Illegal immigration is a political "hot potato" these days; an issue no politician seems to want to discuss. In fact, the term "illegal immigrant" is often ditched in favor of more "politically correct" terms like "undocumented immigrant" or "migrant worker." Despite public opposition, President Bush is pushing to grant "quasi-amnesty" to thousands of illegal aliens. Even more disturbing, Kansas colleges are giving the children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition benefits (an advantage not extended to the children of legal aliens). Here in Tennessee, illegal immigrants are allowed to obtain driver's licenses. Such acceptance is more than minor lawbreaking: it is dangerous.
How did we reach this point, where we reward people through amnesty, tuition breaks, and driver's licenses for breaking our laws? Through the agenda of "diversity" and "multiculturalism," combined with spineless politicians who put potential votes ahead of our national security.
Certainly, some people will argue that illegal immigrants are law-abiding citizens. Such Orwellian claims are best combated with the words of the late Congressman Sonny Bono (R-CA). When asked for his stance on illegal immigration, he simply replied "it's illegal."
Some argue that illegal immigrants are needed to perform jobs that Americans simply will not do. Unfortunately, this argument is more of a reason to downscale the welfare state than to liberalize immigration policy. Americans would do those jobs, if it were not more economically viable for them to collect government checks. There are 10 million illegals in the U.S. Remove them, and watch the job opportunities for Americans skyrocket.
The situation along our southern border is one of the greatest scandals in our country today. The U.S. Border Patrol is chronically understaffed and underfunded. Post-9/11, how can our government so blatantly refuse to protect us? Everyday, countless foreign nationals cross that border and enter America illegally. Most are probably otherwise decent people who are simply trying to provide for their families. But if they can get across, so can terrorists. Do you think it hasn't happened before?
Tucson NBC affiliate KVOA recently aired a disturbing report on terrorists crossing the Mexican border. A border patrol agent told a shocking story about an individual they captured attempting to enter the U.S.: "He was later determined to be from Pakistan. And he had affiliations with a terrorist group. It wasn't al-Qaida, but it was another terrorist group and this gentleman was wanted out of France for trafficking in heroin." The agent went on to tell of another incident: "We received intel that seven males of Middle-Eastern descent had entered the United States illegally, and they were here to carry out a terrorist attack on this country." Remember, these are only the incidents we are aware of. How many more have occurred that we have no clue about?
When will Washington take note of the problem? Probably not in the near future. President Bush and Congressional Republicans see the Hispanic vote as a potential Republican stronghold. They are right to welcome law abiding Hispanics into the party. But they are wrong to do so at the cost of national security. Democrats have a long history of being lax on immigration, and now that they see more and more Hispanics joining the Republicans, it is unlikely they will change this stance, less they speed up the process. George W. Bush and John Kerry disagreed on many things, but illegal immigration was one issue they appeared to be in lock step on.
What should be done? First of all, our President should explain to all legal immigrants that actions taken against illegals have nothing to do with them. In fact, it is all about fairness to them. They stood in line. They did the paperwork. They, of all people, should be angry that people who came here illegally are getting the same privileges as them.
Second of all, he should announce that everyone here illegally should either report immediately to the nearest immigration station or return to their countries. Anyone who has not done this within a month should be deported. Those who do report will be evaluated. If they are deemed to be an asset to this country, then perhaps they will be granted amnesty. If not, they should be deported.
Finally, the National Guard should be placed on the border to back up the border patrol. The purpose of the National Guard is to protect the homeland. I can think of no greater area in which the homeland needs protecting.
It is also time for us Americans to say "enough is enough," and force our political leaders to protect us from invaders.
John Brown (www.johnnorrisbrown.com) is a senior in political science and history at the University of Tennessee @ Knoxville. Contact him at johnnyb325@aol.com. This column originally appeared in the November 16, 2004 edition of The Daily Beacon entitled "Nation needs tougher border laws," available here.