The American Spectator : No Confidence

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No Confidence

By W. James Antle, III from the October 2010 issue

Unionized customs and border patrol agents rebel against the Obama immigration czars.

The Obama administration has finally met a labor union it doesn't like, and the feeling is mutual. In June, a union representing 7,600 employees in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) -- affiliated with both the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO -- issued a unanimous vote of "no confidence" against the political appointees the White House chose to oversee immigration law enforcement.

The National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council specifically named ICE director John Morton and assistant director Phyllis Coven, accusing them of having "abandoned the agency's core mission of enforcing United States Immigration Laws" and "campaigning for programs and policies related to amnesty." The union leaders further charged the Obama administration with the "creation of a special detention system for foreign nationals that exceeds the care and services provided to most United States citizens similarly incarcerated."

Organizations representing border patrol agents had already slammed their upper management at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. The AFL-CIO-affiliated National Border Patrol Council issued its no-confidence vote last year. The National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers (NAFBPO) concurred. "The U.S. has reached a critical crossroads in dealing with the illegal alien problem," NAFBPO founder Buck Brandemuehl said in a statement. "This problem must be addressed now, as it is strangling our democracy and threatening our national security."

At the same time the Obama administration was requesting funding for 1,000 additional border patrol agents, the National Border Patrol Council complained that it was clandestinely reducing the number of agents along the U.S.-Mexico border by cutting the overtime hours they can work. "By lowering the statutory overtime cap nearly 15 percent through the current administrative restrictions, top-level managers in the Border Patrol are depriving Americans of desperately needed coverage along the border at a time of national crisis," Council head T. J. Bonner told the Washington Times.

These border patrol and customs agents aren't just disgruntled employees. They are outraged by an administration that is suing to block Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law -- and bragging to the United Nations that this is a positive step for human rights -- and undercutting the removal of most illegal immigrants. The people who are paid to put their lives on the line for the country's border security are outraged that their political superiors seem to have other priorities.

Consider the firestorm set off by a leaked memo outlining ways the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) could effectively legalize at least tens of thousands of illegal immigrants even in the absence of "comprehensive immigration reform." The USCIS could grant "parole in place," which comes with a work permit and the right to apply for a green card. Or it could identify a subset of illegal aliens -- like potential beneficiaries of the DREAM Act, which Congress has pointedly failed to enact -- and give them "deferred action," delaying deportation indefinitely.

Then there was this brainstorm: DHS could stop issuing the "notice to appear" letters that begin the deportation process unless the alien in question has a "significant negative immigration or criminal history." That's like a landlord being barred from issuing pay or quit notices to tenants who refuse to pay rent. In essence, these were proposals to give amnesty by executive fiat, handing out green cards and refusing to enforce immigration laws.

USCIS bureaucrats quickly backtracked, issuing a statement saying "nobody should mistake deliberation and exchange of ideas for final decisions." The Obama immigration team even vowed, "DHS will not grant deferred action or humanitarian parole to the nation's entire illegal immigrant population." How reassuring!

THE RECESSION AND STEPPED-UP enforcement have reduced illegal immigration in recent years. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, the total illegal population dropped from a high of 12 million in 2007 to about 11.1 million in March 2009. Only 300,000 illegal immigrants have come in the past two years, a two-thirds drop from the inflows experienced earlier in the decade. Some observers believe this means conditions are ripe for further attrition through enforcement -- while the Obama administration touts these numbers to show that despite the amnesty advocacy, it is tough on border security.

Mainstream media outlets have been reporting that deportations are up, based on ICE projections of 400,000 deportations this fiscal year (it remains to be seen whether the actual numbers support these claims). But many of the removals have occurred under the Secure Communities program. That's an ongoing effort, begun when the Bush administration decided increased enforcement would aid its amnesty campaign, to identify illegal aliens incarcerated in state and local facilities.

Secure Communities does help relieve the burden on state and local governments. It also is a good way to remove from the country illegal immigrants who are guilty of other serious crimes. The program represents the kind of state-federal cooperation in immigration enforcement envisioned by the Arizona state legislature. But what it does not do is treat illegal immigration as a problem by itself or address any of the incentives to enter the U.S. illegally.

The Obama administration has virtually stopped worksite raids. "I think there have been very few operations that have generated arrests of undocumented workers," David Venturella, the acting director in charge of such operations, said at an Urban Institute event. According to one report, through May administrative arrests were down 81 percent from 2008, criminal arrests down 67 percent, indictments down 73 percent, and convictions down 75 percent.

In fact, that's what differentiates the Arizona law from Secure Communities -- Arizona focuses on illegal status itself as a problem and reason for referral to the federal government. The Obama administration only wants to go after illegals nailed for other crimes. In its lawsuit against Arizona, the Justice Department emphasized that its enforcement priorities were different from Arizona's.

