by Norman Weibel

Created on: May 01, 2008

A physical fence would not deter the Mexican nationals who are encouraged by their government to go to the Estados Unidos del Norte (the United States of the North) to work. The money these workers return to their families in Mexico makes up well over one/third of Mexico's Gross National Product. It's the countries largest single source of income. Though cleaning up the political corruption in Mexico could attract outside investment and increase internal income, Mexican business interests like their brethren to the north who hire the illegal immigrants are looking for the quick buck.

Profit and greed drive the businesses on both sides of the border to perpetuate the status quo. The primary element to quell the surge of Mexican nationals is the strict enforcement of existing immigration law. This would include deportation and heavy penalties assessed on U. S. businesses that hire illegal immigrants. The fines have to be punitive enough to make it cheaper to hire U. S. citizens and pay both their benefits and the taxes they now avoid.

It's a somewhat different story when we look at the rest of the stream of illegal immigrants streaming over our southern border. Many seek to reach he protection of a country ruled by law instead of the lawless land they fled. They seek asylum and may legally qualify for it, but the backlog in INS courts makes an extended stay in Mexico untenable and illegal entry enticing. We must reduce the time, now taking years, to legally determine whether these immigrants are due entry as political refugees.

This, of course, ignores another huge segment of illegal immigrants, primarily from Asia, entering our country through our ports in shipping containers, victims of a criminal enterprise. Women in this trade are often forced into prostitution to pay for this inhumane transportation, yet customs inspects only 1% of shipping containers. This obviously needs to be increased, something which means an increase the number of customs agents.

In either case, an increase in both personnel and attention to mission by all departments involved in border control and the courts attached to immigration laws is a high priority and has to be if ever we are to have border security. It is shameful that our present national administration has chosen to ignore the problem, even doing some things to exacerbate it. If our government develops the courage and will to simply enforce the laws on the books, illegal immigration would decline markedly.

If we increase our enforcement arms of all agencies involved with immigrants from the State Department, through Customs, to INS, our virtual fence will be in place. Diplomatic sanctions against Mexico to encourage their assistance in closing our southern border, coupled with economical inducements to help their internal growth when they have done so, should bring about a far less porous southern border.

When the ability to cheat by employing illegals, thus avoiding the need to pay a legal wage or any benefits, has been taken away from employers, they will be surprised to realize that their higher wages has produced a larger consumer base with more money to spend on his products. He will also notice that with the strain on medical, social, and educational sources removed, his property taxes will either go down or their meteoric rise will be greatly slowed.

A controlled and fair immigration system will benefit citizens, immigrants and employers alike and will create a far more friendly relationship between immigrants and citizens. A broken system, INS needs a serious overhaul in order to work to the benefit of all present and potential citizens of this great nation. A physical fence is not needed.

Learn more about this author, Norman Weibel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.