That increase all happened under the status quo. Right? Don't you think we have to change that?
Right now, there are two huge problems. The first is the illegals we already have here, and the second is that more are pouring over the border all the time. And those illegals are pouring over even though the amnesty provisions of this new bill have not yet been enacted. Yet, they're coming over anyway. Plenty of illegals come here, and remain here illegally for years, without ever getting amnesty.
You apparently refuse to recognize the political reality that there are not enough votes in Congress to throw all the current illegals out. So no matter how much you might prefer that, the votes don't exist. Those people are going to stay here, amnesty or no. And whether you like it or not. I hate to break the news to you, but your personal preferences aren't going to change the way Harry Reid and Arlen Spector vote.
So if there isn't enough political muscle to kick out the current crop of illegals, then we've at least got to stop more from arriving. Personally, if the border is secured, I don't think it matters much whether those illegals already here remain as "illegals" (as they do under the status quo), or remain as "legals" (under amnesty). Either way, they're here, and they're staying. Right?
And if they're going to be staying here anyway because we lack the votes to kick them out, then why not accept a limited amnesty if it is linked to a closing of that border? Doesn't that put us in a better place than we're in today?
Who has propositioned, with any seriousness, that the border will be shut down, with serious resources?
Though that was the claim back in 1986, when amnesty was given: "the borders and immigration laws would be enforced," but it hasn't happened. We're right back to 1986, but with even more illegals.
I'll tell you what I see happening:
In 2021, they'll be talking about giving amnesty to the 30 million illegals in the country and enforcing the proposed "2006 enforcement of the immigration laws and the border."
And in 2036, they'll be talking about giving amnesty to the 60 million illegals in the country and enforcing the proposed "2021 enforcement of the immigration laws and the border."