Thoughts on border control

Vanity | April 17, 2004 | Doug Loss

[Doug Loss]

I was just talking to another volunteer in our Pat Toomey for US Senate campaign here in Pennsylvania, and the discussion turned to President Bush's immigration reform and border control proposals. Neither of us were particularly happy with the proposals, but neither of us had much better ideas, either. But in talking it out, we came up with what I think is an intriguing idea that I'd like to get some of your thoughts on. Here it is.

It seems obvious to us that short of erecting a DMZ across our entire southern border we're not going to be able to stop the flow of people coming into the country from Mexico. While some may think that a desirable response to the problem, realistically it will never happen.

So we're going to have people coming in. How should we approach this? Currently, there is (I think) a quota on how many people are legally allowed to immigrate each year from each country. And the right to legally immigrate isn't all that easy to obtain and takes a fair amount of time to get, which is why so many cross the border illegally.

Here is our idea. When any foreign national comes across the border at a regular crossing, they are interviewed by US border guards. They're asked, "Do you intend to become a US citizen and to reside in the US permanently?" If the answer is yes, they are put into a program of citizenship training (which would include regular checks to ensure that they are working toward citizenship) and let in. Yes, I know, this would eliminate immigration quotas. Folks, those don't mean anything anyway. This way, we would get them working toward becoming full-fledged Americans rather than a shadow population of illegals.

If they answer no, they would be asked, "Do you intend to work in the US for a limited time?" If they answer yes to this, they would be let in under a guest worker program similar to what the President proposed. Let's say it ran for a three year period. If during that period they decided to become a US citizen, they could start attending citizenship classes and convert their status to the first one mentioned here.

If they answer no to the work question, they would have to show a tourist visa (or obtain one from the interviewer, since we're letting everyone in anyway) for a limited time, or perhaps get a day pass if they just have some short-term business to conduct in the US.

The thrust of this proposal is that we will have these people coming in no matter what we do. I think it would be better to have them come through regular crossings and be documented and pushed toward becoming true American citizens rather than having a large group of frightened, illegal, non-Americans hiding in the recesses of our society.

I expect to get some pretty emphatic rejections of this idea, but I hope to get some thoughtful responses too. Let's hear from you!

[I got the rope]

I've spoken to many Mexicans. Some in your state of Pennsylvania (they were picking tomatoes...they were from Guerrero) that couldn't wait to get home when their work was done.

I don't think they really want to stay...they just need work to provide for their families.

[ckilmer]

that the US cannot defend its borders is a BIG LIE. It wouldn't be that tough militarily. The trouble is there is no political consensus currently to do so. But the lack of political consensus is mostly at the top.

both parties are afraid to offend the latin vote.

but superseding that the upper level dems see the illegals as cheap votes and the upper level pubs see the illegals as cheap labor.

in both senses the the USA in general and the middle class in particular is being sold out.

the dems are currently tapping into that middle class malaise in words but the upper level dems are probably more pro illegal than the upper level pubs. the rank and file in both parties is solidly anti illegal for all kinds of reasons.

[monkeywrench]

By focusing on mexican govt., we could solve this problem. Without a huge change there, this will continue.

I'm more than a little dismayed that our govt. would make deals with these corrupt pols. And, now the mexi govt. is talking about setting up shop here to help their people divide us further.

[Penner]

No border = no nation = one-world government.

Immigration can be controlled - we just don't have the will to do it. Apparently Pennsylvania hasn't been overrun yet like the southwestern states have nor have its citizens received the bill to pay for the social costs of immigration. When they do they will be outraged. California, which has the world's fifth or sixth largest economy, is being driven to bankruptcy because its taxpayers can no longer afford to support poor immigrants.

If we don't control our southern border America will be another Mexico. Is that what you want?

[elbucko]

We probably also need to amend the Constitution so that children born in this country to foreign nationals are not by birth US citizens.

The modification or elimination of that clause in the 14th. Amendment would discourage a lot of immigration. The US, to my knowledge, is the only country in the the world that confers automatic citizenship by simply being born on American soil. However, the Democrats will never go for it. The 14th. Amendment is one of their sacred cows and a useful tool for their agenda. Except for 14th Amendment equality of the 2nd. Amendment.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

OK, you are in charge. Now go get 'em!

