A Plan to Solve Illegal Immigration
It has enforcement and a way for illegal aliens to become US citizens. What’s there not to like?
Like the swallows returning to Capistrano or the return of daylight saving time the annual push for amnesty for illegal aliens is a sure sign of spring in recent years. Criticism of the current proposals is of limited value without proposing an alternative. Toward that end, a compromise solution follows that everyone should be able to get behind: The great misconception about the illegal immigration dilemma is that the solution requires sweeping new legislation; it doesn’t. The problem isn’t the inadequacy of current law. For more than a decade now corrupt politicians have underfunded this nation’s immigration and customs enforcement agencies and, at times, interfered with them. INS supervisors were publicly criticized by US senators and congressmen for highly successful raids on meatpacking plants in the Midwest in the 1990‘s. More recently, US Border Patrol agents have been tried and sent to federal prison based on the testimony of a Mexican drug smuggler. Wealthy and powerful business interests have been able to bribe politicians to intimidate law enforcement into looking the other way when illegal aliens are employed. Politicians fail to enforce the law then use the resulting chaos as evidence that the law needs to be changed. Most of the actions necessary to get control of immigration can be achieved by enforcing existing law.
President Bush has been particularly duplicitous in his characterization of the debate. Bush describes the two extremes as “amnesty” (which he defines as automatic citizenship for any illegal alien in this country, no questions asked) and mass deportations (which he imagines as rounding up people from their homes and putting them on busses all at once). This is dishonest since nobody has seriously proposed either alternative! Nobody! By presenting two false extreme choices he seeks to make his proposals look reasonable by comparison. He also knows that the 1986 amnesty was a disaster, so he doesn’t use the term “amnesty“, preferring instead “path to citizenship”, even though it is a distinction without a difference.
To stem the tide of illegal immigration we need to remove the incentives that motivate aliens to come here in the first place. The first and most effective thing for Congress to do is clearly and emphatically to rule out any amnesty, path to citizenship etc. which would allow illegal aliens to continue to work in this country. The hope of Amnistia has inspired a generation of foreigners to sneak into the US; remove it and the problem is half solved.
The next action to take is to increase workplace enforcement. Aliens found working illegally will be deported. Employers who hired them need to be fined severely and sent to federal prison. Deportees need to be treated humanely and politely and special accommodations will need to be made to collect and care for children. Not only is this the right thing to do, but the ACLU has and will use any alleged incident of harm to a child as a basis to sue to shut the whole program down. Any illegal alien caught committing a crime would be deported also.
In the meantime, strengthen the agencies that enforce immigration laws. Bush has repeatedly bragged that he doubled the size of the US Border Patrol, but he fails to mention that the current force is still inadequate to do the job. The border patrol should be five times its current size. The US armed forces can fill gaps until the new border patrol agents can be fielded. The military would need to be armed to protect themselves against increasingly violent drug smugglers. They would not use their weapons against unarmed border crossers. Removal of detainees would be handled by BP agents. Some will allege that this action would involve the military in law enforcement; it would not. Processing detainees is law enforcement but stopping them in the first place is not. Indeed defending the republic from invasion (armed or otherwise) is the reason the military exists. ICE will also need to be also five times its current size.
Build the fence along the border. Fences cost more to construct but require less maintenance and are more reliable than virtual devices. The president of Mexico has compared the proposed fence to the Berlin wall. The border wall will keep invaders out, whereas the Berlin kept people in and turned a city into a prison. The Mexican’s allegation is preposterous, unless, that is, he considers his country to be a prison.
Continue to remove incentives for border crossing. Outlaw US banks from issuing credit cards to illegal aliens. No illegal alien should receive state or federal benefits.
Continue to improve the infrastructure. Modernize the employer verification system to make it easier to use and harder to defraud. Forget about issuing paper documents; they can be forged too easily. Modernize the visa system to track overstays. Five years after the September 11 attacks it is shockingly irresponsible that this problem still hasn’t been solved.
Once these actions, often called “enforcement first”, are taken the immigration situation will be under control. What about the current illegal immigrant population, said to number between 10 and 30 million? Once they realize they can’t get a job, get government benefits or open a bank account, most of them will self deport. They found their own way in; they can find their own way out. The government can even offer a one-way, ticket home for them. Workplace enforcement will lead to deportation for those who continue to work illegally. As for those who remain, if they can live without a job, without getting in trouble and without benefits, deporting them will be a low priority.
