The immigration debate currently taking place all across the country is long overdue for its limelight. Since 9/11 the federal government has done very little, if anything, to assure those who elect them to office that they are serious about the security of our borders. Just this week the feds released a report that undercover agents had successfully smuggled a makeshift dirty bomb into America by using counterfeit documents. Four and a half years after 9/11 this is a disgrace.
Popular estimates place the number of illegal immigrants in this country somewhere between 11-12 million, almost half the entire population of Canada. The current legislation passed in the House would make every single one of those 11-12 million people felons. In addition, the Republican legislation would also make anyone who may provide aid to those illegal immigrants felons as well. For instance, if a doctor sets the broken bone of an illegal immigrant that doctor can be charged with aiding and abetting a felon, a felony in itself. The legislation would also make a Good Samaritan who may stop and help a stranded motorist change a tire on the side of the road a felon. WWJD?
Some on the right, including elected officials, are calling for the deportation of all 11-12 million people who are here illegally. That 19th century tone is sad rhetoric for a country that is the most progressive immigrant nation on earth. None of us need to be reminded of the sacrifices from immigrants, legal, illegal and slave alike that have been bestowed upon this nation. Considering that the federal government couldn’t even succeed in deporting a few thousand refugees away from Hurricane Katrina, it is extremely doubtful that Bush’s government is competent enough to carry out such a large scale operation in the first place.
Wiser, more level heads need to prevail in this debate. Those people who are here illegally are already breaking the law. And how is that any different than the indicted Republican leadership? Current laws need to be enforced rather than creating new, very strict, discriminatory laws that will make doctors and Good Samaritans felons along with those who came to this country to partake in this Dream that we so insist should be defended preemptively. That doesn’t mean that current laws shouldn’t be strengthened and geared more for the 21st century and all the threats that may entail. But strengthening current law doesn’t require the felonization of entire groups whose only crime is wanting a better life. One wouldn’t have to look very far either to discover that every hijacker on that dreaded September day was here legally.
Tags:
Bush, Guard the Borders-- and Face the Facts Too, Immigration
3.31.2006
Posted by Chris at 7:18 AM
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7 comments:
The Good Samaritan concerns raised by you and the junior senator from New York will be addressed in even the toughest of legislation passed by the Senate and House. Doctors will be allowed to provide for basic emergency care if only because an immigrant, legal or not, has a right to it. And pastors will be allowed to provide illegal immigrants seeking relief from spousal abuse, etc as well.
Good Samaritans will not and should not be prosecuted for such aid provided that they report the immigrant's status to the appropriate legal authorities who will need to take custody over an "undocumented" immigrant as soon as possible.
One can feel sorry for the illegal immigrants who came into our country and still believe that something must be done to stop this from continuing.
The genuine concern we may have for those immigrants who sneak across the border to find better job prospects must be balanced by (1) their refusal to respect our laws by following the legal process, (2) the respect others with even graver concerns demonstrate by applying for asylum or legal residency status to avoid persecution even though their applications may be rejected (people like the Christian convert from Afghanistan who finally won his freedom in Italy or the gay teenagers beheaded in Iran for allegedly commiting homosexual rape), (3) the authority any sovereign state must assert in protecting its ports of entry from would be lawbreakers and those unwittingly bringing a communicable disease into the country, (4) 9-11 and the prospects of a terrorist sneaking into our country, and (5) the financial burden a new wave of immigrants will bring to the already financially-stressed and still not reformed entitlement programs.
Legalizing those who are already here may be nice and, as George F. Will states, a practical certainty but it would not in anyway solve the problem. If anything, it may encourage a new wave of illegal immigrants that we cannot afford to provide for to come in and wait for the third or fourth amnesty program to make its way through Congress 5, 10, or 20 years from now.
We can, I guess, provide those already here with guest-worker status and a means to obtain permanent legal residence status if they register with the appropriate legal authorites and pay their fines.
A comprehensive immigration reform package that would is designed to discourage illegal immigration must include the tough border control measures such as fencing, increased border patrols and surveillance equipment, and tougher, more heavily enforced fines for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
McCain's more forgiveable approach to the 10-12 million illegal immigrants would be more palatable for those of us who prefer the House measure were assured that this would be the last near-amnesty package ever proposed.
The Congressmen who can vote for a comprehensive package that is merciful towards those already here but authorizes vigilant and effective border control from hereonafter will go far in bridging the political divide.
I almost forgot: for your readers the self-evident quote to ponder:
"Here are two ways to compromise. You either dilute each side of the compromise until it becomes both unobjectionable or ineffective, or you attempt to create balance by having a strong component on one side added to a strong component on the other side."
- from Colin Hanna, a supporter of tougher immigration policies. Mr. Hanna was a guest on Tucker Carlson's "The Situation" on March 29. The excerpt came from March 29 transcripts.
I see this problem as one of the lesser problems in this country today so have not paid as much attention to it as most people. I believe all the hoopla as of late is a smoke screen to divert attention.
If the policies in place now are not enforced with any degree of regularity then what good is making more policies?
Certainly good Samaritan rules would apply in cases where they need to be but that really isn't the point.
These people are not taking away jobs from anyone here who is likely to want them, them being here does not in any way prevent the continuous farming out of jobs overseas...
We seem to be doing ok on the Canadian border side so if anything wouldn't it be better to go for fostering a relationship with the government of Mexico and finding an incentive for them to keep and or prevent their people from crossing the border and penalizing Mexico not united states citizens when it fails.
Don't know...
I admit this is certainly not my area.
I have mixed feeling on the issue. I do not think it is fair for those "legal" aliens who have earned their citizenship the hard and right way. I'm afraid that if we give a little... more will be expected.
If these "illegal" aliens want to be US citizens... "live the American dream"... why can't they do it the right way? I'm all about one wanting the American dream... but there should be steps... not just hand outs.
I agree this problem is multifaceted and can't even guess as to where to go from here. I think helping Mexico keep their citizens or at least encouraging them to do so would be a good start.
I think Bush's “guest worker" program is nothing short of insulting as it merely makes these people legal slaves.
I don't live in an area that is inundated with immigrants although we have a large Mexican contingent here. Maybe I would feel differently if I felt my job was being taken over by these people.
I read somewhere recently that if this immigrant disappeared the affect on the economy could be disastrous. I feel I am still not familiar enough with all the economic ramifications to make any final decisions on this.
The idea of shipping 11-20 million people out of the country is just absurd and unrealistic. These people have roots in the states with families and children who are born here and there fore citizens of our great country.
I agree that we need pressure Mexico more to change it's economy to keep its citizens.
Also, we need to be fining the businesses and corps that employee these folks big time.
Yeah Heretic, way to rewrite my post :)
Shayna, I'm mixed on this as well. I think I will do another post and try to narrow down my opinion a little better.
James, you couldn't be more right and I totally agree with you.
Alice, you crack me up. I think the immigration problem is big, but like you I think it is being used as a smoke screen by the Republicans. Thanks for reading.
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