Illegal Border Crossings Stir Citizen Anger
By Thomas D. Segel (04/22/05)
What can we expect from an Executive Branch and Congress that have failed to defend this country? Everyone knows it isn’t the safety of our citizens. The Washington politicos voted into existence an airport security system that isn’t any better than it was before 9/11. The administration and lawmakers have failed to provide us with adequate port inspections. If it were not our most serious issue, even their attempts at border security would be a joke.
The convoluted logic of those in Washington D.C. boggles the minds of most Americans. Though actions or non-actions set into motion by power brokers grow out of partisan positions, their inability to develop a strong immigration and border protection plan can only be rationalized if we universally hold the belief everyone inside the Capitol beltway is brain-dead.
People across the United States really do understand what is going on in Washington. Stacy Roberts, writing from California expresses some of his family’s views saying “The guys in power – both parties- are not interested in prosecuting the people who hire illegal aliens. If they would crack down on that front we should see a lot fewer illegal immigrants. Look at what happens when the police crack down on Johns as well as hookers. The problems shrink tremendously.”
Jewel Sheldon of Washington wants something done about the millions already in our country. “I would like to see every illegal in this country deported. Forget the vegetables. I can do without them. We were able to feed our citizens and most of the world before illegals and we can do it again.”
From Texas comes this message from June Venable, “Until our President decides he’s on our side, I’m afraid the problems will increase. Thank heaven for the brave souls in the Minuteman Project.”
Depending upon what inaccurate figures you accept, there are 7 million or 8 million or 10 million… or this week 11 million illegal aliens inside the United States. Texas claims to know there are more than 1 million illegals in the Lone Star State. California claims it has 2, 210,000 such residents. Illinois says it has about 500,000 undocumented people in the state. Florida thinks its number is some place between 700,000 and 800,000. Arizona lists figures in the 300,000 range. Even North Dakota, where the entire population can be added up on a hand calculator, says that 4,000 illegal aliens are inside its borders.
There is a big problem when one views such numbers. If we can quote the numbers of illegal aliens inside our country in the millions and hundreds of thousands, does it seem logical to believe there are no dangerous people in the mix? We already know that in states such as California and Texas more than 25% of the prison population is made up of illegal aliens who have committed everything from drug running to murder. Other states also report large numbers of incarcerated aliens. We know these criminals abound within the hoards that race across our undefended boundaries. That being the case, why should we also take the national lawmaker position and assume there are no terrorists within the mix?
Our Border Patrol claims it has apprehended or turned back at least 25% of those who try to illegally enter this country. If that were our track record we surely wouldn’t want it in print. Twenty five percent effectiveness on any other job in this country would earn everyone involved a pink slip. So, the Border Patrol either needs a mass firing, or it needs four times today’s manpower.
Emails from every region of the country confirm to this writer that just about everyone has solid answers to our security problems. Everyone has answers except Washington.
Guy Gabaldon is a Marine hero who was nominated for the Medal of Honor and received the Navy Cross after single handedly capturing more than 1,500 Japanese soldiers on Saipan. He later ran for public office. “When I ran for Congress in California part of my platform was to shut down the Tijuana crossing until they got their act together. We are going down fast and are doing nothing to stop the invasion.”
From Colorado, Cindy Knox writes “We have a mechanism in place that allows people to immigrate legally. In my opinion, that is the only way people should come into this country, except for students and tourists. Students and tourists should be allowed a specific time to be here. Immigration officials should have a tracking method for them and when their time is up, they should be returned to their country. If they do not go willingly, they should not be granted reentry into the United States.”
None of the ideas are unique. What people want are common sense solutions to national problems. Bill Frances writing from California says…”If we know there are millions of illegal aliens living in the United States, why are we not arresting and deporting thousands upon thousands of them every month.”
John Boring, who lives in Arizona, writes, “I support an open border policy. A side effect to a program of open border crossings would be that Mexico, with incentives, would become involved and would do their part in catching the bad guys before they got to our gates. If they didn’t the incentives would dry up. Sounds to me like a better plan than patrolling endless miles of fences, washes and rivers to catch 25 percent of those risking their lives in such a hostile environment.”
Beau Garcia, who identifies himself as a Chicano-Filipino suggests, “Of course, I am for increased Homeland Security…but legality above all, simple as that. And one thing that might help is to come down hard on every apartment manager, business owner, employer who provides for these illegals by giving them a safe harbor.”
Take for example the state of New Mexico. From what is heard, there seem to be many “safe harbors” there. The state reports there are 1, 903, 289 illegal aliens in New Mexico. If it can provide such expect numbers right down to the individual, they must have all been counted. If they can be counted….they can be apprehended.
We must also remember that the figures being quoted by everyone reflect relatively new statistics. You will recall in 1986, the United States granted amnesty to those illegal or undocumented immigrants residing in the country. So, this influx of people, who we know absolutely nothing about, has taken place during the past 19 years.
Those who understand border issues are not anti immigration. Rational people realize it is the immigrant population that has fueled the engine of this nation for more than 200 years. However, they demand we have an immigration policy that conforms to the reality of the times. We are in a war which could last for decades and we must know who is in our country at all times.
Frank and Christina Aebi have Hispanic relatives in Houston. They report that during a recent visit family members were complaining about people crossing into Texas and getting entitlements that even they did not receive. “They say that they worked here all their lives and now the money and Medicare and Medicaid are going to illegals. They even spoke in favor of the Minutemen. They told us about one of the TV channels in Houston that tells illegals to come to meetings where they will learn about all the rights they have. They also said on television that lawyers would be provided if illegals were arrested for anything.” Frank concluded his remarks saying “There seems to be growing resentment in the legal Hispanic community.”
Many people residing in the Border States feel a temporary guest worker program is realistic. It would supply those needed hands to harvest crops or fill other unmet labor needs. They also believe it should not give resident status. At the same time detention facilities should be constructed, capable of housing the huge number of people who elect to ignore our laws. Legislation needs to be passed that would provide for speedy deportation. Also, an honest effort should be made to deport the millions of illegals now residing in the country…and they should not qualify for guest worker status. Most important of all, our government should demand that both Mexico and Canada make serious efforts in a partnership to control the borders.
Will any of this wish list become law? Never, if we depend upon the weak willed politicians who place party politics in front of national security. The only way it will happen is for outraged citizens to express their anger to Congress and the Administration. Only then will our political wimps grow backbones.
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