Why is comprehensive immigration reform not comprehensive
May 2nd, 2010 by David Anderson
There is a cry for comprehensive immigration reform. I could go along if it were comprehensive.
First, we need to ramp up securing the borders. Physical security needs to happen right away.
Second, we need more federal and state partnership with employer enforcement and law enforcement. When an illegal is picked up for a crime that should be communicated immediately to the feds and they should have response teams.
Third, we need to deal with identity theft issues. Upgrading social security cards with the same technology used for passports would be a start. Expanding access and providing incentives for employers to participate in the data base verification of applicants would be positive. Requiring it for interstate commerce and government contractors is essential.
Fourth we need to enforce the law regarding employment of undocumented workers.
Fifth, we need to repeal some social magnets. If a state gives non-resident driver’s licenses, they need to be clearly marked as such. We need to not pay welfare style payments to illegals. Outside of taking care of health concerns, which benefits us, we need to take a tougher line. Stop requiring ballots be printed in anything but English. To vote you have to be a citizen and to be a citizen you have to speak English. If the feds want to require the states educate the children brought in by illegal immigrants, then stop making the states pay for it.
Sixth, restore cultural unity by making English the official language of the United States. A territory or state would be allowed to add a second or third if they see fit. There should be no interference in the marketplace and safety, legal rights, immigration, and educational materials could be in other languages. Some items such voting materials and welfare benefits should be in the official language.
Seventh, update the numbers allowed legally. 290,000 is a number so low that it encourages circumvention. There needs to be a market based formula developed. Raise the level to one that we can sustain, and enforce. I am in favor of 1/3 of 1% of the population adjusted every ten years. That would be a million a year currently. 15% of that number should be set aside for those who already have the ability to take care of themselves. Family members such as spouses and children and workers who already have job prospects. Considering the economy, that increase should be phased in over the next 3 years. This would allow those illegally to go back in line and come back the right way without waiting 10 years for an opening. Many would self deport over the next couple of years if they can get back the right way. Most would rather do it right. Until recently, we sent a message that we didn’t care about the law on the books. Unsurprisingly, we got the result of not caring. Why should people outside of the country care more about our laws than we do?
Until I see those 7 elements, I don’t see immigration reform as comprehensive. It is just another political sham. In the meantime just secure the borders and enforce the existing law with reason and dignity. The lack of such enforcement is leading to border state crime waves, divisions and resentments, health concerns, and a terrible financial burden in some states. If some nations like Mexico complain, we should simply threaten to mirror their laws by applying the same standard to their nationals that they apply to ours and watch them quiet down.
Anytime I hear liberals say “REFORM” I reach for my wallet. The Arizona law is in line with the federal requirements for foreign nationals.
Instead of so called reform, lets talk about enforcing existing laws. We have the mechanism to go after employers who hire illegal aliens in our country. LETS ENFORCE THE EXISTING LAWS.
Amen, exsiting law is too low on legal immigration though. Of course making some employers increase wages (talking about market forces when illegals are no longer flooding the market) and hire millions of unemployed Americans would be too much to expect as policy.
In today’s market no employer has to change the pay scale. It has been proven time and again that Americans will in fact take these jobs.
Tomorrow a post publishes on a comparison between AZ law and Mexico law. It is based upon an article in today’s Washington Times.
What’s all this ‘English’ stuff- if you moved to Germany, would you bother to learn German? Wouldn’t you expect them to accomodate your language?
This is the United States- Learn to speak English!