H -°, L 7° | Tomorrow: 
H 17°, L 4°Politicians are lazy. When they are not trying to maintain the deficiencies of the status quo they are off uselessly decapitating the Lernaean Hydra of other problems. If they don’t cauterize the head stumps they are going to grow back, and very little will be accomplished.
It will take real work and inspiration to solve our country’s greatest problems, and Washington’s characteristic strategy of doing just enough to secure votes for the next election cycle has our country limping along on many fronts.
Our country’s antiquated immigration policy will likely, and certainly should, be at the top of the list of scaly, seemingly unassailable beasts for Congress and the Obama Administration to challenge this summer. My only hope is that the discourse is placed firmly in the realm of comprehensive legislation and not uninspired half measures that will guarantee the issue’s return a few years down the road. This means that the myopic xenophobia that informed decisions to build walls and crack down on immigrant workers and their families needs to be excised from the debate.
On the ground there has been a formidable groundswell of support for sweeping changes. Although the mainstream media did a fantastically terrible job covering it, the largest mass demonstration in recent years occurred just a few weeks ago. Nearly a quarter million immigrants and their allies marched on Washington last month demanding President Obama follow through with his promise to address immigration, and soon.
This came as quite a surprise to many people. Not only were the numbers unprecedented, but also the fact that unregistered immigrants were showing up in droves to demand rights after 2007’s reform meltdown and subsequent crack-down exhibited the movement’s laudable courage. The overwhelming youth of the mass demonstration — with many teens defiantly sporting UNDOCUMENTED AND UNAFRAID t-shirts — persuasively suggests the growing influence immigrants will have on our generation’s culture, economy and politics.
There is no way around that. It’s an accepted fact that white Europeans like me will be outnumbered in a few decades. Immigration will play a major role in this demographic sea change. Such a future might scare some stubborn, culturally isolated individuals. But incontrovertible as it is, there is no use fruitlessly combating the shift with draconian crackdown measures.
A better use of our time would be to accept immigrants while simultaneously addressing the root cause of the influx: Economic inequality.
Reform must include amnesty that extends to all undocumented immigrants in tandem with a safe, fair and high throughput program for those wishing to become citizens. Before the hysterical comments come marching in, let me explain why we need this.
From the democratic angle, around 10 million illegal immigrants live and work in this country — nearly 60 percent from Mexico — extending voting rights to around 3 percent of the population, most of which pays taxes, is a crucial step in making our government representative.
Morally, there is simply no way to justify placing 10 million people under constant siege by police, sheriff’s departments (i.e. Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney) or the Feds. The vast majority of these people have committed no crime other than working hard and at great personal risk to provide for their families. Their cultural and economic contribution to the nation cannot be overstated; they are exactly the kind of ambitious, dynamic people who have made this country great.
Finally, even from a dispassionate economic perspective, amnesty makes sense. Annually the government spends nearly $2 billion enforcing immigration laws, staging raids and detaining, without legal representation and sometimes erroneously, thousands of people at any given time. A report published this month by the Public Policy Institute of California concluded comprehensive immigration reform would have no negative impact on the economy. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office determined 2006’s failed immigration reform bill would have increased federal revenue by $12 billion through increased tax and Medicare payments.
Of course, merely doing justice by 10 million immigrants already in the country won’t deter many others from trying to enter in the coming years. To deal with this, the real core of the problem, policymakers will have to work outside their comfort zone and think big.
The lack of a robust economy in Mexico is the driving force for immigration into the U.S. A strong economy south of the border has long been the sought after panacea to our immigration dilemma. When NAFTA was passed in the early ’90s, its promise of developing Mexico led many to argue the invisible hand would stem the flow of labor into the U.S.
Obviously, that didn’t happen, in part because NAFTA restricted the free flow of labor across the border while devastating Mexico’s agricultural sector with cheap imports. NAFTA must be revised in such a way that Mexico might actually benefit.
