Proof That in Immigration Enforcement More Isn't Necessarily Better
OK, so you want to bust illegal immigrants entering or residing in the U.S. We can talk about whether it's a good idea or a bad idea, but you can make a reasonable argument for it. But busting illegal immigrants who are on the way out to Mexico?
I mean, it's one thing if they're looking for someone who has broken the law here - and I mean a law other than entering and staying illegally since they are well on their way to cure that when they're arrested. Of course, there's always a "rationale" behind it:
Lets use some common sense on this one: these measures can have no other practical use beyond harassing illegal immigrants. If you are really concerned about illegal immigration, you dedicate a lane for these people so you can get them out of the U.S. quicker, not waste taxpayer dollars creating a record that won't help anyone with anything.
It turns out Forrest Gump was right: stupid is as stupid does.
SAN DIEGO -- U.S. border authorities no longer apprehend illegal immigrants only as they enter the country. Now they're catching them on the way out.That's messed up.
At random times near the Tijuana-San Diego border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have been setting up checkpoints, boarding buses destined for Mexico and pulling off people who don't have proper documentation.
Vincent Bond, an agency spokesman, said departing immigrants are fair targets.A record? They come to the U.S. and get fake IDs, fake SSNs, and fake documents. What kind of record do you expect to build based on that? "Yes, please line up mister . . . er . . . James McGinnis. Yeah. The one who's 5-feet and 4-inches, looks like Pancho Villa's slender brother and says no hablo inglés. We suspect he may not be who he claims to be"
"If our officers come upon people who are here illegally . . . regardless of whether they're leaving the country, we detain them, make a record of the fact they were here illegally and return them to Mexico," Bond said.
I mean, it's one thing if they're looking for someone who has broken the law here - and I mean a law other than entering and staying illegally since they are well on their way to cure that when they're arrested. Of course, there's always a "rationale" behind it:
Rick Oltman, spokesman for Californians for Population Stabilization, said he hoped that the crackdown on departing illegal immigrants would be expanded to other exit points across the country."Ambassadors of enforcement." What a crock. The only thing that's going to do is to have people get off the bus to Mexico and make a dash for it. Can you just picture the Border Patrol Agents running after illegal immigrants who want to leave the country?
He said apprehended immigrants who returned home to Mexico would become "ambassadors of enforcement" and might help deter illegal immigration.
"Each one of these people will then report increased enforcement to family and friends when they do get home, and that will give them second thoughts about sneaking back into the U.S.," he said.
Lets use some common sense on this one: these measures can have no other practical use beyond harassing illegal immigrants. If you are really concerned about illegal immigration, you dedicate a lane for these people so you can get them out of the U.S. quicker, not waste taxpayer dollars creating a record that won't help anyone with anything.
It turns out Forrest Gump was right: stupid is as stupid does.
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They should focus on creating "ambassadors of enforcement" by fining businesses who are hiring the undocumented, and putting some of the more blantant corporate violators in jail. Most businesses are risk averse and if they perceive a real risk of fines, losing licenses, etc. they will change their practices.
When illegal immigrants start telling their relatives back home "Don't come here, it's very difficult to get a job, now every employer wants to see your papers", this will at the very least stabilize the situation.
I thought it was interesting that the LA Times would quote Rick Oltman. He is one evil dude who no mainstream news source should quote.
He was (and may still be) a leading member of the Council of Conservative Citizens, a hate group which was formerly the White Citizens Council, created after Brown vs. Board of Education to ensure that desegregation did not occur in the South. He has long been an activist in racist hate group circles.
His presence on staff at the anti-immigrant FAIR (the Federation for American Immigration Reform) is one of the primary reasons that the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled FAIR a hate group. You can find out more here: http://www.splcenter.org/blog/index.php?s=oltman
Folks need to call out newspaper reporters when they allow bigots like Oltman to be quoted as experts on immigration. A simple google search would have made it clear that he does not like people of color, whenever they or their ancestors arrived in this country. Why such a person should be quoted in one of the US's largest newspapers is hard to fathom.
They should focus on creating "ambassadors of enforcement" by fining businesses who are hiring the undocumented, and putting some of the more blatant corporate violators in jail. Most businesses are risk averse and if they perceive a real risk of fines, losing licenses, etc. they will change their practices.
Nick, I agree with you, to a point. I agree that there needs to be stronger enforcement against business who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Otherwise, you're asking businesses to become de facto ICE officers by having to attest to the legitimacy of the documents they rely on to hire their employees. That's an added burden on businesses and that's not their job.
Here's a wrinkle: what if you promise a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants who already are established in the U.S., have a job, etc., if they turn in the people who gave them the fake documents? That would do more to identify illegal immigrants than arresting them before they leave the U.S.
Let's keep things in perspective. Supply and demand is the driving force of immigration, whether its legal or illegal. The USA needs workers at all levels of its force; people retire and you need someone to replace them.
Have you seen ANY picture or documentation of US citizens flocking to apply for farm work. NO!!! Why? Is it because of the pay? Maybe... Do you think that farm workers will soon have higher wages, 401k and health benefits. I highly doubt it. Have you been to the grocery store lately? Food prices are soaring! Who wants to make them higher? Raise your wallet.
High paying wages maybe a thing of the past. Just ask anyone who grew up in Michigan and depended on GM for their lively hood. They'll tell you the truth about the power and loyalty of corporations.
I grew up in Lansing and witnessed the changes that led Michigan to be one of the worst economically performing states in the country. I remember when foreign cars began to challenge GM and BUY AMERICAN was the patriotic war cry. Michigan supported the car industry. Yet, when GM realized they could profit more from workers OUTSIDE AMERICA, they walked. Talk about a recession, they've been living through it for years.
So will illegal immigration stop? NO, the demand is to high. It will slow down until the economy rebounds. Going after illegal immigrants is not the answer that the future needs. Corporations need to change...they are the ones who control labor. And laborers they need!!!