A federal raid that gathered up 300 or more illegal aliens at a chicken processing plant has shocked and torn apart a Greenville, S.C., neighborhood. Many of the illegals had come to feel safe in their U.S. community -- and were shocked and hurt that immigration law was being enforced against them.
In one sense, we do feel sorry for them. They come here to work because the opportunities and pay are so much better than in their own country. Who can blame them for wanting a better life for themselves and their children?
Moreover, raids and roundups are the cruelest and least-effective means of combatting the illegal alien problem.
The best, most humane way to fight the problem is to dry up the source of jobs that lure them here. This would discourage more from coming and force many who are here unlawfully to go back home. Self-deportation is far preferable to forced deportation.
Removing the job magnet could be done if Congress simply required employers to verify the identification of their hires -- and come down hard on businesses that don't comply.
The Homeland Security Department already has a Web-based system that can accurately and swiftly verify the ID credentials offered by new hires. Some states, like South Carolina, are planning to use the system, but to be most effective it needs to be employed nationally. Congress' failure to act on this is shameful.
Another problem with illegals -- many of whom legally enter the U.S., then overstay their visas -- is that they come solely for the money, not to assimilate into our culture and become Americans. Their loyalties stay with the motherland.
Legal immigrants are very different, however. They should be welcomed on an as-need basis to fill jobs Americans can't or won't take -- though in light of recent economic turmoil there may not be many of those left.
Another plus for a well-run legal immigration policy is that many under that policy aren't just seeking better-paying jobs; they're also looking to become American citizens. These are the kind of people we want coming to our country -- persons who want to assimilate. The best Americans are often those who choose to be Americans.
Comments
Self deportation would be better than these round ups. Why don't we just run some commercials suggesting this. Perhaps we could redo those just say no to drugs ads as well.
It isn't like the "just say no" was a total failure, Putt. Since it was initiated by a Republican, none of the successes were ever mentioned in the press. Promoting the self deportation, in lieu of the consequences to both illegals and their employers, has a good chance of working better then the seldom used and seldom prosecuted raids.
Good morning Pat. Would it not be better to secure our borders, enforce our imigration laws, cut off all services to illegals and prosecute business owners who employed illegals first? That's kinda like telling your teenage daughter to just say no and not mentioning any of the consequences of unprotected sex. INHO. Let's use all the weapons in our arsenal.
When hard-headed people don't get the message, then enforcement must step in and straighten them out. Illegal aliens are NOT a protected group in this country. Illegal aliens are trespassers who steal jobs and IDs from Americans. They all need to get legal or get out. Raids and roundups seem to be the only thing that gets their attentention! "Moreover, raids and roundups are the cruelest and least-effective means of combatting the illegal alien problem."
That would certainly be the wise action to take Putt. What do you think the odds are that it will happen?
I agree AC. Sounds like you're coming to some sensical views rather than just spouting off hateful rhetoric.
Wouldn't it be easier to become a US citizen if the laws were made easier like it used to be. Right now I am sure many peoplewould take the jobs that these Mexicans do because of layoff etc. But when the economy gets better and business picks back up and jobs reopen they will leave and the employer will be back in the same position. No one to do the hard work that the Mexicans do. Just ask anyone in the construction or landscape business about their problem finding people who do not drink too much or use drugs or will not work over 5-6 hours a day who they would rather have. And do not say it is because of less money because that is not the case. It is because the MExicans go and get the job done without all those problems.
WE HAVE BEEN INVADED!!!
SOUTHWEST BORDER APPREHENSIONS (Source DHS/CBP)
1987--1,190,488------1995--1,394,554------2003----905,065
1988--1,008,145------1996--1,649,986------2004--1,139,282
1989----954,243------1997--1,412,953------2005--1,189,108
1990--1,169,939------1998--1,555,776------2006--1,071,972
1991--1,197,875------1999--1,537,000------2007----858,638
1992--1,258,482------2000--1,643,679------2008----660,288 (08/31)
1993--1,327,259------2001--1,235,718
1994--1,094,717------2002----929,809
FACT: In the last 22 years, over 26 million illegals, have been apprehended, crossing our Southwest Border.
THE PROBLEM IS: Less than 1, out of 4 illegals, were estimated to have been apprehended, while crossing the border, into our United States.
Mind boggling, isn't it.
According to the U.S. Immigration Service another 6 million illegals in this country are visa overstays. That is, they got a visa legally in their home country, they came here to visit and then they never left.
In the last 22 years, there have been another 4 million anchor babies born to illegals. Anchor babies are now being born at a rate of 350-400 thousand per year in our United States. All a
THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY!!!
OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM
#1. Secure Our Borders!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
#5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
......and make it retroactive!!!
#6. End Chain Migration!!!
#7. Make English our Official Language!!!
#8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!
NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!
This could upset the election -- Acorn probably has all these people registered to vote. (Just kidding)
Push for mandating E-Verify for all employers, for all employees, and for any benefit, and let's force ALL illegals to leave our country. Illegals are costing American taxpayers over 300 billion dollars each year. They need to go!!!
87,758 employers enrolled in e-Verify
6.5 million employees checked using e-Verify
Updated October 8, 2008
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm
I am waiting to see what happens to the company that employed all those illegals. don't hand me that crap that they didn't know. Stiff penalties on employers would go a long way in getting these illegals to self deport, as employers would be afraid to hire them were the penalties say $10K per illegal. May put some out of business but if out of business then surely no illegals employed.
BTurner, your joke hits very close to home. I wonder how many of the illegals tried to use their voter registration as proof of citizenship. You can bet the networks won't tell us. Only the evil FOX will inform us if it happened.
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