Taking a page from the European Union, which successfully invested in new members with weak economies to deter major labor migration, the United States must couple immigration reform with smart and closely monitored investment in Mexico to make its job market more appealing. Such a comprehensive approach is the only way to conclusively address immigration in America.
The struggle to reform our nation’s oppressive immigration policy won’t be much easier than vanquishing a mythological water serpent, but with smarts and some passion: s�, se puede.
Sam Stevenson ([email protected]) is a graduate student in public health.
IP hash: 3551194d
Maybe Mexico could be annexed and split up into the extra 7 states that Barry HO was talking about?
Or were you thinking we should give California and the southwest back to Mexico? Might be the smart thing to do, especially since CA is bankrupt.
PS. One of the few things that the federal government was supposed to do was to secure our borders against foreign invaders. Since they do such a piss-poor job of that I don’t understand why anyone would want to put them in charge of health care.
IP hash: d9f71495
Sam, why don’t you take a trip out of Wisconsin and head to a border state, where the illegal alien problem is HORRIBLE. Look with your own eyes and see what it’s like to live in a state or city who has a real problem, not good ol’ Wisconsin. God, can you get any farther away from the border?
IP hash: 9490bec9
Europe recognised the positive economic contributions to the continent/ countries decades ago. I read an article in Reader’s Digest more than 10 years ago to this effect…..
This is just so NATURAL to immigrate, MOVE. We are not stationary plants. There is no excuse to do evil; there is every reason to emigrate to a better safer place however. Now down the generations and the races are blending and the sound of music is generating new notes with the blends. Why should we obstruct the future and forever want to regress? That’s not any creatures instinct (to regress). Please dear Republican and Democratic Senators and House Representatives, pass the immigration reform NOW, and recognise and legalise the millions of “undocumented” humans who by any force of Nature are now here. They have families…please do not allow the family unit to be forced broken….it will eventually affect everyone, especially future generations. Let us work selflessly for the good of ALL… Thank you humbly…
IP hash: 19ba285f
Yea because European countries serve as prime examples of great economies, moron.
IP hash: 8a50471a
Nice article, Sam. But don’t you think it’s a little strange that liberals would rather grant amnesty to illegals from Mexico than pressure the Mexican government to do more for its impoverished citizens so they won’t have to sneak into the US and steal American jobs? They could also advocate modifications in NAFTA to benefit Mexican farmers, among other things that are inherently wrong with NAFTA.
Eventually, liberals will have to come to the realization that they won’t always get what they want. Honestly, the last bright idea liberals had was that blue state secession back in 2004. But they wussed out. Maybe the red states will give it a try, in which case I’ll move to a red state and live happily every after.
IP hash: da585c38
I’m not sure how I feel about this…I just feel that illegal immigration is wrong. It’s called illegal immigration for a reason. I don’t think “doing justice by 10 million immigrants” is fair to the rest of us. Most (not all!) illegal immigrants are very poor due to their lack of education and knowledge of the English language, and therefore would be a giant burden to taxpayers. I’m not sure pumping money into Mexico is the solution, either. Immigration needs to be addressed, but the ideas put forth in this article are just not the way to do it.
IP hash: 6f6acbae
Kick out all illegals and then increase legal immigration. We need the labor and energy of new immigrants, but we shouldn’t reward illegals.
Whenever there is a rally for illegal immigrants, the Feds should come and start arresting lawbreakers. And there is no way that noncitizens should count in the Census.
Go back to MPOWER, Sam. Nobody voted for them, anyway.
IP hash: 654b74d4
You obviously don’t live in California.
IP hash: 658cdf75
NAFTA restricts free flow of labor across the border? Because Mexico is a different country, you moron. This is liberal B.S. Go get a degree in something that justifies your comments.
IP hash: c100a0b6
Sam,
Here is the only way to conclusively address illegal immigration in America, especially from the corrupt and imploding states of Mexico.
Secure the US Borders - Now.