Unfortunately, the Obama administration's enforcement priorities also differ from those of the professionals charged with enforcing the country's immigration laws. The National Border Patrol Council has even taken issue with its parent organization, the AFL-CIO, for joining in the liberal crusade against Arizona. The border patrol union called one of the AFL-CIO's statements on SB 1070 "irresponsible and lacking any factual basis."

Their words for the people President Obama has placed in charge of them are even stronger. But the customs and border patrol agents are about to find out that in this rare instance, the White House is willing to turn a deaf ear to union labor.

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (53) | Leave a comment

Ret. Marine| 10.19.10 @ 7:18AM

Anyone following this issue going back to the time of our dearly departed devil, kennedy knows this is an issue in which the fed's in general, and many preceding presidents of our past 35 years have all but disregarded their duties of securing the borders and protecting the legal citizens of all of our United States. That goes without saying. Another thing, this issue about the 11 or 12 million illegals in the system has been going on for some 15 years, and the number is still the same, are these idiots that stupid that they must release the same numbers for that many years and expect no one to notice, well yes, they are that stupid.
I'm not buying the whole argument at all regarding the issue of illegals, they are here because the National Security people appointed to these positions are being lead by the direction of the presidents at the time, who should be held in contempt by all of us for not doing the job they swore to do under Oath.
Hussein is just another example of this type of dereliction of duties we have seen for far too many years, this has got to stop, We must demand they be held responsible for the nature of destruction this country has experienced for the past forty years. Also, I'm not buying this crap regarding the unions, I as well as most of the readers of A/S know why this pretender-n-thief, commonly known as hussein the muslim needs these people, illegal or not, for future voting numbers. So as the saying goes if you want to know what is really going on, just follow the money and you will then know the who, what and whys of this ongoing problem.
It high time we start putting in Patriots in these positions who know why this is going on and not afraid to call out these demonrat party members for their responsibility for the mess they have created. If I had my way, I think a good ol'e group photo opportunity would be in order, but instead of lining them up for the shot, I'd have a few ( Proud MEN) ready for the shoot, but that's just me. TRAITORS one and all.

Maddox| 10.19.10 @ 7:46AM

Yes, and anyone, regardless of party, who sits in a position of power and does nothing to expose and prosecute these jackals is guilty of aiding and abetting the crime.
If we do not stop the corruption, citizens will have no confidence in our government and no will to obey laws.

Vickie| 10.19.10 @ 9:16AM

I have no confidence in an Administration that has singled out Hispanics for education reform. What a jerk and a tragic joke we have for a president.

Ned| 10.19.10 @ 11:55AM

I have no confidence in government, period. Exactly the opposite, in fact. Barry Bullsh*t has just made the lack of credibility of government glaringly obvious to everyone, not just we few.

Gran Torino| 10.19.10 @ 8:05PM

I was more than depressed when I saw that B. Hussein Obama had won the presidency. Shortly thereafter, I was talking with another conservative who brought up the interesting point that even though the Republican party had had control of the White House for 8 years (Pres. George W. Bush), abortion was still legal and our southern border had not been sealed. So, even if the Republicans win back the White House 2 years from now, it will be no guarantee that these things will be fixed. We need a conservative in the White House. Check out these videos:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhHeeJa-pBw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

lisa| 10.21.10 @ 12:34PM

SO we don't forget :Bush in the White House, yea.. but Dem/liberals controling everything else for SEVEN of those eight Years !

Marc Jeric| 10.20.10 @ 12:50AM

Yes, Sir - you are right. Abu Hussein al-Mombassa is communizing America, and the his coming executive order amnestying 15+ million illegals will give him a permanent majority. After his second term comes to completion the economic situation will be so dire that he will proclaim himself dictator for life - similar to the cases of Castro and Chavez.

quindan| 10.23.10 @ 2:12AM

I agree they have been using the same number for years the sad news is there are more than 40 Million Illegals Living in the US. JUST LOOK AROUND!

Cancel Reply| 10.19.10 @ 10:19AM

Lousy Lighting Mfr: Lead ceiling light, lead strete light and led spot liiggght.

Louis Jenkins| 10.19.10 @ 8:08AM

Obamanator has turned ICE and the Border Patrol into a circus. The troops have stated that they are unwilling to follow the leader. ICE and the Border Patrol are rudderless, and therefore useless. As Maddox has said, we, and they, have no confidence in our government.

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 9:06AM

I call BS on the numbers, Mr. Antle, though I know they're not your numbers. Why do you believe, and/or pass along, the "Pew Hispanic" numbers, down to the precision of 100,000? The count is nowhere near that precise and, more importantly, not accurate. Many estimate there are 20-25 million illegal aliens in our country.

Are these people going to tell me that they have a count good to +- 50,000? If not, they should not give a number like "11.1 million" Who's doing the counting and how? Is this Pew Hispanic Center an unbiased source in this matter? I dunno.

