this Nation cannot afford to deport 12 million invading Criminals when the problem is we cannot afford to not deport them!
Never noting if our Corrupt/Pandering/Lawless politicians had abide by our Constitution and enforced our Laws there would not be 12 millions to deport. Even worse, there is not 12 million but between 20 and 30 million but the government prefers to lie and down play the number! ( Same as the 1986 Amnesty was more than double the government estimate, so will this one be) At any rate deportation would save billions in the long run over what they will cost this Nation in welfare in the coming years. Every person with less that a high school education cost a average of 55 thousand over their life time, so apply that times the 12 million plus all their relatives & their relatives in a never ending chain & deportation would be a great bargain and save trillions in the coming years! But deportations is not necessary, just close our borders and enforcing our Laws with E-Verify. Fine companies, imprison executives and cut out the welfare they will self deport. No jobs, No Welfare equals no Illegal Aliens!
The flood of immigrants drives wages and living conditions in our central cities toward those of the Third World & has already destroyed Calif..
This tidal wave imposes sprawl, gridlock, pollution, and environmental damage on our metropolitan areas & Nation.
Immigrant families needing services overwhelm our schools, taxpayer-funded health care facilities, and other public agencies.
Those requiring services don’t assimilate and, instead, expect to be served in their native languages.
American civic culture frays as each ethnic group establishes its own grievance lobby and pushes for preferences.
Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (new, drug-resistant strains) return & New diseases like Mexican Swine flu break out!
Shortages of water and other resources loom, especially in immigration-blitzed Southwest.
Most that come across our open borders come from countries where, Crime, Corruption, Poverty, Misery, Anti-education, and hate for Americans has existed for centuries and is normal. Should anyone be surprised they bring those same family values across the border with them?
Posted by NotFromHere (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the sake of discussion...outside of the illegal border crossing (a legitimate issue) what is the problem with the immigrants? I mean, if we had expanded our immigration quotas enough to allow them in would there be the same uproar? Without looking what is the current allotment of visas to Mexican citizens? From 1998 to 2007 there were 9.3 million legal immigrants (for all countries into the US) - using the 1.5 million number above Britannicus offered above would you have voted for a different senator/congressman/president if the annual number was 150,000 higher? Probably not, we never question the govt number but get pissed that someone "gamed the system".
Given that a fair number of illegals that are employed (the whole reason they make the trip), and given that many US employers find a need to hire this labor force should we not be more upset with the govt mismanaging immigration quotas and missing the mark? Basic application of economics shows us that this is a simple supply and demand problem. Would you risk imprisonment in a Canadian jail for no good reason? How about for a salary 5 times your current salary with only a small chance of being caught? I'd be practicing my "Oh Canada" and buying a Canucks jersey on my way to the border.
We don't give Obama a pass on running health care but we assume he knows how to determine the right amount of immigration?
Posted by knight777 (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very
Good comments Brittanicus and BlackSaint.
Alcorn's comments are just "surfing remarks"...he refuses to get wet and walk-his-talk. Articles such as his are meaningless toward solutions and facts .... just feelings.
Amnesty ! NO! Deportation by attrition! YES! Enforce Federal Immigration Laws!! Use E-Verify. State and local law enforcement must support the 287(g) program.
Welfare agencies, medical centers, educational institutions,
law enforcement, all state and local licensing departments,
all employers, landlords, (and more) have to be made aware of and subject to penalities for violation of illegal immigration laws.
Those aiding and abetting illegal aliens should be fined and jailed. This includes the "churches" putting their religious doctrine above United States Federal Law.
The United States has given 7 previous amnesties to illegal immigrates in the past. Did not solve the mass invasion problems. Never will. And yet we hear the word "amnesty" time and again .... disguised under the words "immigration reform". Don't let these people fool you again.
The cost at all levels of our economy, culture, language, criminals, drugs, birthing, environmental, of illegal immigration is enormous. Those who say that illegals are good for America, they pay taxes, they contribute, ...refuse to know the truth.
Mexican illegals send more that 16- 20 Billion ...BACK TO MEXICO...EVERY YEAR....American dollars taken from jobs in America, taken from our economy, and spent in Mexico.
The 3 Amegios met again in Mexico to discuss "SPP". If you do not know what this is ....please educate yourself. Take a look at NAFTA and CAFTA... (and more).
Look at "TOTALIZATION". NAFTA Super Corridor.
Seek out what is being taught in our schools that is directed to destroy America.
