Keyes Advocates Continued Policy of Open-Borders Immigration Even After 9-11

WorldNetDaily ^ | February 11, 2002 | Alan Keyes

[rightwing2]

Solving the 'immigration problem'
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
Alan Keyes,2-11-02

If all has gone well, by the time you read this, the world will have gathered in Salt Lake City for the beginning of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Of course, there is nothing new about the world coming to America. Indeed, the Olympics seem an apt metaphor for the country itself. We are a community of people drawn from many nations, united in friendly competition, but united more in friendship and mutual good will. And like a permanent Olympic Village, Americans delight in a friendship and good will that – in defiance of the ages of tribal war and racial conflict around the world – transcend the divisions of race, creed and culture to be truly a community of human persons, as such.

America stands for more than herself in any time, but now more than ever. As the tattered flag from the World Trade Center concretely demonstrated in the opening ceremony, the American flag is a symbol of all humanity. In our diversity, America is of universal significance – all mankind is concerned in the fate of America, and we, in turn, have a concern in the fate of all mankind. For America is a community of all mankind. And our current conflict with the forces of terror is a struggle against a threat to all human beings.

For these reasons, it is ironic that some argue we must respond to the threat of terror – and to the longstanding challenges of immigration – by abandoning America's tradition of openness to the world. In this moment of unexpected renewal of America's significance for the world, we must take care above all not to lose sight ourselves of the legitimacy of the aspirations of millions of people around the world to participate in the dignity of self-government that is preeminently found in American citizenship. God willing, it will always remain true that the dream of becoming an American will inspire people everywhere, because it is one way to lay effective claim to respect for the dignity all men share. Immigration into America will remain a legitimate hope for millions, so long as America remains a beachhead of human dignity in a world of tyranny and oppression.

Successful incorporation of immigrants into the American body politic is important not just for their sake, but for the vindication it represents of the fundamental American faith that dignified self-government is the vocation of all people, everywhere. We take the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and we turn them into free men and women. And each time we do so, the rulers they left behind are convicted again by this proof that it is not the people who are unfit for liberty, but the governments that are unworthy of the people.

The immigration "problem" in America today is not a question of numbers, but of our failure effectively to welcome those who do come by educating them in American principles, and evoking their real commitment of heart to the unique American way of life that represents a hope for the destiny of the world. We have largely abandoned the process of educating newcomers in the special principles of the American way of life. This failure, of course, is the natural result of the even deeper problem of our own retreat from these principles – for how can we demand of newcomers what we scarcely acknowledge in ourselves? Our own schools have retreated from our commitment to that special understanding of principle, of human dignity, of human justice and of free enterprise that constitute our unique identity and represent a universal appeal for the world.

A renewed dedication to civic education as part of the immigration process would solve a multitude of problems, and renew our national understanding that immigration is not a curse, but a blessing. It would help weed out those who are coming simply for economic reasons, and are unwilling to accept the real discipline of American citizenship – of responsible liberty. And it would, as well, provide a first broad form of security against those who wish to enter America to do us harm. Most importantly, a return to generous but disciplined extension of the citizenship privilege would renew our own hearts. For like the blessings of friendship in the pursuit of excellence that are the best fruit of the Olympics, we cannot extend the blessings of liberty to others without offering them more effectively to ourselves.

[GEC]

If you're worried about numbers, then you should be bleeping like a rabbit.

I am.

Well, as much as my wife will let me anyway.

[ex-snook]

"Sounds like exactly what you said, except you put it all into one word: "assimilation."

You are right. But to me the problem to be solved is assimilation and open borders at this time does not help to solve it.

I would rather Dr Keyes first addressed how to solve the assimilation problem before advocating opening the borders. In fact, in the absence of an assimilation solution, open borders would make the probem it worse.

[uscit]

So Keyes joins the media elite in promoting the idea of the U.S. as the "first universal nation." There must be some kind of liberal virus you get on immigration views when you spend a lot of time in the newsrooms of the major networks. Screw 'em all.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

President Bush must be getting ready to close the borders.

Hold on now. Any minute, someone will be along to explain what this piece really means. (My guess? It was either a typo storm, or he was being sarcastic and we just haven't caught on yet.)

[Reaganwuzthebest]

There must be some kind of liberal virus you get on immigration views when you spend a lot of time in the newsrooms of the major networks.

It is amazing how so many politicians will talk tough about immigration on the campaign trail, but when they get to Washington or the state capital, suddenly it's "let's keep the borders open".

[Reaganwuzthebest]

With this kind of leadership and a little bit of luck, President Fox can return to Washington this September and this time the undocumented alien problem can be quickly resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

What solution in your opinion would that be?

I know in mine, the only "solution" is to deport those whose first act on our soil was to break the law. Alan Keyes has a right to his views, but it has no suppport in the country, and saying so won't make that happen.

[rightwing2]

Is Keyes being co-opted due to wanting the ratings and money? What has been his position on this prior to this?

