The low rumble has started - can you hear it where you are? It's the sound of the nation's next big reform movement.
Immigration reform! Immigration reform! Immigration reform! The movement is gaining momentum.
Now that the massive health care reform bill has been signed into law (never mind for now that its constitutionality is being challenged by several state attorneys general) the next big agenda item is what to do with the more than 12 million illegal aliens in our country.
Regular readers know why I don't use the politically correct phrase: "undocumented workers." To me it's like calling a drug dealer an "undocumented pharmacist" or someone who robs banks an "undocumented money handler." I don't say this to personally denigrate those who are in our country illegally, but it is an undeniable fact that the 12 million in question are breaking the law every single day they remain in this country.
Who wants to have to live like that? And what kind of country forces such legal limbo on people year after year?
We've got to act and there are only three alternatives. Let the broken system continue, try to deport all 12 million illegals (yeah, good luck with that) or come up with a functioning, responsible immigration policy. One that is heartfelt and humane but serious and stern enough to steer those who are already here - helping America function every day - become legal taxpaying citizens.
Truly effective immigration policy must include iron-fisted border protection. It must come down hard on unscrupulous employers who knowingly hire inexpensive illegal workers. And it must act swiftly to remove any worker convicted of a serious crime or one who fails to live up to their documentation responsibilities.
Now, having said all that, I'd like to directly address those who would like to make America their permanent, legal home.
Go ahead with your peaceful rallies, like the recent "March for America" in Washington D.C. where tens of thousands of immigration reform supporters hit the streets. But, please, stop with the demands that this country somehow owes you something. Be thankful that immigration agents didn't wade into the crowd to arrest the illegals at your rally. Be grateful that you've gotten to live here as long as you have. And realize that I, along with a lot of other Americans, am turned off watching your foreign flags flutter in the breeze while you chant, "Give us change, give it now!"
I was heartened at the enormous turnout and peaceful nature of the Washington event. I hoped our nation's lawmakers took notice and became energized to finally tackle the immigration issues that have been allowed to languish for so long. But then I heard the Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, head of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, declare, "This is our Selma!"
It was a shameful thing to equate what happened in Selma, Alabama in 1965 - a series of marches by African American citizens demanding that the voting rights law be upheld so they could freely exercise their right to cast a ballot - to today's struggle by illegal aliens. Those brave and bloody marches were to make sure laws already on the books were respected and enforced. This struggle is on behalf of those who openly violate our laws. No comparison.
Is America perfect? No. Is it better than where you hail from? Apparently, or you likely wouldn't be here. Have we allowed our immigration situation to become a mess? You bet we have and shame on those elected officials who've failed to tackle the massive problem year after year. Shame on us, the voters, for not insisting that something definitive be done a lot sooner.
Look, no thoughtful human being can fail to acknowledge the contribution these workers make to our economy. We should never lose sight of the plight of illegal aliens, driven by the desire to provide better for their families, who live every day in fear that immigration agents will knock on their door. But at the same time they must admit they are in a situation of their own making, held hostage by the consequences of their choice to live in a country illegally.
Yes, I now hear the low rumble rolling across the land. I'm glad the immigration issue is picking up steam. But if there's one lesson to be learned from the painfully divisive health care battle we all just endured - we have to keep America's best interests at heart. Not the best interests of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, or even the best interests of those trying to step onto the pathway to citizenship.
If you've never written to your senator or congressman, do it now. Insist on a completely open, honest and focused debate on immigration policy - one that puts America first. Then, remind your elected official that you vote.
Diane Dimond can be contacted through her web site: www.DianeDimond.com
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You have to step back and ask yourself what are we doing here. Just who's rights to freedom is our government responsible to. The government expects us to pay taxes for WHAT? for WHOM? What other country in the WORLD, would even listen to such demands? What other country in the world would allow such masses of illegal aliens take such control and make such demands.
It's taken our government over 200 years to consider healthcare for it's own tax paying citizens.
This is not democracy, it's a free for all. If the draft were reinstated because we were bombed or nuked by another country --- who would sign up their children as sacrifices... what and WHO are we fighting to protect? Half of the kids in US schools in CA have dual citizenship and would NOT join the draft and defect . Their parents would keep their properties, their long list of relatives would be able to stay withtheir dual citizenshp while their kids of draft age would be returned . We have few allies and are likely to have fewer in years to come. We refuse - do not protect those who have made this country what it is. All our forefather's who were laid to rest in previous wars is for nothing.
It's always fun to read the musings of the ahistorical on immigration matters, but unless we recognize that some portion of our problems at the southern border derive from our own sorry history of conquest there, we will understand very little about the people who, having lived in that area of the North American continent for 10,000 years before the first white man arrived (yep, most of our 'illegals' are Native American-- they just happen to speak Spanish due to another set of historical misfortunes), have shown so little respect for our lines in the sand.
US history is the same as Mexico's history.
The Spanish came, exteminated most locals, founded their colony, then it won it's independace.
Do you think Spanish is the language of native south americans?
100% native south americans are very small part of the population.
In the US, throughout all but our most recent history, Black Americans were considered Black if they were only 1/8 Black and 7/8 white. The peoples of Mexico, Central and South Americas have a much higher percentage of Native American blood in them than US Blacks have of African blood. That's why I think it's accurate to call these people Native Americans.
And THESE PEOPLE who you refer to were paid under prevailing wage and manned the army of landscapers, carpenters, plasterers and painters that made the real estate boom of the last decade such a profitable enterprise for Middle America. Now that the boom has soured, of course it's time THESE PEOPLE were shown the gate. After all, there's no money for us now in having them around. Interestingly, in your comment to me I see no mention of prosecuting those who profited by 'illegal' labor.
The People would agree to amnesty for those here illegally and the Government would agree to enforce laws against employing illegal immigrants.
After the law passed, the Government turned around fought every enforcement measure to completely eliminate employer sanctions. And they know where they work and who employs them, they each a letter every year. See No Match Notices link below. So after we legalized 3 million, 15 million more rushed in. If we legalize 15 million, 75 million more?
So lets finish implementing our current Immigration Reform (Simpson-Mazzoli) and enforce “no-match” letters and require E-Verify for a while and be fair.
The Government needs to show some good faith and keep their promises from Simpson-Mazzoli act. Enforce our current law for a while before you ask the American people to once again trust you when you say your willing to actually do any of the enforcement that will be part of any new Immigration Reform.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Verify
http://www.ssa.gov/employer/noMatchNotices.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/immigration-reform-and-control-act-of-1986
That is the silliest pro amnesty argument I have ever heard.
Did we "force" them to come???
Do we "force" them to atay???
I use the term "black" because no one person i know is African American because they are born here not in Africa.
Diane Dimond show some compassion to those poor undocumented kids here not by their own choice but that of their parents, I don't think a 5 year old can really say "No mom i don't want to leave my poor country to try and make a better life for myself and my family."
Wait times of 10-15 years are why many come here "illegally" as you put it.
Please….I make it clear I have great empathy for what drives people to break the law to come to another country. But the fact remains – THEY’VE BROKEN OUR LAWS. If any U.S. citizen did that in another country we’d be in jail. Period. – DD
ps. I know plenty of people who were born in Africa and many Black Americans who request to be called African-American.