Pages could be written. The best solution is to do the research. Examples: NUMBERSUSA, American Patrol, United for a Sovereign America (USA). Illegal Immigration Counters, Heritage, FAIR, ... and the list could reach 30 sites.
Check out the Federal Immigration Laws. Penalities for Employing Undocumented Workers (274A UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS SEC. 274a [8 U.S.C. 1324a]
Title 8 Seciton 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii) of the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
Title 8 Section 1325...Illegal Immigration is a Crime.
All of us are asking..."why aren't federal immigration laws enforced"? Look to the elites, the diversity cults, big business and industry, the US Chamber of Commerce, the huge and well funded liberal foundations, some Churches, Council of Foreign Relations, crooked politicians, and the "new world order" cult.... and more.
Understand what this government is doing to our Constitution and the freedoms we have. It must stop.
Take a good look at the government today. Time is running out America. Stand up and be heard. Your screams will not not be heard when it is too late.
Posted by DelawareBob (anonymous) on August 17, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WE DO NOT NEED REFORM! We need our immigration laws enforced to free this Country of the illegal aliens.
Illegal aliens have made America the dumping ground for all their illegal alien children, then we have to school them and give them free medical care.
I for one, am sick and tired of these ILLEGAL ALIENS snubbing their nose at our immigration laws and the many other laws of this Country. If our Federal Government can not ENFORCE our immigration laws, and get these ILLEGAL ALIENS out of this Country, then let the States do it! One way or another, an end has to come to this illegal immigration, and not with AMNESTY! Amnesty will only encourage more ILLEGAL ALIENS to invade our Country and reward those who broke our laws and raped the American taxpayer in many ways...depressing our wages, taking our jobs, overwhelming our schools with their ILLEGAL ALIEN children, driving without a license or car insurance, all the crime from stolen identities to rape, drugs and everything else.
It's time for ZERO TOLERENCE with these ILLEGAL ALIENS. It's time for them get out of this Country and back in their own Country where they belong. When we get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIENS, we will get rid of all the problems that go with them. THAT IS A FACT!
No more amnesty! ENFORCE the law!
Posted by AnonymousCitizen (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 3:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a massive problem that it's almost beyond comprehension. The easiest and most effective way to deal with this problem is to revamp the social security cards. Put a picture and biometric (ie fingerprint or retinal scan) of the lawful bearer on the SS card. Then verify the information prior to gaining employment. This would render the card useless to anyone except the actual owner of the card. Take away the ability to work and the problem goes away.
Nothing like this will ever happen, because big business runs Washington.
Posted by Grumpus (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Read John Perkins' book "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man," and you'll begin to understand the corporotocracy that runs everything in this country. Obama is merely a puppet. Illegal immigrants and the business savings their presence implies are good for the corporate bottom line.
Idiots like Nancy Pelosi (and the idiot Californians that voted her into office) see illegals and their impending amnesty as the formation of a new Democrat voting bloc.
Your well-being never enters the minds of the controlling corpotocracy. You are economic slaves of the World Bank, the IMF, and other entities who are out to destroy American sovreignty and its middle class. Your President is their puppet, and your Congressmen are self-interested power-mad toads.
Who do you really think is going to deliver us from this nightmare?
Posted by Littletoad (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a child growing up in the 60's we always heard of over population issues of various countries thru out the world....now years later, never would I of thought that big business and big government would take such advantage of this issue by moving jobs overseas and in the case of Mexico, not securing the borders and thereby screwing the American Public. It just goes to show you how screwed up the system is if a country such as Mexico with it's runaway population issues is ulitimately rewarded with the jobs either by the jobs moving to that country or their citizens moving here. These issues are played under the mantra of Globialization and the American Public is being played like a dog chasing its tail which will always be just out of reach.
I love it when I see these liberal leaning American politicians bash a country like China with it's policy of 1 child per married couple in hopes of bringing the population under control as being somehow backward thinking and abusive of human rights....I actually had a chinese housemate once who had a brother that died of starvation....he said it was not a kindly sight to see ones brother die in such a manner and not able to do anything about it....so he never thought such a policy was out of line. Regardless, our idiotic politicians will always twist it around as if they have no clue as to the reality of the situation.
Posted by Austinalum (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do you keep electing Democrats like Waltz if you don't want more illegal immigration? Everyone knows it is the policy of the Democratic Party to encourage illegal immigration in the expectation that they will all become Democratic voters, whether voting legally or not. You are getting what you asked for in voting for these robot democrat politicians who let Nancy Pelosi dictate their votes, as opposed to their constituents.
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