It's just ridiculous to think some kind of giant wall stretching across the border with Mexico would halt illegal immigration. I noticed this post, citing a case proving need for a wall, because ... well, I'm not sure what the logic here is at all. I do know this - if the federal and state government OKs such a plan, corporate contracts will fly, and illegal immigrants will be on this side of the wall earning money to build it.
Georgia's Governmor just signed into law that state's own new reforms regarding illegal immigrants, phased in over a two-year period. The legislature approved sweeping changees, though no one in the government could give anything close to precise numbers on just how many illegals might be in the state.
Question: if law enforcement arrests a suspect and finds them to be an illegal immigrant, would they not already report that capture to the Immigration Agencies? Apparently not, as that's part of this new law. Though I can't imagine why officials would not report an illegal in custody to INS.
Since every legislator and the Gov. is facing re-election this fall, call this a Brochure Campaign - meaning, those seeking re-election can claim they fought for and enacted immigration reform on bulk-mail brochures they'll send to voters.
Columnist Cynthia Tucker has pegged just why currrent laws aren't enforced and new programs are riddled with failure. Too many folks profit from the current use of illegals:
"So why haven't Congress and the White House fixed a broken immigration system? Because it works for so many — illegal workers, business interests and middle-class Americans alike. Industries such as construction and agriculture get a cheap and docile work force, poorly educated men and women who'll work Sundays and holidays and never report their employees for labor violations. Middle-class Americans get the benefit of cheaper products and services, everything from lawn care and domestic work to homegrown fruits and vegetables. And houses. Since home sales are keeping the economy afloat, politicians don't want to do anything to interfere with the massive housing-construction-and-sales complex."
UPDATE: A more in-depth look at Georgia's new law is examined by R. Neal over at Facing South, and is very much worth the read. He notes that although a worker may apply for a temporary visa for working in the U.S., provided the proper forms are filled out and submitted, except that such classifications for temp. visas from Mexico are currently "closed" according to State Department info. Just read the post!
Now didn't our illustrious misleader say, 'We don't build walls! We build bridges.'
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to build a cage & throw him in it.
I'm no senator, no lobbyist, just a reasonably intelligent observer, but the "lack of reality" on the part of government is the key to this immigration problem. Such as enforcement of laws on business that hire illegals and deny using them, and intense prosecution of violators, not more Defense Dept contracts which are then subcontracted out for fences real or "virtual".
ReplyDeleteThere are also other more realistic options, like increasing the number of temporary worker visas - that the country benefits from real tax collections.
And, again, all this is only my opinion, and honestly - taking policy cues from the Israelis sounds like a path to chaos. And they have real fences, big ones, with zones between them loaded with landmines.
In short, there are many options we could employ, but fence-building plays well on the Brochure Campaign, so that's the crap we get. Not to mention a cost in the billions to put this fence plan in place.
Successful? Israel? (choking on Joe's coffeee too).
ReplyDeleteHow much would this fence cost?
How much does building this fence take away from education, healthcare, or helping to aid the poor of this country? If we can't afford to build flood walls in New Orleans strong enough to keep out the waters of Katrina, where are we getting the money to build this fence?
When you say the words out loud of building a fence on the border, it just sounds ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteBut, that's what the big "they" keep talking about.
Isn't it always during an election year that politicians come up with new plans and ideas such as this.
Enforce the laws that exist. Temporary visas are reasonable. Thinking the issue through ... reasonable.
Building a friggin wall on the border ... oops said it out loud again and it sounds reactionary, expensive and just plain stupid.