Let me be fair to Keyes here in stating that his position on immigration has been quite consistent. He has supported it all his political life from what I can gather. However, I did not believe that he would continue his unbridled support for open-borders immigration beyond 9-11. Even Bush, who had earlier supported amnestying all illegal immigrants from Mexico in one form or another, has felt pressure to do something to expel illegal immigrants and increase border security in an effort to avert future 9-11 terrorist attacks. Clearly, Bush is not doing enough to stem the illegal/terrorist immigrant tide and what he is doing is probably temporary. However, it is gratifying to see him do something good on immigration policy after he had declared himself in favor of actually increasing immigration to the US and setting up INS welcome centers on the border as recently as last summer. I still think Keyes would make a better national security President than Bush, but his position which is slightly to the left of even our centrist President on this issue is somewhat troubling.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Miss Marple, closet Buchananite? Who woulda thunkit?

[Badray]

I thought that I had read a different article than the one you posted or at least had read it in a different language. If you read slowly and carefully the last 2 paragraphs, I believe that you will see that Dr Keyes is not recommending open borders, but IS proposing a solution to the problem that does exist.

We must educate not only the legal immigrants that we allow in but also we must educate ourselves. Nothing could be more true.

[Miss Marple]

Nope. I am a proud supporter of President Bush, who always has the best interests of the country at heart. Crack down on immigration is coming, despite what all the anti-Bush people are saying.

Keyes is taking Bill Kristol's position on immigration, which I do not agree with. I also do not agree with the Buchanan position. I favor compassion and common sense, always keeping the best interests of America paramount.

[boltfromblue]

We used to assimilate people well over a generation at least and do know that education brings that about.. I think Keyes' approach may be a way to reject those who obviously don't have what it takes to become naturalized citizens. That he did not address anything to do with numbers permitted per year, or excluding some natiions only tells us he leaves that to those who know the logistics of training , intelligence, etc. If you're making education a main focus, whether on Msnbc or the Declaration Foundation, etc. do you need to cover ALL the policy decisions w/o good information before you speak on the need for all of us to be better educated. and intentioned.

[ex-snook]

"I also do not agree with the Buchanan position. I favor compassion and common sense, always keeping the best interests of America paramount. "

Maybe you do agree with Buchanan more than you think! Buchanan wants to end illegals jumping in at the ahead of others and a time-out until legals are assimilated. That sounds like compassion and common sense.

[Free the USA]

Bump List

[Fish out of Water]

Immigration: Acause of the Clash of Civilizations or a Solution to It ?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Any minute, someone will be along to explain what this piece really means.

This is really amusing, Keyes supports the President's attitude towards immigration, takes hits from some of his supporters because of it, and it is taken as some sort of Bush Bashing. In the unlikely case that Keyes is given a political appointment, I am sure that you will find a way to say that by doing this, Bush was Bush-bashing.

It seems to me that this is evidence that you folks are not Bush supporters so much as you are anti-Keyes. If you were not such hypocrites, you would be here at least giving grudging approval for this position.

[Amelia]

I would rather Dr Keyes first addressed how to solve the assimilation problem before advocating opening the borders. In fact, in the absence of an assimilation solution, open borders would make the probem it worse.

I'm sure he'd recommend his Declaration Foundation as a first step.

[WRhine]

Well Said RW2.

[WRhine]

It is amazing how so many politicians will talk tough about immigration on the campaign trail, but when they get to Washington or the state capital, suddenly it's "let's keep the borders open".

My "guess" on this is that if an aspiring politician wants to climb the latter in DC they have to buy-off on “open borders” or risk being isolated by the power brokers and labeled as a "racist". Multiculturalism infiltrated the Republican Party a few years ago and if anyone doubts this just take a look at the last republican convention or Bush's constant pandering to the growing 3rd world contingent in the U.S.

[Miss Marple]

Apparently you are not keeping up with some of the news. There is currently a crack-down on immigration underway. Soldiers are going to be stationed at the borders. Illegal aliens are being searched for and when found, deported or arrested.

All of these things I was assured by the anti-Bush people would not happen. I am almost certain there will be tightening of immigration laws and procedures, given the information that has come from the administration over the last couple of weeks.

Keyes is taking a stand that is not consistent with what the administration is proposing. My comment at the beginning of this thread indicates my belief that were President Bush to tell us the sky is blue, Keyes would spend lots of time and words telling us why it is really, really, green. And then some people would tell us that we just didn't understand what he said, that blue is a component of green, and he was really agreeing with the President.

[WRhine]

Sorry Fish but if I were looking for intelligent commentary on immigration I certainly would not be interested in the unlimited immigration opinions of Ben Wattenburg. He is one of the many open border types that are trying to find new relevancy after 9/11 proved just how wrong-headed their positions on immigration are. Much like Bob Bartley of the WSJ who had the distinction of talking about no borders just one week before 9/11. These folks live in a dream world devoid of all reality.