The longer we wait for a reasonable, workable immigration reform, the greater the problems and the more illegal immigrants that will risk their lives to come to the U.S.
The proposed Pence-Bailey proposal seems to make the most sense -- a compromise between the Senate and the House.
We do need more enforcement, and we do need more accountability from employers. We also have to make it clear that illegal immigration will not be rewarded -- however-- we have to be realistic and understand that human beings have lived in the U.S. illegally for many years. Do we punish them and their U.S. families with the ultimate: deportation and bars to entry into the U.S (3 or 10 years)?-- or do we recognize that there must be a way to discourage illegal immigration (increase enforcement at the border and at the place of employment) while ensuring that those who have come here illegally are processed just like every other immigrant to the U.S. -- either through a proposed "Ellis Island Center" or at a port of entry.
It took me 13 years to legally immigrate to the U.S., and become a citizen -- 17 years doesn't sound that long if you really want it. Surely, it doesn't take 17 years to become a legal permanent resident -- whereby you have almost all the rights of a U.S. citizen but you cannot vote, or hold public office.
This Pence-Bailey proposal sounds like a pretty good compromise to me.
Monday, August 14, 2006
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Yep, no question about it Pence’s immigration bill is better than what we currently have on the table, but don’t underestimate the desire for the indigents to immigrate to the “land of opportunity”.
Nothing has stopped the illegal immigration thus far and I dare to say nothing will. These people will do anything to get here and presumably get a job. They’ll stuff twenty-five people in a van to run the border, cross the desert on foot enduring extreme heat, thirst and poisonous snakes. So if you think that anything that Congress is doing will change the situation think again.
You want to know how bad things are consider this fact. The U.S. Border Patrol's budget has increased tenfold in the last twenty years, and the number of agents has tripled. And yet the number of Mexicans coming to the U.S. illegally has not fallen -- it's risen. No matter what we do they keep coming!
So, what’s next on the list to stop illegal immigration? Here an idea, let’s make employers responsible. Yea right! So now illegal immigrants purchase names, social security numbers and birth dates that will pass the IRS’s social security number verification hot line. They just keep coming!
So what’s the reality here? I think that these people just want to be here a whole lot more than we want them out! If we change our laws on immigration will anything change anyway? I don’t think so. They’ll just keep coming anyway. Hey, lets stop spinning our wheels and just learn how to say “mi casa su casa”!
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