"This country has lost control of its borders..."
"A country that doesn't control its borders isn't a country anymore."
The 1986 Simpson/Mazzoli amnesty bill that Reagan unfortunately signed contained strong enforcement mechanisms such as employer sanctions against illegal immigration as well as the hiring of 5000 additional border patrol guards. The employer sanctions have yet to be taken seriously, which is the fault of subsequent administrations.
Reagan was clearly against illegal immigration, as we all should be, it's against the law and a crime.
You are, of course, correct. Reagan proclaimed his opposition to illegal immigration in the early 80s during the recession. I'd like to think Reagan's views evolved with time, and I think the words "the doors were open to anyone with the will and heart to get there" from 1989 are pretty clear. Much like the words "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed" are perfectly clear to everybody except the lawyers.
In difficult economic times racism raises it's ugly head higher and smart political leaders do what the people want even if it repulses them...witness Clinton signing welfare reform.
I have no way to prove that Reagan changed his mind about open borders after the recession was over except to say that little was done about solving the "problem" during his Presidency, and it is very important to note that Reagan wanted the 1986 amnesty.
If you go back and read what Reagan said his tone changed from "WE HAVE LOST CONTROL OF OUR BORDERS!!!" to a more compassionate tone after his re-election.
From an interview with Guillermo Descalzi of the Spanish International Network on September 13, 1985
The President. I have to say that, beginning back in 1981, I supported the principle of reform in our immigration laws because we, in a way, have lost control of our borders. Right now, I have to say with regard to the Simpson bill that -- and we've informed of this -- that we support generally his bill, but there are some amendments that we think are necessary. For one, we very much need in any immigration bill -- we need protection for people who are in this country and who have not become citizens, for example, that they are protected and legitimized and given permanent residency here. And we want to see some things of that kind added to the immigration bill.
Mr. Descalzi. Mr. President, this is my last question, really, and I want to ask you simply if you have any messages for the Hispanic community in America that's listening to you.
The President. Well, yes, I do. Our whole country is made up of people who came here from someplace else, either the individuals themselves or, like myself -- in my case it was grandparents, others it's their parents -- but we represent the cultures and the diversity of the whole world. And we've come together in what some people called a melting pot and created a whole new breed of human being called an American. And I have to say, I think America's great success in the world has been the result of this diversity and this understanding and coming together of such diverse peoples. And I just have to say that our Hispanic Americans -- their contribution to America is not surpassed by that of any other people. They have brought a great warmth, and they have brought great traditions of family. In our wars, they have brought great service and great heroism and loyalty to this country. And all I would like to say to them is, God bless them all, and vaya con Dios.
I'm not trying to misrepresent President Reagan. Ultimately I can't get inside his head and I can't prove what I believe to be true...which is that Reagan was not really concerned about our borders, but politics required he do something to keep it from becoming a political liability. To me that does not diminish his greatness as I believe all great leaders do what the people want.
You can find a lot of great speeches and interviews from President Reagan at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
I don't wish to be misunderstood either. I am not for illegal immigration. I am for changing the immigration laws because the law is wrong. I am for opening the borders wide enough that anyone who wishes to live in the USA is able to, and I do not consider people who pick themselves up to move away from tyranny to be criminals. I would call them Americans, just as history books called the unwanted people who moved away from tyranny 300 years ago Americans.
Thank you for your response.
You forgot, "Give us your tired...huddled...yearning..."
You have a link that shows "'shining city on the hill' was in reference to legal immigrants"?
Bet not.