by Danette M. Scott

Created on: April 09, 2009

The first question that popped into my mind when I first hear about the controversy of immigration in the US was,"What controversy?" Are we not a democracy? Have the people not voted for leaders and government officials after hearing them make promise after promise that something would be done about the growing problem of illegal immigration in this country. Where does the idea that a controversy actually exists among the American voters come from? The polls taken by the media and government agencies overwhelmingly demonstrate that the popular American opinion is against illegal immigration, and the concept of having an open border with our neighbor to the south.

Politicians seem to be turning their backs on their promises to the American public after they are elected to serve in public office. The warring drug cartels in Mexico are extending their violent activities into the Southwestern states. Arizona is now the number one ranked state in the country for kidnappings because of drug cartel activities. Reports that Mexican Americans are being targeted, kidnapped, and indoctrinated into dangerous gangs from across the border are frequent. We cannot afford, as a nation, to have open borders and unchecked illegal immigration. We are living in dangerous times. The threat of terrorism and existence of gang wars seeping across our unguarded borders endangers the lives of all Americans, and imperils the practice of democracy in America itself.

What can and should be done about the controversy of illegal immigration in America? First, we, as Americans should exercise our rights to vote. Politicians who have a history of going back on their promises to crack down on illegal immigration should be made known to the voting public. Second, people who live along the southern border of the United States and Mexico and opposed to illegal immigration should organize and propose solutions from their side of the fence. Third, the government should be petitioned to increase the number of border patrol agents along the Mexican and American border. Tighter controls should be placed on immigrants through legislation.

I was shocked and awed by the fact that certain politicians in the United States actually promote the idea of giving illegal immigrants drivers licences and amnesty. I do not believe that giving people who have entered our country illegally a license to drive or a free pass to citizenship. It is my sincerest hope that these misguided politicians will be made to answer for their incompetence in guarding the safety and welfare of the American public when the crime rates increase to astounding levels and or the next terror attack takes place.

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