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Since when does Immigration Reform mean Open Borders and Amnesty?
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Our immigration system and our country is under duress
Most of us on the right and left side of this debate will acknowledge there is a desperate need for “immigration reform” but what does that mean? Well for some it means open borders and amnesty while for others it is quite the opposite. The differences are complicated and the sides are diametrically opposed to each other on many of the points. One wants the system fixed and demands that anyone who came here illegally be dealt with through the legal system. The other side wants the system fixed and demands that everyone who came here illegally get a “gimme” on the crime or crimes they have committed and get a path to citizenship. They want an immigration system that is liberal and one that provides anyone with the ability or desire to come here, the “right” to do it. We are not likely to find common ground on this. Amnesty is unacceptable for the right and a core principal for the left.
Illegal immigration aside, what about the system everyone agrees should be fixed? Certainly it is broken. How could it not be? Since the 1960’s Ted Kennedy and his ilk (please forgive me for not shedding tears on his passing) have turned replacement level immigration into a free-for-all. We have allowed more people to immigrate to the United States/America in the last forty years than in the last four hundred years combined. It has transformed our culture, the environment, our education system, our economy…virtually no aspect of American life has not been impacted by those on the express train to America.
You’ve heard it said time and time again. We are a nation of immigrants, blah, blah, blah. Yes we are and I wouldn’t be here were it not for a couple of German and Irish immigrants with a desire to come to America. They emigrated here about 100 years ago, legally through Ellis Island and staked their claim to the American Dream. They went through incredible hardships to get here and continued to work hard to become Americans. Amongst each other they spoke their native tongue but refused to let the kids speak anything but English; probably so they could keep a few secrets. They had customs that they passed down and new ones they made up. It is the same story told millions of times across this country.
Immigration can be a good thing but only as long as it is controlled, the immigrants can make a contribution to their new country and they do it legally. My grandfather was a printer. A skilled tradesman. At a time when we needed both. The reason for controls is key to the whole reason for immigration in the first place. We as a society must know who are here, if they have received proper health screenings and are they going to make a “needed contribution” to our society. This part of the equation is often overlooked. We must have a NEED. People do not have a RIGHT to come to America no more than I have a RIGHT to emigrate to Mexico or the Sudan. Historically it is a PRIVELEGE granted by those who are citizens and/or already legally here and it should be based on what skills are needed in the US at the time and what level of contribution will be made by those brought in to fill those needs. What is so hard to understand about that? Ah, maybe it is that whole logic and reason thing again. I always get caught up in that line of thinking.
Illegal Immigrants come here because they simply want to and they cannot or will not do it the LEGAL way. It really is very simple. Millions get in line to do it properly every year. Illegal immigrants have NO RIGHT to be here. Granted, the system is messed up (thanks again Teddy) but violating it is really no different than saying you don’t like the price of the food in the grocery store so you’re just going to walk out the door with the product without paying for it.
Now we can fix the system and we should, but the illegal immigrants should not have say in it nor should they be allowed a “Get Out Of Guatemala Free” card. Immigration should be tied to the needs of the country and NOT the immigrants. This is where we part ways with the left. Right now our country does not NEED immigrants. We need jobs for those already here. When that changes, then let those in that can make a contribution to our economy and our society, not be a drain on it.
I think we need to put a 2-5 year hold on ALL immigration. (Oh my. Did he really say that?) While we are at it, fix the system, deport those that are criminals and give everyone else that are not supposed to be here a choice, leave or prove WHY you should stay? What are you contributing to our society? Did you commit any other crimes in America, other than crossing the border illegally? If not, let’s take a closer look but no guarantees. We’ll have plenty of bureaucrats to handle the interviews. They won’t be processing new immigration applications for a while anyway. Come up with a set of rules based on need and rigidly follow them. Allow for an appeals process. If you don’t fit… adios, see ya, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, have a nice life…in your country.
Yes, our government was complicit in allowing illegal immigration to occur for decades. We permitted our government to get away with it and for that WE bear some of the responsibility. No, it is not possible in my opinion to deport all twenty million plus illegal aliens nor should we. Many have been here for decades, made a solid contribution to our country and are otherwise law-abiding residents. If the tables were turned and Mexico gave Americans a green light to come aboard for all the benefits and opportunity you can bet your bottom dollar some Americans would have done it even though it may have been illegal. Doesn’t make it right but it would have happened nonetheless. We should however deport every criminal we get our hands on and properly secure the border so they cannot get back in. This is critical.
Let’s fix the system once and for all and give everyone who wants to be a citizen the same amount of respect they showed the citizens of this country, not the other way around. Lets be sure we have enough work for Americans before we let another 1.5 million in next year. That’s my immigration reform. If you have a “common sense” reason for allowing anyone in that wants to come, I’d like too hear it. If not, get on the immigration reform train, shed that amnesty baggage and lets fix our country, and it’s immigration system, together.
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