The Ongoing Absurdity of the Immigration issue
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (04/10/06)
All of the flip flopping around in the Senate over which bill to support regarding illegal immigration, has me annoyed again. How hard is it to understand that the majority of the American people want a crackdown on illegal immigration, for illegals to leave?! And for our borders to be secured?!
Those in Washington seem to continue to ignore the American public, scratching out their own versions of an immigration bill that does not leave out a guest-worker program (pure amnesty is all it is), and little enforcement on controlling the borders. Senators are NOT in power to "make deals" with their colleagues, but to listen to the American public, who take the time out to write them with our concerns. This is a very important issue to many people.
Democrats and Republicans have compromised on such a bill put together by Republican Senator Mel Martinez of Florida and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. As of now, that bill has basically fallen through. H.R. 4477, the House bill that favored strong enforcement of the borders and no amnesty, was pushed to the side, but can still be revived. This bill should have received a vote by the Senate long ago. It was reflective of what the American people wanted in an immigration bill, but now, we have to deal with Senators who are wasting time and are ignoring the public!
Leaders in the Senate are listening to protests in the streets instead of warnings from Americans that our nation is burdened from crime associated with illegal immigration, and from those illegal immigrants who are here in America, but hold Mexico 1st in their heart. They have NO respect for our laws.
I've written letters to our leaders, especially to Senator Frist. This is the typical response I get, which comes off as vague:
Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding comprehensive immigration reform. It is an honor to serve you as the Majority Leader of the United States Senate and a privilege to respond to your concerns.
Today there are 10 to 12 million undocumented aliens living in the United States, and many Americans believe that our immigration policies are in need of serious review. As a nation of immigrants who honor the rule of law, I believe we must make it a priority to secure our borders as a part of any effort to reform our immigration policies.
( Note from Felicia: No, not as a part, it should be the TOP priority in fighting illegal immigration! It is the first course of action we should take to begin to control illegal immigration. )
In order to address this issue I have introduced S. 2454, the Securing America’s Border Act, a billion-dollar down payment that focuses on border security and interior law enforcement and will enable the Senate to pursue comprehensive immigration reform. My proposal will add resources to border protection, give our immigration-enforcement officials new legal tools, invest in physical barriers and electronic surveillance equipment at the borders and make it easier for employers to ensure that they hire only citizens and legal residents. We need to make these investments because maintaining a secure border ranks among the most fundamental missions of any sovereign nation
While our country needs security at our borders in order to slow the flow of illegal immigration and enhance our national security, we still need to do more. A majority of the people who enter America illegally, after all, come here to work. Among other things, the full Senate will need to address ways we can balance security interests with our economy's labor needs.
( A note from Felicia: So, in terms of "balancing security interests with economic needs," I assume that Frist was thinking of the guest-worker tactic. Still thinking about that cheap labor, I guess! By the way, Frist's bill, S. 2454 failed as well. )
In the long term, our government needs to work on policies that encourage democracy and prosperity abroad which will also address our immigration crisis by reducing the number of people who feel that coming to the United States is their only option.
Let me be clear, I do not support amnesty, but I do understand the labor challenges facing our nation, and, as Majority Leader, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address this critical problem in the 109th Congress. On the basis of sound immigration policy, we can protect our borders, and continue to welcome legal immigrants, and in doing both we will improve the lives of all Americans.
Sincerely,
William H. Frist, M.D.
Majority Leader
United States Senate
P.S. Please visit http://frist.senate.gov to register for my e-mail newsletter.
Sen. Frist again mentions the economic/labor challenges in the U.S. He continues toward the idea of supporting those who are already here. Sen. Frist was once stronger on illegal immigration, but he simply gave in to pressure in the Senate to get something done, coming to an agreement with Democrats on allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay and to eventually become legal. But it's not what Americans want or need.