Require Citizenship Status On Every Drivers License In Every State - Now.
Deport the Illegal Aliens - Now.
Support Legal Immigration - From this day forward.
Si Se Puede!!!
Doing so will cut federal, state and local expenses, reduce the cost of healthcare for American Citizens simultaneously, and restore immigration to the Rule Of Law rather than personal and political corruption.
Have a Rainbow Day!
IP hash: ff5db84f
You write: “The vast majority of these people have committed no crime other than working hard and at great personal risk to provide for their families.” I’m sorry but crossing an international border for the purposes of “immigration” without announcing yourself at a customs checkpoint is a crime. It is a crime everywhere in the world, not just in the United States. Imagine if people in the United States suddenly decided that we were “entitled” to emigrate to Germany, or Cuba, or Canada, or any other country. Officials in those countries would rightly prosecute those people for violating immigration laws. Please describe why the United States is required to offer the benefits of citizenship to anyone who can manage to cross our borders.
Finally, you can talk about amnesty if you want, but please stop calling them “undocumented immigrants.” They are illegal immigrants. Such talk encourages a game in which as long as illegal immigrants are successfully able to break our immigration laws and get into the country, we are supposed to fall all over ourselves bestowing them with the rights of full citizenship. That’s not the right message to send to the world, and it is why the country rightfully resists rewarding illegal immigrants for breaking our laws.
IP hash: d0ca982a
At least the Mexicans are Catholic and want to work for a living. Europe has a whole different problem with their illegal immigrants.
IP hash: 1261c8be
The real truth is that there are over 20 million plus illegal aliens in this nation. They have all spat on our sovereign laws, our flag, and our constitution to break into America. Then demonstrate in our streets, branding foreign flags and demand their Civil rights. The intention was there, no matter the cause to enter America without means of financial support. The cesspool of businesses that employed foreigners, rather than a US citizen-resident cannot be forgiven and there should be a composite of heavy fines, business asset confiscation and imprisonment? There should be no conciliation for gainfully profiting on the backs of their own people? An estimated eight million foreign nationals have jobs, while the number of Americans seeking work is over 15 million and still accelerating.
Another grand travesty is that the US State Department issues approximately 1.5 million work visas annually. I agree as the majority of Americans that we can always make room for highly intelligent, skilled workers that can be elusive commodity in our country. But what we—DON’T— need are mediocre immigrant job seekers from other lands that our own workforce must teach job skills, before those employees receive a pink slip. Immigration attorneys have been proven time and time again on fudging a person�s qualifications, to import into this country, large contingents of low skilled legal immigrants from countries with impoverished wages. The biggest issue here businesses cut jobs, and the low skilled are the first to go. That means the taxpayer becomes the payee of hundreds of thousands of people, who ultimately end up in the government entitlement programs.
The E-Verify program with successful modifications could be used to disclose illegal immigrants, defrauding the welfare benefits system. ICE should recycle audits and even make lightening raids on previously visited companies. E-Verify must be instigated permanently and not a voluntary illegal alien reducer in auto licenses, vehicle registration, health care and other pertinent identification processes. Whereas the highly, technically skilled soon find a new employer. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS, WE CAN DO WITHOUT THE LANDSCAPERS, JANITORS, AND CONSTRUCTION LABOR, AS WE HAVE MILLIONS OF US CITIZENS-RESIDENTS WHO CAN DO THESE MANUAL JOBS? The real $ cost of the illegal alien invasion has remained intentionally undisclosed by our Senators and Congressman. Few states admit the expenditures, especially California?
