Yes

by Robert C. Sage

Created on: January 14, 2008

The Bush attempt to provide amnesty to illegal aliens, because it is good for big business, ignores the fact that it sends the wrong message throughout the world. Although amnesty has been given periodically, it rewards those who break the law by entering illegally or overstaying their visas, as was true with some of the 911 hijackers. Instead of accepting the inability of the federal government to seal our borders convincingly, America should follow through with reforms in the INS and US Customs Service. The technology exists to make our borders virtually impervious to break ins, so why isn't that done forthright?

The Bush plan to institute a guest worker system is a reasonable concept. However, guest workers need not be accorded U.S. citizenship automatically, simply because they are here in the U.S.A. Guest workers should be required to return to their countries of origin, when they are done working in America. If they have vital skills that are in great demand in America, there are existing channels for processing applications that should be used.

Clearly, with what may be upwards of 30 million illegal immigrants in the US, giving all U.S. citizenship would have unforeseen implications. Sure the status quo is untenable for various reasons. America simply does not have the law enforcement resources to find and deport all of the illegals in our midst. Attempting to do so could unleash a humanitarian crisis, given that children born in the US to illegal immigrants are accorded American citizenship (this loophole should be closed, as it is not common in the rest of the world.) Additionally, the sudden removal of all illegal aliens could have a dramatic impact on businesses where they are employed. The cost of labor could increase significantly, causing a price increases. None of these potential effects by itself is justification for failure to enforce immigration law.

A major issue in resolving the illegal immigration is the fact that so many cities and other jurisdictions have proclaimed they are in effect "sanctuaries" for illegals. The reason that local officials may ban local law enforcement personnel from apprehending illegal aliens is that it complicates their jobs in investigating and solving criminal cases. The police believe that they need the cooperation of illegals in solving routine crimes.

GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giulliani denies that NYC was a sanctuary city when he was mayor. He informs there were only 3 exceptions to reporting illegals ... those who are known due to reporting crime, those who seek medical treatment and those who send their children to school. Rudy says NYC did report and pursue all other cases of illegal immigration.

In any case, comprehensive federal immigration reform is long over due. It has been a prominent issue for years, but to date nothing much has been effective. The Congress has mandated that double fencing be built along miles of the Mexican border, but the Bush Administration has been slow to get it done. GOP presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter has promised that he would get the fences completed within his first year in office, if elected. It is unclear why completing the fences has not been a higher priority for Bush.

To be fair, Bush has increased border patrol staffing and he has sent the National Guard as back-up support. So far, there is no evidence to indicate it has had an appreciable impact.
Bush's decision to jail the border patrol agents who shot a Mexican trespasser is confusing.
Apparently , newly elected Mexican President Calderon of the conservative PAN was concerned that a tough American prosecution might tip the balance in the election to the leftist PRD.

In the background, it is unknown what impact there may be from the semi-secret discussions about the creation of a North American Common Market, modeled on the European Economic Community. Apparently, the US, Mexico and Canada have agreed to the concept of a common international border, a common currency called the Amero and other provisions leading to a unified government. Analysts believe it is merely a step in the direction of one world government. In any case, if this is the direction for the future, it is easy to see that action against the predominantly Mexican illegal immigrants would be a low priority, given that plans are apparently call for unification. This would be further reason for Bush to avoid wasting much effort on strengthening the control of southern border or enforcement of immigration law.

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