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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
My Thoughts on Illegal/Undocumented/Aliens/Immigrants...?
I just read a rather unremarkable article concerning the attempts to grant citizenship to student who also happen to be in this country illegally. The topic of the article got me thinking of how I really come down on the issue of illegal immigration. I was born in this country, served it in the military and love it as much as anyone. I believe in the melting pot society that has developed over the last 200+ years, but I also believe that it is time to reevaluate our immigration policy. The United States is simply becoming too crowded and financially overburdened by people that chose not to follow the rules of entering our country.
Now I know I am going to get emails railing against me for not remembering that we are ALL immigrants in this country. To the contrary, I do remember. But let's be realistic, times were different then. With all due deference to the Native Americans that our ancestors displaced, we are where we are now. (I make no secret of the fact that this country was invaded, and the natives lost, but that is a subject for a different blog.) Back in this country's infancy, there was plenty of land and even more opportunity to be free. We were a destination for those that could not find freedoms in their own countries. An admirable quality for the US has turned into it's own worst enemy.
If we had unlimited wealth and unlimited resources, I would welcome all those that sought a better life...but we no longer have that luxury. We can no longer be the caretaker for those that are poor and/or unhappy. I am not an advocate for closing our borders, just strengthening both them and our immigration system. I would still welcome those that are willing to follow the rules to enter our country, and willing to be a productive member of our society. I work very, very hard just to live paycheck to paycheck. I owe a good chunk of money, and do my best to stay above water. It is difficult to see illegal immigrants receiving federal and state benefits that I am not even eligible to get. It is difficult to see them working under the table and not paying taxes, while my taxes pay for their housing, their children's education and more. Many work hard themselves, but they do so illegally.
I understand that I have not suffered the way some immigrants have, and I certainly know that MANY of them enter this country out of desperation. Again, I don't advocate closing our borders. I also don't have the answers...I'm just not that smart. But I do know what I would like to see happen. First, pass legislation that limits how you can enter this country legally, and more importantly enforce the resulting laws. I would also limit the number of legal immigrants per year...it just makes sense.
Secondly, I would grant immunity to all existing illegals in the country now, allowing them to register and start the process to be legal and productive citizens. I would change the laws that allow for children born in this country to automatically become legal citizens, and thus their mothers legal residents. If a family chooses to enter the country illegally to have a child (common in CA), medical care will not be denied, but deportation will follow.
Finally, I would decrease the amount of international aid we provide to the rest of the world and triple the funding to patrol and protect our natural borders. It does no good to take the above actions if our borders, especially those along Mexico, continue to be as effective as a colander collecting water. We can never prevent all the people from entering our country illegally, but we can certainly do much better. As somebody that follows the rules of our society, I find it unfair and insulting for others to not do so. I do have compassion, I simply no longer have any tolerance.
(I welcome your feedback, I just ask that you keep it civil.)
Now I know I am going to get emails railing against me for not remembering that we are ALL immigrants in this country. To the contrary, I do remember. But let's be realistic, times were different then. With all due deference to the Native Americans that our ancestors displaced, we are where we are now. (I make no secret of the fact that this country was invaded, and the natives lost, but that is a subject for a different blog.) Back in this country's infancy, there was plenty of land and even more opportunity to be free. We were a destination for those that could not find freedoms in their own countries. An admirable quality for the US has turned into it's own worst enemy.
If we had unlimited wealth and unlimited resources, I would welcome all those that sought a better life...but we no longer have that luxury. We can no longer be the caretaker for those that are poor and/or unhappy. I am not an advocate for closing our borders, just strengthening both them and our immigration system. I would still welcome those that are willing to follow the rules to enter our country, and willing to be a productive member of our society. I work very, very hard just to live paycheck to paycheck. I owe a good chunk of money, and do my best to stay above water. It is difficult to see illegal immigrants receiving federal and state benefits that I am not even eligible to get. It is difficult to see them working under the table and not paying taxes, while my taxes pay for their housing, their children's education and more. Many work hard themselves, but they do so illegally.
I understand that I have not suffered the way some immigrants have, and I certainly know that MANY of them enter this country out of desperation. Again, I don't advocate closing our borders. I also don't have the answers...I'm just not that smart. But I do know what I would like to see happen. First, pass legislation that limits how you can enter this country legally, and more importantly enforce the resulting laws. I would also limit the number of legal immigrants per year...it just makes sense.
Secondly, I would grant immunity to all existing illegals in the country now, allowing them to register and start the process to be legal and productive citizens. I would change the laws that allow for children born in this country to automatically become legal citizens, and thus their mothers legal residents. If a family chooses to enter the country illegally to have a child (common in CA), medical care will not be denied, but deportation will follow.
Finally, I would decrease the amount of international aid we provide to the rest of the world and triple the funding to patrol and protect our natural borders. It does no good to take the above actions if our borders, especially those along Mexico, continue to be as effective as a colander collecting water. We can never prevent all the people from entering our country illegally, but we can certainly do much better. As somebody that follows the rules of our society, I find it unfair and insulting for others to not do so. I do have compassion, I simply no longer have any tolerance.
(I welcome your feedback, I just ask that you keep it civil.)
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