What about a guest worker program? The current “guest worker” program proposed in congress isn’t really about guests at all. Guests, by definition, go home after a time. The workers in the proposed program would be allowed to apply for citizenship and most would never go home. The program would be of huge benefit to employers and would keep the flow of low wage foreigner workers coming. Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) said “This guest worker program’s the closest thing I’ve ever seen to slavery,“ and he’s right. A true guest worker program would be administered by the federal government, charge employers fees higher than prevailing wages and require workers to go home after a few months. The feds. would provide transportation into and out of the country and the workers would have government health insurance. It would only be used to ease temporary labor shortages when unemployment is low, such as at harvest time. The fees charged employers would pay all costs. The program would be efficient and humane, but, since it would not allow employers to undercut wages or abuse workers, it probably wouldn’t be very popular.
The compromise concession to the illegal aliens would be a special one-time immigration opportunity for those who have lived in the US (legally or illegally) in the past but have returned to their home countries. Preference would be given to those with relatives and references in the US and a sponsoring employer. Preference would be given to those who left the US voluntarily and were not deported. Anyone who committed a crime while in the US, other than the illegal entry itself, would not be eligible. All would be required to have a basic command of English. The total number accommodated should be capped at two million total, over a period of ten years. That should take care of most of those who have a sincere desire to become Americans, not those who were just interested in higher wages than they could earn at home. Immigration advocates will say that the cap of two million is too low, but it is actually a lot of people to assimilate. Besides, considering that most of these people violated US law in the past, two million is actually quite generous. The US taxpayer doesn’t owe them anything. This program would only be implemented after all of these enforcement steps have been taken and congress can declare the border functionally secure.
The above plan would be expensive but maintaining the status quo would cost even more. Illegal immigration already costs the US billions of dollars in law enforcement, education, health care and lost taxes; most of those costs are borne by state and local governments. This plan would be a solution. Bush’s “comprehensive immigration reform” would be worse than doing nothing, much, much worse.
Stuart Jones is a writer and professional engineer. He lives with his wife and young son in Campbell County, Virginia.
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Thanks! This is one of the first times I\'ve read an article on the illiegal immigration crisis that actually offers real solutions. There is one more angle to the argument that I want to mention, and that is what the floods of Mexicans coming to the U.S. is doing to Mexico. Will Marre, founder of American Dream Project (americandreamproject.org) recently posted a blog on his website that addresses this issue. He states, \"Illegal immigration is killing Mexico. Over half of Mexico’s 100 million citizens say they want to move to the U.S. Is that a good thing? The tens of thousands of young men and women leaving Mexico are Mexico’s most entrepreneurial, most resourceful of their vast underclass. There are entire towns and villages peopled only by the women and children left behind. The whole nation is dependent on the billions of dollars illegally employed family members send home creating a false economy. This creates price inflation in Mexico while robbing our economy of the purchasing power of the wages we are paying. Most of all Mexico remains unable to move behind a corrupt banana republic system of the rich and privileged making a mockery of democracy. The corruption of rich using laws and regulations preventing real capitalism from nurturing a middle class has created a country rich in resources sinking in greed and bribery.\"
Illegal immigration into the U.S. is bad for everyone, and I greatly appreciate your solutions. Is there any chance of seeing any of them implemented soon?
You have some very valid points and this is very thoughtful.
As much as the US spends in wasteful legislation and time on this issue it would behoove them to help Mexico establish a solid/large middle class because there-in lies part, if not a good chunk of, the problem.
This may be a little more complicated and time consuming to do and would require real work, diplomacy and negotiation.
The US appears better at symbolic band-aids lately. Expensive symbolic band-aids.
Thanks! This is one of the first times I’ve read an article on the illiegal immigration crisis that actually offers real solutions. There is one more angle to the argument that I want to mention, and that is what the floods of Mexicans coming to the U.S. is doing to Mexico. Will Marre, founder of American Dream Project (americandreamproject.org) recently posted a blog on his website that addresses this issue. He states, “Illegal immigration is killing Mexico. Over half of Mexico’s 100 million citizens say they want to move to the U.S. Is that a good thing? The tens of thousands of young men and women leaving Mexico are Mexico’s most entrepreneurial, most resourceful of their vast underclass. There are entire towns and villages peopled only by the women and children left behind. The whole nation is dependent on the billions of dollars illegally employed family members send home creating a false economy. This creates price inflation in Mexico while robbing our economy of the purchasing power of the wages we are paying. Most of all Mexico remains unable to move behind a corrupt banana republic system of the rich and privileged making a mockery of democracy. The corruption of rich using laws and regulations preventing real capitalism from nurturing a middle class has created a country rich in resources sinking in greed and bribery.”
