Posted on 11/19/2002 9:30:47 AM PST by madfly
E-Blast
Nov. 18, 2002By Laura Ingraham
When most people think about the "American Dream," family, hard work, God, love of country come to mind. But if "immigrant rights" groups and their supporters in Washington have their way, the dream will also include law-breaking.
With Republicans poised to take control of both house of Congress in January, a legislative quandary awaits them -- a bill called the "Dream Act," the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. Introduced by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch earlier this year, it would make it easier for states to offer in-state tuition rates at state colleges, and also would grant students lawful residency upon graduation from high school if they had lived in the country at least five years. (They could file for a conditional green card, and thus could legally drive and work.)
Why do conservatives like Hatch, and his House colleague Rep. Chris Cannon, support a bill that would reward illegality? Colorado's Rep. Tom Tancredo, a bulldog for enforcing our immigration laws, thinks it's a combination of politics (attracting Latino votes) and money (insuring business-owners a constant source of cheap labor). Hatch insists that the undocumented students -- by some estimates as many 600,000 in our high schools-"are assimilated into American culture…and grow up to be contributors to society."
That the majority of the illegal immigrant students want to work hard and better their lives is not in question. The problem is that for each slot an illegal immigrant takes at a state college or university, it is one less spot for American students or for immigrants who have followed immigration laws and procedures. (Illegals can also apply in the category of "international admissions.") And let's not forget, our new Homeland Security Department will have enough on its hands with 8 million illegals here, along with the 300,000 subject to deportation but on the loose.
For some outlandish reason, there is no specific federal prohibition against colleges and universities enrolling illegal immigrants. However, federal law places some restrictions on allowing such students to pay in-state tuition rates, and it prohibits them from receiving federal financial aid.
The pending Hatch-Cannon legislation will be a test for Republicans, who are ever-mindful of the growing influence Hispanics have in elections coast to coast. In the 2002 mid-term elections, many Republican candidates nationwide did better than expected among Hispanic voters. New York Governor George Pataki improved his support among Hispanic voters, chiefly due to his support for legalizing some illegals in the state. Governor Jeb Bush won a majority of the Latino vote, receiving strong support from Cuban-Americans.
Fearful of reprisals at the voting booth, the GOP has largely avoided taking on such these immigration-related issues. "When it comes to immigration, the president's approach is guided by compassion and fairness," said Sharon Castillo, an RNC spokesperson.
But isn't fairness supposed to be ensured by following the rule of law? President Bush's message on everything from fighting terror to corporate corruption is grounded in respecting the laws of the land. When people who set out to thwart our legal system are rewarded with benefits that are designated for law-abiding Americans and immigrants, why should we expect any would-be immigrants to go through the hassle of following our immigration laws?
Some states such as California, New York and Texas are already dangling carrots along the border. All passed bills allowing admission and in-state tuition for illegals. Several other states are considering similar measures.
Yet if there is a national trend toward bending the rules to allow greater access to education for illegals, Virginia's Republican Attorney General Jerry Kilgore wants no part of it. To the great consternation and outrage of groups like the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, he recently directed his state's public colleges not to enroll illegals. And get this-he also told the institutions to report illegals they discover on campus to federal authorities. (The horror!)
Kilgore is right. Since September 11th, all universities nationwide should be doing everything they can to help the INS track foreign students, not create problems by looking the other way when illegals attempt to take advantage of benefits designated for those here lawfully. Yet our federal government is on the verge of giving state universities the green light to do just that with the so-called Dream Act. It is already a nightmare for our understaffed, under-funded Border Patrol to enforce our borders, it will only get worse with the beacon of more benefits for law-breakers.
WORD OF THE DAY
Avatar, noun. 1.The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form. 2. An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning. 3. A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity. As in--
Yoga is in its present avatar, with studios popping up coast to coast.
I wonder if Bush would do anything about the illegals he wants to amnesty never having paid their income taxes.
I knew a guy from Hong Kong who overstayed a student visa and was working in the US, he would do exactly that ---only he didn't cross as a tourist. When he wanted to go home for a visit, he'd go to Mexico to fly home and back and then cross the border over the bridge because he didn't have to worry about being stopped. His English was good enough, he'd just say he was American --like so many Mexicans do and that was all.
I agree and am fearful that if we start bombing Iraq there will be a greater need to secure our country. I'm also worried about the safety of the brave volunteers down there.
Amen to that. All my thoughts and hopes for their success and well being go with them. I won't give an inch on our stand with Iraq based on the fact that we might get bitten here, but I do worry that it will happen. I fear it's a little late to tighten up security in regards to that. We're going to have to learn the hard way.
Looks like she has made her point here :). Thanks Laura!
(if you're lurking)
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