As this is written, Newt Gingrich is catching a lot of flak because he is willing to allow some people in the US illegally to stay - provided that action is recommended by local citizen boards. Those who read this blog know that I am a conservative who leans towards the Tea Party. That being said, I have to agree with Newt. Here's why:
1) The first and foremost problem we must deal with is the total lack of security on the boarder. It does not good to send anyone "home" if they can simply come back in almost as soon as they get 'home". In addition, the risk of not knowing what or who get over our boarder makes securing it an absolute imperative.
2) We must also take responsibility for the mixed messages that have been sent for decades. By not securing our boarder and not enforcing our laws we have effectively said, "If you want to come to the US, it's OK - just realize you will have to be a second class person." This is wrong, and it has to end - but throwing everyone here illegally is the same as denying responsibility for past policies.
3) It is simply not practical to deport 10-15 million people. The cost would be astronomical and many industries would be very hard hit - even in this economy. The priority must be placed upon finding and deporting the undesirable elements - from criminals to terrorists. This can best be done by encouraging the more desirable elements to come forward and to inform on the less desirable ones.
4) Have any of those advocating for the deportation of all those here illegally given thought the effect upon Mexico? Money sent home is absolutely critical to the Mexican economy. The Mexican government is already on the ropes due to the cartels - sending "all of them home" and cutting off the flow of money is likely to result in its' fall. What would them happen? Marxist government
The choice is not between deportation for everyone and total amnesty. There is a better way.
A guest worker program could be set up for those already here. This program could allow those approved by citizen boards to stay as guest workers - not permanent residents, not as potential citizens. Here is one system that could work:
1) If they want to gain that status, they should be required to return home and apply - and by doing so, they should be excluded from the guest worker program. This would discourage most from even trying to become permanent residents.
2) These workers should be required to pay into the Social Security System at full rates and should have no rights to collect from the US system. They should have the right to collect from the Mexican system, at the expense of Mexico, in return for the right to send cash home. Mexico could finance this by taxing money imported into the country.
3) Guest workers would forfeit any right to remain in the US after they stop working - even if they have relatives in the country would could "sponsor" them. Under US law, their children would be US citizens - but if possible, they should also be prohibited from bringing in not only parents and grandparents, but siblings as well. This restriction may not be constitutional, but even if struck down, these children would have to be adults and earn enough income to sponsor their siblings or grandparents.
4) The commission of any crime greater than one traffic infraction per year would result in immediate removal from the program and deportation. Failure to maintain auto insurance and/or driving without a valid US license (after a short grace period to allow them to obtain one) would also result in termination from the program and deportation.
5) Any state or local jurisdiction not cooperating with the enforcement of immigration laws would immediately lose any and all Federal funding. Any and all elected officials attempting to implement such policies shall be deemed to have violated their oath of office and shall be subject to removal by the Federal government. If a local jurisdiction repeatedly adopts such policies, that government shall be subject to being dissolved and its' authority and function being handed over to the next highest level of government. No more sanctuary cities.
No system is perfect, but something like what is outlined above would be as fair and just as possible, while both avoiding amnesty and being workable in the real world. Both sides need to be open to such a plan.
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