Monday, April 10, 2006

Immigration Insanity

Hispanic leaders claim they are protesting for fair treatment of all immigrants. I say: Everyone wants that! Those of us who advocate enforcing American laws on immigration aren't anti-immigrant. We just believe that there is something wrong with breaking the law.

Hispanic leaders claim that illegal immigrants are coming over to America because they want to work and pursue the American dream. I say: Since when was the American dream based in illegality. I want people from all countries to come into America the legal way and provide for their families and pursue the American dream. I don't want people breaking the law and then claiming they just wanted "the dream."

Hispanic leaders call illegal immigrants "undocumented workers." I say: Yeah, they're undocumented alright, but let's not conveniently brush past the fact that they're illegal, and that's the problem.

Hispanic leaders claim the House immigration bill that criminalized illegal immigrants and prohibited charities--including churches--from helping illegals. I say: Yeah, I think the Republicans (once again) shot themselves in the foot with this one. Our problem isn't doing the human thing and helping those that are struggling. Our problem is enforcing border security and immigration laws. It's one thing to make illegal immigration a felonious offense. However, making humanitarian initiatives illegal is absurd and unnecessary. Much of the debate has centered around the charity aspect and not the underpinning problem--breaking border and immigration laws.

Hispanic leaders claim that illegal immigrants do work Americans won't do and so they should be allowed to stay. I say: While it may be true that illegals do some of the hard, dirty work, Americans would do that same work. It's just that Americans believe in being paid at least a minimum wage. Why would a corporation hire an American for $5.15 when they can hire an illegal for $5.00?

Some illegal immigrants say that everyone in North America is American and international borders ought not be enforced (yes, some actually said that in Washingotn DC today). I say: Being an American is a priviledge that should not be cheaply disposed of. There are rights and priviledges of being a citizen of any country. The nation-state is important to maintaining order and civility. America has an obligation to its citizens to maintain strong, healthy, secure borders.

In the end, it's important that America continues to have a diverse citizenry. We ought to continue welcoming immigrants from all across the world. Hispanics are a very important part of America. But, we as a nation founded on law and order cannot reward illegal behavior.















I say: Try becoming legal and getting vaild
Social Security numbers!




















I say: Why not wave the American
flag? After all, don't you love America?
Don't you want to puruse the American
dream?





















I say: Surely you protestors aren't
disrespecting the American flag and
in turn the United States of America?

2 comments:

Csai D. said...

My friend, what is more illegal than the war in Iraq?

Kevin said...

Surely you are not speaking of the American war that freed a people from a murderous, tyrannical dictator? You aren't speaking of the American war that has brought democracy, freedom, and liberty to an oppressed people?

Of course the war was and is messy. But early America--even middle America--was messy (today our country is very messy). Nothing good ever came easy. But the Iraqi people now have an opportunity to choose what kind of life they want to have.

Congress approved of the war in Iraq. There was nothing illegal about it. You may not agree with or support the war in Iraq, and that's fine. I respect that opinion. However, I don't respect the notion that the war was illegal. The facts do not support that.

However, the facts do support the notion that we have immigration laws and 12 million people have violated those laws.

Thanks for your comment! It's great to read differing opinions.