Arizona legislators have seen the financially errors caused by blanket immigration to that state. Finally it will be signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer, the most restrictive measures to give law enforcement the ability to question any individual they deem as suspicious of illegal entry. Condemnation is already appearing from the National media generated by the open border advocacy organizations.ONE THINGS FOR SURE, THAT IF THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA DIDN’T WANT THIS LAW PASSED? IT WOULD NEVER EVEN HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED? Illegal immigration has become a nationwide battleground and the economic aspect it, would pay for all our foreign wars? Arizona illegal immigrants who realize their time is up, will now flood California as there is no enforcement there. Everything goes? Including citizens-residents welfare befits for illegal aliens.That why the Sanctuary State has massive deficits? Years of complete and utter irrelevance has allowed this illegal occupation to happen.
To even consider another mass amnesty is beyond outrageous, beyond anything comprehensible. Our Lawmakers, who are subservient to the moneyed open border lobbyists or the radical ethnocentric organizations, WILL BE REMEMBERED IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS. Sen. Harry Reid, Pelosi, McCain, Schumer, Graham the Pro-Amnesty incumbent will be removed. Unless the high population of illegal aliens in Nevada vote for him? Yes! They will vote. A growing list of pro-amnesty, anti-sovereignty politicians is visible at NumbersUSA. TO RECAP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS ONLY SEEN TO WORK? IN FACT IT HAS NEVER BEEN ENFORCED. WE HAVE BEEN CHEATED FOR DECADES?
Can be distributed freely. Never any copyright.
IP hash: a8fcf48f
I’m from Texas (definitely a border state) and let me tell you- the immigration problem is not HORRIBLE, contrary to 10:20’s comment. The immigrants are not “stealing our jobs,” they are devoting themselves to what is often back-breaking work, at the hands of employers who exploit their illegal status through sexual harrassment and low pay. Many are just trying to feed their families back home, and though they are here illegally, it is out of desperation. Any one of us would do the same thing.
IP hash: 0071c99d
Estoy acuerdo de ti.
10 million “undocumented immigrants” are here. Their lives are here. These are people, let’s please at least, be noble enough to speak of them with respect. I admire you Sam, for sharing you opinion—We need more people like, you, who advocate for social change on all levels.
�S� se puede!
IP hash: c100a0b6
The Citizens of the United States are noble enough to speak the truth. There is no greater nobility! They are not “undocumented aliens”, anymore than the corner drug dealer is an “undocumented pharmacist”! They are illegal aliens whose 1st crime against the United States was illegally entering our Country. They illegally used the social security numbers of Citizens to illegally acquire employment and paychecks. Their multiple offenses allowed their progeny to become automatic Citizens. Their repeated illegal actions will not be condoned, accepted, or repealed by ignoble euphemisms or willful failure to enforce our Laws.
Speak The Truth - Si Se Puede!!!!!!!
IP hash: 09f1177a
Wait a minute…but without illegal mexican indians illegally “immigrating” to “tolerant,” “diverse” and “socially just” delusional coccoons like Madison, Ann Arbor, Iowa City and Hollywood, who will wash the dishes in our organic Thai restaurants? Who will scrub and detail our 100K Land Rovers? Who will wipe our Korean adoptees butts? Who will walk our retired Greyhounds around Orton Park? Who will empty the 5 litter boxes in our preciously restored 400K “cottage” on the East Side? Come on now…let’s not wake up from our “multi-cultural” lie. If that happens we just might have to live in the reality the REST of the country does.
IP hash: 4d06728f
Do you really think that in a few generations, the millions of amnesty seekers’ descendants will be our doctors, lawyers and scientists? More east Asian immigration, no amnesty.
IP hash: 19ba285f
OMG illegal immigrants are people who have their lives here and are just doing what we would want to do.
Illegal immigrants are people who have illegally built their lives here, have circumvented our nation’s laws, and merely don’t give two shits about America and what it stands for. If they really cared then they would have respected our laws and applied for immigration in a legal fashion.
Why do so many people seem to not give a shit that they are ILLEGAL.
IP hash: 19ba285f
Dear Sam, Every action has its consequences and you, much like every other liberal, tends to live in a fantasy world in which they think that they can help everyone and force everyone else to help other people.
IP hash: 5879167e
definitely a terrible way to live one’s life