The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 2 of 11)

"Despite the extremism displayed by Tancredo, however, there are signs of hope."

p>Excuse me? "Extremism" because someone has the guts to stand up and state the truth? Every illegal in this country is violating federal law and should be treated as such. I for one prefer the House idea of making them all felons and handled accordingly. I understand the House has just caved on this idea and trashed it. I knew they would. "...signs of hope"? For whom? Those like Crocker that don't understand the concept of the word "illegal"? Today's Democrat Party has been taken over by the "Hate-America-First Left." It appears their ideology is creeping into conservative thought also. If his is a conservative viewpoint, God help us all! br> -- Karl Weber br> Hixson, Tennessee /p>

Let me simplify the entire immigration problem for all, including Mr. Crocker. The answer is simply enforcement of current laws regarding immigration in this country. After all, all of the brouhaha is over "illegal" immigration and immigrants. So, simply enforce the law.

Historically, every time this country has attempted to address the problem of illegal immigration, it has included some way for illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. to stay. In every case, the result has been increased illegal immigration. The same thing will happen this time if historical trends are followed. And let me point out one glaring fact concerning the present number of illegal aliens living in this country; the estimate is between 11 and 20 million, with 11-12 million being the lower end of the spectrum.

Immigration control must take three phases. First, increased enforcement concerning illegal border crossing. Second, increased interior enforcement of immigration laws primarily aimed at employers. Third, revamping and streamlining the issuance of visas, and other entry permits, and increasing the convenience for applicants for citizenship within the U.S.

Simple, isn't it? The other arguments in favor of a convoluted reform scheme are rather far fetched. First, 10 to 20 million unskilled workers are not going to disappear across the border overnight. They will leave over the space of several years as interior enforcement of current laws will proceed slowly. After all, there are only some 200 ICE agents currently assigned to interior enforcement. This will allow time for U.S. citizens and documented immigrants to fill the vacancies. Second, If there is a cabal of people who are hindering the enforcement of existing laws, then they are themselves, along with those enforcement agents being influenced to ignore violations of the law, in criminal violation of existing laws and should be charged.

p>For my part, I have absolutely no doubt that the Congress will do what it does so well, namely screw every thing up royally. There is nothing to be gained by radically changing existing immigration laws and policy and everything to lose. br> -- Michael Tobias br> Ft. Lauderdale, Florida /p>

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