[Iberian]

Militirazing the borders works for me. We must be able to tell the difference between a Mexican and an Arab. We must keep the freaking arabs out of here, but we need our friends from the south to help with the labor.

As far as the Canadians go just close the borders because thats how the SOB's are getting in.

[jocon307]

"The US, to my knowledge, is the only country in the the world that confers automatic citizenship by simply being born on American soil."

HAH! And when you think about it, it is only due to a poorly drafted document. The purpose of the 14th Amendment was to confer full citizenship on those people who had been slaves. And it was fine for that purpose, but look at all the "collateral damage" it has caused. The inability of the law to recognize the unborn as people, the conferring of US citizenship (which I have recently seen described as the single most valuable attribute on earth) on any child born within these borders, regardless of how many laws were broken to occaision the delivery to take place here.

Truly and example of the law of unintended consequences.

[Iberian]

Would you not make it a life long dream to deliver an American child here. To be born to the greatest society imaginable is a dream of itself.
There are a lots of people who want that, and for us it shoud be a win win except for Muslims who would polute our society like they have France, Spain and others.

[tiki]

I really don't have a solution. It's kind of like drugs, I don't think there is any easy solution.

[B4Ranch]

"Wouldn't it be better to remove the incentive for illegal crossing"


Just end these programs and the illegals will find life isn't a bag of free candy.

Anchor baby Program needs to be retroactively stopped!
"our current laws say we must allow all children a seat in a classroom. If the childs parents meet the poverty limits we will feed these kids a breakfast, a lunch and an after school snack. We will also treat these children and their parents free of charge at our local hospitals for everything from splinter removal to heart surgery. If the family fits the within the rules we will give them housing assistance or even free housing. Of course the food programs are open to them also."

[Marine Inspector]

It seems obvious to us that short of erecting a DMZ across our entire southern border we're not going to be able to stop the flow of people coming into the country from Mexico.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

It can be controlled; unfortunately, our political leaders in Washington do not have the will to do so.

Just enforce the existing laws and cut off all welfare and benefits to illegals.

[Marine Inspector]

Ping.

[BnBlFlag]

This is absolute surrender and nothing but wimpy defeatism. Make a DMZ on the border and strictly enforce the law against hiring illegals. Deport the ones you catch after putting them at hard labor for 6 months. This would solve the problem.

[JimRed]

The 'wall' is the only way to enforce that.

Thank you. I've been saying that for at least 20 years. A 30-40 foot high double wall with an automatic kill zone between the walls. You want in, you apply at the gate. You get in (other than as a permanent resident), you wear a tracking device. If you try to remove it, it goes boom and removes YOU!

[boris]

"OK, you are in charge. Now go get 'em!"

Unfortunately nobody (except you) thinks I am 'in charge' and therefore my stringent and draconian plans will not be implimented.

--Boris

[Jack Armstrong]

I was born a California native.
I appologize for the heat in my comment, but ,
I can not see a laid back answer to the invasion.
The fact is for the past 30 years the schools as poor as they are in MEXICO have taught the Mexican children that the nasty USA stole Texas & California from "THEM". The fact is most Mexicans now believe it is their RIGHT to occupy this nation because they have been brainwashed to feel it is already their property!
They have no obligation to obey our laws because they are under the opinion it belongs to them!
The current President is blind to the invasion of Mexicans because all his friends in Texas need slave labor to produce their "capital-gains".
I know a strong ARMY along the southern border would deminish the invasion by almost 80% of what it is now.

[FITZ]

Seriously cutting back on all the many welfare programs --- denying handouts to non-citizens, and illegal parents who give birth for the purpose of collecting welfare --- PLUS cutting it back for citizens so they'll be willing to take the jobs that everyone seems to think only illegals can do. People forget that hispanic unemployment rate is quite above that of non-hispanic whites --- and partly because the anchor babies either can't or won't compete against the new illegals moving in.

[PRND21]

If China could build a Great Wall in the, I don't remember when, early somethings, with primitive technology and equipment ... why can't we?

Because we don't want to be like China. Or Germany, for that matter.

[Iberian]

Separate the freaking Islamics from the others. The Islamics are trying to kill us. The others want a life in our country.

Hey Mojo. Baseball started today. Its time for the american pastime here in town. I have season tickets for the pastime, God I love baseball.

Godspeed