Immigrant Realities: President Bush's proposal helps America's security and economy

Opinion Journal ^ | 01/06/04 | editorial board

[Pokey78]

The debate over President Bush's new immigration reform has so far been mainly about election-year politics. But what we believe most commends it is that it recognizes the world as it exists.

Like it or not, the U.S. is part of an integrating regional and world economy in which the movement of people across borders is inevitable. Despite nearly 20 years of efforts to "crack down on the borders," the immigrants keep coming--an estimated eight million without legal U.S. documents today. As long as the per capita income differential between the U.S. (nearly $32,000) and Mexico ($3,679) continues to be so wide, we can't stop immigrants short of means that will violate our traditions, our conscience, and our national interest.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Thanks again for the thoughtful post.

I have to say to Jeffersonian option is more in keeping with my personal preferences, and I've done my best. We'll have to see if GWB will make room for the letter of law at this point.