Sen. Frist also mentions in his letter that he is in support of a sound immigration policy that favors LEGAL immigrants. A good, sound, and legal immigration policy in my opinion, is one that would first have to begin with the securing of our borders, then the evacuation of many of the illegals that are here.
President Bush wants a guest worker program for illegals to fill jobs that Americans won't do. Excuse me, there are many people in the U.S. who are legal and are against anyone who are not legal in our country... taking our jobs. And yes, Americans are doing the menial jobs, that is just an excuse for illegals to be here.
As young Americans start out in the job market, they usually do the lower paying jobs. Then, they normally work their way up. That is how it usually works out. Teens and young adults would be happy to do the jobs for a few extra dollars, I've been there, done that. So, illegals are taking the jobs away from Americans.
If I am annoyed over this whole mess, you can imagine many other people are as well. I am receiving feedback from frustrated people who want Congress to get something done regarding illegal immigration, and many are considering the option of not voting come election time. I highly advise against doing this because imagine the possibility of really good, decent candidates, capable of representing the public very well. Imagine the possibility of them running, and we decide to stay home? If you don't vote, you don't have a voice. And that doesn't feel right to me. Even if one votes Independent or for a write-in candidate, at least vote. I would advise to pay attention to the candidates that are running in your area whom you believe have potential, pass on your concerns to them and then, vote for them if they back you up. It's about looking at the person. If a specific political party isn't delivering, then the answer is not to retaliate by not voting, our future is too important for that. Please stay interested in local candidates running this year, and continue to be very vocal about the issues you care about.
I do believe there are concerned leaders who want to represent the people well in Congress who may be running, and it's up to us to put them there. It's time to get rid of the do-nothings in Washington who currently do not listen to their constituency. This is a vital time in our nation's history, we must continue to pressure our leaders to hear us regarding border security.
Someone has caught my attention in this ongoing immigration debacle...Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado. Cong. Tancredo is a man who doesn't mince words when it comes to illegal immigration. He is a man who is in line with how I believe we should approach the illegal immigration issue. Tancredo is the only person who has said that anyone who is here illegally should leave. For that, he is often alienated from the Republican party.
I also believe that Tancredo's position on illegal immigration played a factor as to why he was not invited to this year's Southern Republican Leadership Conference. The top politicians were at the Conference to position themselves for a 2008 presidential run, many made good points in their speeches, but to me, it will be those on the "outside of the Republican loop" who will make all the difference with the American people come 2008.
Sometimes in order to stand for the right thing, one must stand alone. But in this case, I'm standing with Congressman Tancredo, he has the right idea, and is standing for America.
I am considering him as a possible contender for the Republican nomination in 2008. He is the sort of person I would want leading this nation, because he genuinely is concerned about our vitality as a nation and he has the passion to do what is right. I see Cong. Tancredo as a strong individual, not a politician pandering for votes. He is a man who knows what values he stands on and will not compromise them. If no one else stands out to me, he already has my vote!
The delay tactic
Since the Senate decided to put the immigration issue on hold until after Easter, I am continuing with my campaign... writing Senators, the President, and my Rep. in the House ( my hat is off to the House for approving an awesome bill--H.R. 4477 ) about illegal immigration. I will keep pounding it into their heads that I think they are ignoring the American people and may suffer come election time because of it. Solving the illegal immigration issue is such an important issue. It's not something that our leaders should put off.
I would like to see Senators bring up all the facts on the Senate floor as to why illegal immigration is bad for our country... lay them all out and then, make a common sense decision based on what is said. I want them to consider the thousands of voices of Americans who have written to them who say that something needs to be done about border security. We need a strong immigration bill. We need to enforce our laws!
This really isn't hard. The Senate should do an up or down vote on H.R. 4477, and let it be done with. November is coming quickly, those in the Senate shouldn't forget that they could easily be replaced. And I will be watching!
Senators up for Re-election in 2006:
http://www.fecinfo.com/2006senate.htm
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