This is a huge deal and, interestingly, ties in with Dubai Ports (commentary below) and other protectionist moves made lately. Protectionism just doesn't work, and the ideas, dreams, and work of immigrants is the strength of this country. They come here because of opportunity and freedom.
That said, the rule of law and respect for borders is essential. So what do we do? I haven't read the laws myself, but what we know is that things are coming to a head. The proposed legislation would not only criminalize illegal immigrants, but also those, like the clergy, who help them.
Rudy has some good commentary here:
What’s momentous is that this issue appears headed for a showdown. In a very big picture, broad-thinking view, that’s a good thing. Of course, lives are at stake, and people are deeply passionate.
Want a solution to illegal immigration? It’s already been in the laws, been there for years: Employer Sanctions. For whatever reason, our government refuses to crack down on employers and businesses for employing illegals. To many, the new legislation sounds like a double standard: leave the business owners alone while punishing the workers. Except these days no one is getting punished.
I haven’t read the legislation, btw. I’m going off of what I’ve heard about it. Maybe there are new features designed to enforce employer sanctions provisions.
It’s important for American laws to be upheld and borders to be respected. Period. And many people who come illegally come to work in jobs because there is hope on this side of the border. Period.
Seeing that many young people on the streets is moving. And here’s the nation’s chance to listen to immigrant communities and see if people indeed care about this country, want a better life, and are willing to do what it takes to strengthen the country while taking care of themselves. I believe that’s the case, by and large, especially among immigrant Mexicans. So let’s hear it. With dreams begin responsibilities.
There is a larger issue that I turn to the business students for. It’s a bit fuzzy in my head, so bear with me:
It was to do with why our government refuses to enforce employer sanctions.
Will the business downturn be that bad if we got rid of all undocumented workers? Would our country really lock up if it wasn’t for all the cheap labor? Do economists look 30 years down the road, see a lack of workers to sustain our economy, and so allow these measures, knowing they are dealing properly with the big picture while frustrating the general population? And why has the immigration flow from Mexico been so pronounced since the late 1990s? There has always been immigration from Mexico, but why has it exploded in very recent years?
I do not subscribe to Business Exploiting The People class warfare rhetoric, please (if you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know this). My guess is that economists and national planners can see that we need a regular flow of cheap labor to sustain NOT “An American Lifestyle” but rather to sustain legitimate business and economic interests. Politically, this does not play well, the idea of purposefully allowing border laws to be broken to meet our needs. So it appears that there’s been a lot of winking and nudging, and the result is a huge and growing illegal immigrant population.
That perspective gives a benefit of the doubt to “them,” economists and planners and whatnot. But maybe there is no “they” there. Maybe this issue has just slid along, under the radar, because no one could get the political will and/or strength to confront the matter.
It’s good to talk about Mexico when speaking about illegal immigration, but let me note that there are a lot of illegals in the U.S. who are from many nations in the world, including Canada and European countries.
Students: Waving the Mexican flag, however much you want to proclaim your pride in who you are, always hurts the cause. You are in America and arguing for your place in America. Folks in the 50 states have a hard time believing when you march with a Mexican flag shouting, “Viva Mexico!” Makes it seem like you really don’t care about the good of this country… (from urbanonramps)
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