My solution for Bush and Frist is to explicitely seperate these issues. As you say, "first turn off the water." The amnesty crowd is holding border security hostage to "reform" which really equates to amnesty, as it is currently proposed.
I want Bush to table all issues regarding immigration except securing the borders. No new initiatives against illegals who are here already for right now or the employers who hire them (again, for right now). No new proposals about a possible amnesty or some sort of crackdown. Just table it until the borders are secure.
Then turn the question of the borders over to the DOD. I have some fairly specific (though likely flawed) ideas about expanding the role of the Coast Guard to be a general border guard with further responsbility as a rapid reaction force for any domestic disaster or as the lead agency responding to a domestic terrorist attack.
And only when we have clear control of our borders do we open up the question of what to do with the 12+ million who have come here illegally.
By the way, very nice post summarizing and expanding on the key issues in the immigration debate. No simplistic answers and no slogans, just very good analysis and supporting facts. Nicely done.
I agree with you. The House bill essentially does that. The problem is that the Dems in the Senate don't want to separate the issues. They are using immigration reform legislation as a quid pro quo for a watered down border security measure. As I indicated, the Dems want the issue rather than a solution. What the GOP must do is reframe the issue to get political leverage.
I want Bush to table all issues regarding immigration except securing the borders. No new initiatives against illegals who are here already for right now or the employers who hire them (again, for right now). No new proposals about a possible amnesty or some sort of crackdown. Just table it until the borders are secure.
That would be a good start. Bush got out in front of the Reps in Congress. He should have supported the House bill initially, but you can't unring a bell.
Then turn the question of the borders over to the DOD. I have some fairly specific (though likely flawed) ideas about expanding the role of the Coast Guard to be a general border guard with further responsbility as a rapid reaction force for any domestic disaster or as the lead agency responding to a domestic terrorist attack.
I have problems with DOD getting involved directly. The Coast Guard is part of Homeland Security and should be involved. DOD (including the National Guard) is the only Federal Agency who can provide a rapid reaction force for a major domestic disaster or terrorist attack. DHS can still be the lead agency.
And only when we have clear control of our borders do we open up the question of what to do with the 12+ million who have come here illegally.
It is the right approach. Unfortunately, it may be too late to separate it from immigration reform. The WH and Reps in Congress must make a unified, coordinated effort to reframe the issue.
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/glossary.htm
Deportable Alien - An alien in and admitted to the United States subject to any grounds of removal specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes any alien illegally in the United States, regardless of whether the alien entered the country by fraud or misrepresentation or entered legally but subsequently violated the terms of his or her nonimmigrant classification or status.
U. S. Code, Title 8, Chapter 12, Sub-Chapter II, Part VIII
Section 1325. Improper entry by alien
(a) Improper time or place; avoidance of examination or inspection;
misrepresentation and concealment of facts
Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States
at any time or place other than as designated by immigration
officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration
officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United
States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the
willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first
commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or
imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent
commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or
imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) Improper time or place; civil penalties
Any alien who is apprehended while entering (or attempting to
enter) the United States at a time or place other than as
designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil
penalty of -
(1) at least $50 and not more than $250 for each such entry (or
attempted entry); or
(2) twice the amount specified in paragraph (1) in the case of
an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under
this subsection.
Civil penalties under this subsection are in addition to, and not
in lieu of, any criminal or other civil penalties that may be
imposed.
(c) Marriage fraud
Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the
purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be
imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than
$250,000, or both.
(d) Immigration-related entrepreneurship fraud
Any individual who knowingly establishes a commercial enterprise
for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws
shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance
with title 18, or both.