Illegal immigration into the U.S. is bad for everyone, and I greatly appreciate your solutions. Is there any chance of seeing any of them implemented soon?
You have great ideas but your missing a key point: money. You say fines would pay for everything; Are you kidding? The fines would have to be so high it would be so preposterous Democrats and Republicans alike wouldn\'t vote for it.
You have some very valid points and this is very thoughtful.
As much as the US spends in wasteful legislation and time on this issue it would behoove them to help Mexico establish a solid/large middle class because there-in lies part, if not a good chunk of, the problem.
This may be a little more complicated and time consuming to do and would require real work, diplomacy and negotiation.
The US appears better at symbolic band-aids lately. Expensive symbolic band-aids.
You have great ideas but your missing a key point: money. You say fines would pay for everything; Are you kidding? The fines would have to be so high it would be so preposterous Democrats and Republicans alike wouldn’t vote for it.
To clarify: Nowhere in the above article does it say that fines would pay for anything. It says that employers who break the law should be fined, but it does not say what those fines should be used for. It also says that employers who take advantage of the federal guest worker program would pay fees and that those fees would pay for the guest worker program only.
The article also says that the above plan would be expensive. Those costs would be paid by the federal government and could top 10 billion dollars; that\'s still less money than the state of California paid in one year for education, medical care and incarceration of illegal aliens. Looking at it another way, 10,000,000,000 is still only about 1.9% of what the US has spent so far on the Iraq war.
Get the facts at:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ii...
To clarify: Nowhere in the above article does it say that fines would pay for anything. It says that employers who break the law should be fined, but it does not say what those fines should be used for. It also says that employers who take advantage of the federal guest worker program would pay fees and that those fees would pay for the guest worker program only.
The article also says that the above plan would be expensive. Those costs would be paid by the federal government and could top 10 billion dollars; that\'s still less money than the state of California paid in one year for education, medical care and incarceration of illegal aliens. Looking at it another way, 10,000,000,000 is still only about 1.9% of what the US has spent so far on the Iraq war.
Get the facts at:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ii...
To clarify: Nowhere in the above article does it say that fines would pay for anything. It says that employers who break the law should be fined, but it does not say what those fines should be used for. It also says that employers who take advantage of the federal guest worker program would pay fees and that those fees would pay for the guest worker program only.
The article also says that the above plan would be expensive. Those costs would be paid by the federal government and could top 10 billion dollars; that\'s still less money than the state of California paid in one year for education, medical care and incarceration of illegal aliens. Looking at it another way, 10,000,000,000 is still only about 1.9% of what the US has spent so far on the Iraq war.
Get the facts at:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ii...
To clarify: Nowhere in the above article does it say that fines would pay for anything. It says that employers who break the law should be fined, but it does not say what those fines should be used for. It also says that employers who take advantage of the federal guest worker program would pay fees and that those fees would pay for the guest worker program only.
The article also says that the above plan would be expensive. Those costs would be paid by the federal government and could top 10 billion dollars; that’s still less money than the state of California paid in one year for education, medical care and incarceration of illegal aliens. Looking at it another way, 10,000,000,000 is still only about 1.9% of what the US has spent so far on the Iraq war.
Get the facts at:
http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecenters7443
Enforcing the laws oddly enough makes sense. I\'ve been kind of tweaked lately that our government is just going to \"cluster*uck\" more laws/legislation. The Fed would have a long way to go, but immigration could prove to be comparable in size and meaninglessness as the tax code has become.
Regardless of what the clowns might come up with, as you aver, they wouldn\'t honor it anyway as they haven\'t with what\'s on the books now.
Very well thought out and written. About the only place you might have trouble changing minds is with regard to the meaning of \"enforcement first,\" and what that actually entails. As far as I have been able to discern from the media \"enforcement first,\" is for racists and xenophobes. But, \"enforcement first,\" is to me about the only logical place to begin. Playing games with the language with \"guest-worker programs,\" or whatever you want to call it, just doesn\'t make enough sense if one leaves the door wide open. If border security improves as promised then additional pieces of the puzzle can be implemented.
