This issue is a lightning rod for people of pretty much every stripe, and will likely be a big factor in the 2008 election. Republicans have an edge since they're already debating it and proposing plans to deal with it. If Democrats don't catch up fast, or if they continue to ignore it (or outright support it like in their amnesty bill last summer), they could find a major backlash next November.
There are a number of problems that need to be fixed, some more troubling than others. The Department of Homeland Security is failing to monitor people who overstay their travel visas -- as some of the 9/11 hijackers did -- simply due to bad politics. Deportations (and multiple deportations) are simply not effective, allowing hardcore criminals to come back over and over and commit crimes like rape and murder while they're here. The list goes on and on. But, there's something even worse going on that you almost certainly haven't heard.
It's common knowledge that the Mexican government implicitly supports illegal immigration. After all, money sent back from illegals in America is the second largest industry in Mexico. And, Mexican President Vicente Fox has made statements to the effect of 'taking back' territory that used to be possessed by Mexico (i.e. Los Angeles, Arizona, etc.). But, did you know that Fox and the Mexican government are actively assisting illegals in crossing the border illegally? In 2006 alone, there were 29 documented incidents with U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican law enforcement or military personnel.
When will the President and Congress catch up to the rest of the country and put a stop to this?!
One of the biggest problems we have here in making true progress is that about half of the leadership in this country is either oblivious or willfully stupid, and that makes it even harder for the rest of us to make any serious headway. For example, the Washington Post writes a puff piece about multiple definitions of 'illegal' which almost literally begs for sympathy for illegal aliens, despite the fact that the vast majority of Americans recognize the effects and problems inherent in rampant illegal immigration. By parsing words to a ridiculous degree (remember Bill Clinton saying 'it depends on what the definition of is is'?) to garner sympathy, this serious problem is trivialized, along with the concerns of millions of Americans.
Then you have Democrat leaders: again, I believe they are either the most pathetically naive or blindly partisan people in the country. Not only do they refuse to enforce the laws of America, but they also actively campaign for benefits and goodies for illegals. Of course, they know that Americans are vehemently against illegal immigration, so they usually end up waffling back and forth. Hillary Clinton is a perfect example:
After briefly flirting with a Buchanan-esque tougher-on-borders stance, then moving to back to the left, then keeping quiet after botching her October debate answer on illegal alien driver’s licenses, then sounding tough again on criminal illegal aliens, Hillary is brazenly courting the illegal alien vote. In Nevada, she combined her housing bailout agenda with an open-borders flavor in a visit to Mexican illegal aliens who are apparently defaulting on home loans they should never have obtained in the first place.She also stated that 'no woman is illegal' during a meeting with Hispanics in Nevada. If Clinton is one of the big-time leaders of the party, is it any wonder Americans are disillusioned with them? Even if Clinton were matching up with the American people, could anyone actually trust what she says?
So, what should we do? First, you have to get involved. Understand the issue and who stands on what side of the fence. It is rare to find a Democrat who supports enforcement and reduction of illegal immigration, but there are a number of Republicans who are just as bad as the Democrats. Share your thoughts and findings with people you know. It's amazing what a huge effect a little bit of research (which you can find here at this blog - congratulations, your research is already done!) can do for intelligent people who want leaders who will do the right thing. Then, go vote. Your voice does count, so make it heard. Support people who agree with you, and oppose people who don't.
Here are some other things you can do:
- challenge your own Reps/Senators to sign the Border Fence Pledge, which would complete the border fence within 6 months of convening the next Congress
- urge your city leaders to oppose sanctuary city policies
- urge your leaders to crack down on businesses hiring illegals and to support the acceleration of deportations
I think an effective immigration plan would be something like this:
- secure the borders first (using physical fence, more agents, and technology)
- crack down on businesses hiring illegals
- remove the birthright citizenship clause
- withhold federal funding from any 'sanctuary city'
- allow a period of time for illegals to leave the country on their own, then crack down on anyone found to be in the country illegally
At the very least, if we would just enforce the laws already on the books, we'd be in a much, much better position.
This is an issue that MUST be addressed by the next President, so it would be wise for you to understand where your favorite candidate stands on it.
There's my two cents.
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