Keeping An Eye On National Security And Illegal Immigrants.
By Robert Klein Engler (12/06/04)
Even though the presidential election is over and many conservatives now breathe a sigh of relief, this is not the time to turn a watchful eye away from some of the problems left unsolved by the reelection of President Bush. Chief among those problems is illegal immigration to the U. S.
Consider three examples in the recent news that we ought to watch closely: the terrible murder November 2nd of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, the Arizona ballot initiative, Proposition 200, which denies some services to illegals, and the mounting pressure to water down the 9/11 defense bill by not including a provision that denies drivers licenses to illegal aliens.
The problems associated with uncontrolled immigration are no longer just problems facing the U. S. Although many in the media don't want to admit it, the European Union is having its share of immigration problems, too. According to Associated Press Writer Anthony Deutsch (November 10, 2004), "One of the most popular politicians in the Netherlands (Geert Wilders) said...the country's democracy is under threat and called for a five-year halt to non-Western immigration in the wake of the killing of a Dutch filmmaker by a suspected Muslim radical."
Geert Wilders went on to say, "If you chose radical Islam you can leave, and if you don't leave voluntarily then we will send you away. This is the only message possible." Wilders added, that "without swift, bold action, Islamic fundamentalism will topple the country's democratic system."
Meanwhile, in Brussels, European Union leaders met to discuss immigration. Then they did something that we would like to see happen in the U. S. "The EU justice and interior ministers agreed to demand that new immigrants learn the language of their adopted countries and adhere to 'European values' to guide them toward better integration."
The voters of Arizona may have echoed the sentiment of the European Union. The recent passage of Proposition 200 in Arizona is a good example of what can be done, even if politicians don't want to do anything. Proposition 200, which denies some public services to illegal immigrants, was opposed by many prominent elected officials in Arizona, including Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican Sen. John McCain. Some Hispanic advocacy groups, labor unions and civil rights organizations also opposed Proposition 200. Nevertheless, it passed with 56 percent of the vote.
Unfortunately, as of December 2nd, U. S. District Judge David C. Bury blocked the implementation of Proposition 200, saying attorneys raised serious questions about its constitutionality and its potential conflicts with federal law. The judged granted a temporary restraining order and set a Dec. 22 hearing on evidence for and against the anti-illegal immigration measure (“The Arizona Republic,” Dec. 1, 2004 ). Regardless of the restraining order, proponents of Proposition 200 believe they will eventually prevail.
Earlier, writing in the “Washington Times” (10 November), reporter Jerry Seper states, "The passage of an Arizona immigration initiative requiring verifiable identification to vote or receive public benefits has spurred similar efforts in other states... Of course, the Mexican government whose immigration policies are an act of war against the U. S., said in Seper's article that the initiative "will lead to discrimination based on racial profiling while limiting access to basic health and educational services."
While we do not expect sane immigration and border security policies from the Mexicans, it is another story from the U. S. Congress. At the moment, Congress is debating the 9/11 Recommendation Implementation Act. The purpose of the act is to put in place the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Many of these recommendations will bring about reforms in intelligence and national security.
The 9/11 Commission recommended that drivers licenses not be given to illegal immigrants. This recommendation seems obvious, yet many in Congress want to pass a bill that does not include this provision. We have to ask why is the drivers license issue even up for discussion? It's just common sense that people who are in this country illegally should not be able to drive or do anything else, except maybe drive themselves out of the country. Law-abiding Americans must wonder how any elected representative who has sworn to uphold the laws and Constitution of the U. S. can look the other way when illegal immigrants violate these very laws.
The rumor is that the Bush Administration wants to bend over backwards to appease the immigration lobby and prefers a bill without the drivers license provision. Nevertheless, there is intense lobbying going on from the other side. NumbersUSA and other groups have launched a phone and e-mail campaign to make sure that any legislation coming from the 9/11 Commission's report includes a provision that prevents illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses.
Some of the 9/11 families are adamant about including a drivers license provision in the bill. Writing in “The Washington Times” (December 01, 2004), reporters Stephen Dinan and Brian DeBose quote Joan Molinaro, mother of a New York City firefighter who died September 11. She argued, "You allowed the murder of my son. I will not allow you to kill my daughters...No bill should pass the Senate, the House, anywhere, unless it contains immigration reform—you secure our borders, you keep my girls alive."
House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.), is fighting to keep the drivers license prohibition in the bill against strong pressure from the White House and pro-immigration advocates. According to Chairman Sensenbrenner, "The 19 murderers on Sept. 11 got 63 separate legally-issued drivers licenses from five states. They used those to open bank accounts and to get on the plane."
It just makes sense to Sensenbrenner and most Americans to deny illegal aliens and potential terrorists drivers licenses. In light of Theo van Gogh's murder in Amsterdam and the passing of Proposition 200 in Arizona, Sensenbrenner may have more sense than those members of Congress who oppose him. It would be good for our national security if the message sent by Arizona voters about illegal immigration would be heard loud and clear in Washington, D. C.
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