As much as so many of us do not trust politicians, we sure let them get away with alot.
Enforcing the laws oddly enough makes sense. I’ve been kind of tweaked lately that our government is just going to “cluster*uck” more laws/legislation. The Fed would have a long way to go, but immigration could prove to be comparable in size and meaninglessness as the tax code has become.
Regardless of what the clowns might come up with, as you aver, they wouldn’t honor it anyway as they haven’t with what’s on the books now.
Very well thought out and written. About the only place you might have trouble changing minds is with regard to the meaning of “enforcement first,” and what that actually entails. As far as I have been able to discern from the media “enforcement first,” is for racists and xenophobes. But, “enforcement first,” is to me about the only logical place to begin. Playing games with the language with “guest-worker programs,” or whatever you want to call it, just doesn’t make enough sense if one leaves the door wide open. If border security improves as promised then additional pieces of the puzzle can be implemented.
As much as so many of us do not trust politicians, we sure let them get away with alot.
The author makes a very good point when he states:
\"Wealthy and powerful business interests have been able to bribe politicians to intimidate law enforcement into looking the other way when illegal aliens are employed. Politicians fail to enforce the law then use the resulting chaos as evidence that the law needs to be changed. Most of the actions necessary to get control of immigration can be achieved by enforcing existing law.\"
Enforcing existing laws is the key to solving this issue. But this will never happen because politicians represent those who have the money.
\"He who has the gold makes the rules\".
Amnesty, here we come!
The author makes a very good point when he states:
“Wealthy and powerful business interests have been able to bribe politicians to intimidate law enforcement into looking the other way when illegal aliens are employed. Politicians fail to enforce the law then use the resulting chaos as evidence that the law needs to be changed. Most of the actions necessary to get control of immigration can be achieved by enforcing existing law.”
Enforcing existing laws is the key to solving this issue. But this will never happen because politicians represent those who have the money.
“He who has the gold makes the rules”.
Amnesty, here we come!
Very nice plan of action. However, is this possible? For example, once we come from our countries and \"taste\", as a forbidden apple, how beautiful this country is, we do not want to go back. As simply as that. We will not self-deport because sooner or later, we know that somebody out there will hire us to do the dirty job that nobody else wants to do in this country. Even though the salary is low, many inmigrants believe that it is much better to stay here than go back to a third world country full of corrupt politicians.
I do tell my family in my country that they should really think twice before coming to the United States. I believe they should stay over there. Even though the countries are poor, I have noticed that people live happier and with less stress than inmigrants who live here. However, they do not understand. The jobs and the dollars are here. Besides, they see the Hollywood movies full of unrealistic situations and then, they come with all the good intentions to work hard in the famous place where \"even the streets are made of chocolate\" or the dollars grow on trees.
It takes many years to get used to this country. A great deal of sacrifice and tears. Of course, after all this sacrifice, who wants to go back? After many years, I have learned to love this country and its people. I am a good citizen. I completed my bachelor degree with highest honors. I want my kids to have the opportunity to live in freedom.
Even though I love my native country dearly, the United States is my home, the place built by inmigrants like me, where I have set all my expectations and my dreams.
God bless America and the wise people with great ideas like you.
Very nice plan of action. However, is this possible? For example, once we come from our countries and “taste”, as a forbidden apple, how beautiful this country is, we do not want to go back. As simply as that. We will not self-deport because sooner or later, we know that somebody out there will hire us to do the dirty job that nobody else wants to do in this country. Even though the salary is low, many inmigrants believe that it is much better to stay here than go back to a third world country full of corrupt politicians.
I do tell my family in my country that they should really think twice before coming to the United States. I believe they should stay over there. Even though the countries are poor, I have noticed that people live happier and with less stress than inmigrants who live here. However, they do not understand. The jobs and the dollars are here. Besides, they see the Hollywood movies full of unrealistic situations and then, they come with all the good intentions to work hard in the famous place where “even the streets are made of chocolate” or the dollars grow on trees.
It takes many years to get used to this country. A great deal of sacrifice and tears. Of course, after all this sacrifice, who wants to go back? After many years, I have learned to love this country and its people. I am a good citizen. I completed my bachelor degree with highest honors. I want my kids to have the opportunity to live in freedom.
Even though I love my native country dearly, the United States is my home, the place built by inmigrants like me, where I have set all my expectations and my dreams.
God bless America and the wise people with great ideas like you.