If you want to get a better grasp on immigration problems, you should go to numbersusa website or VDare.com.

The gist of your article does indeed shows how our current federal government goes hard against the will of the people. Even people who work for the government (in this rare case, in jobs that are worth supporting), people want to feel like their work is making a difference. It's true (well, OK, not at the highway department!) Since the Border Patrol and ICE have an obvious mission, I can see why they'd be angry about the high-level socialists turning their work into nothing.

George True| 10.19.10 @ 11:01AM

You are correct to point out that the estimate of 11.1 illegals left in the country is complete BS. At the height of the boom times from 2002-2008, most official estimates were 12-20 million already in-country, with another 10,000 coming across the border every single night. I always felt that the real number was probably upwards of 20 million. Since that time, a significant percentage of those illegals have had children, so the real number could now be 25-30 million.

While the recession may have reduced the number of illegals who continue to pour in over our wide open border, I would bet it has not been reduced by much. Based on the record number of illegals who died in the Arizona desert this year, they are obviously still coming in great numbers.

When SB 1070 passed earlier this year, a significant percentage of illegals removed themselves from Arizona. But most of them did not go back to Mexico. They merely went to other states whee they knew enforcement would be pretty much non-existent.

Our own government has arrayed itself against us.

Ned| 10.19.10 @ 12:15PM

Ask yourself - if you had fled Mexico, or Guatemala, or where-ever, to come here illegally, to work cheaply and under the radar of immigration (non)enforcement, because wages and welfare are a 100 times better here for doing "work Americans won't do" - would a recession here cause you to go back to someplace where you already know you have nothing? Not likely.

BTW - I agree with you, George and others, an integral part of the non-enforcement deception is lying about the numbers... 25-30 million certainly sounds more probable than 10-12 million after all this time.

Tell me again, what were the percentage figures of hispanics in California and Arizona? And how much has that increased in the past 30 years?

W. James Antle III| 10.19.10 @ 12:40PM

I don't know of anybody, including Numbers USA and VDARE, who doesn't acknowledge there has been at least some drop in the number of illegal immigrants here due to modest improvements in enforcement (at the state level and the end of the Bush administration) and the recession. Some people think the Pew Hispanic numbers are low, but the largest reliable estimate I've seen for the illegal population was 20 million by Bear Stearn. But that was in about 2006, before the bottom came out of the economy, while amnesty looked like it might pass, and when there was little enforcement going on. I doubt the population is over 20 million now, though it is definitely too high.

Old Arizonan| 10.19.10 @ 2:20PM

Back in about '06 the Mexican Counsel here in Phoenix used the number of 20 Million himself. The argument then was over the status of those in the country. At that time, and more so since, the issue of potential terrorists learning Spanish and passing into the country in that guise arose. It is a significant concern here in Arizona. Does it not seem that the proper analogy is to the actions of Pancho Villa and the Pershing led "Punative Expedition"? Should not our response be the same?

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:15PM

Mr. Antle 3,

Firstly, thanks for the reply. It's good that we readers can educate the writers some times.

Secondly, I agree with you that in these times, there may be a small net outflow of illegal aliens out of the very large (maybe 10 % counting the kids) of our country that the comprise.

But, I'm really beginning to see that even conservative writers have no numeracy most of the time.

Look, you just got done saying that there was a reliable estimate of 20 million. So, why mention the Pew (obviously wrong) 12 million number. You've got two reliable estimates - one of them must be wrong. (just channeling Mark Knoffler for a sec.: "Two men say they're Jesus, one of 'em must be wrong ..." * Where was I?

Oh yeah, so my point is you can't be serious if you put a number out there like 11.1 million. The .1 implies that you have a precision of 100,000, which you can't have if you don't know whether the number is closer to 20 million or 12 million. As for the amount of people leaving, that is also a really imprecise number, with maybe a +100%, - 50 % tolerance.

How 'bout let's all stick with 18 to 25 million, mmkay, as that is about the truth of it?

* "Industrial Disease" off of "Love of Gold" by Dire Staits

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:39PM

oops.

should be:

"I agree with you that in these times, there may be a small net outflow of illegal aliens out of the very large (maybe 10 %, counting the kids) percentage of our country that they comprise."

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:42PM

dang! The album is "Love over Gold"
I need an editor. Andrew Cline is not doing much beside spouting off left wing crap. Can he read? Get back to me, Andrew, via Twitter, Facebook, or your mama's blackberry, which she left under my pillow.

Chemman| 10.19.10 @ 7:51PM

Maybe so, maybe not. My daughter works for border patrol (network administrator) along the southern border. Her sector, one of the busiest in the nation, has not seen a decrease in illegal crossings as a result of the economic upheaval in the U.S.

Petronius| 10.19.10 @ 10:13AM

Our poor border patrol agents are being kept in the dark as to what this administration wants their actual function to be: targets for the drug cartels who supply their Hollywood fan clubs and dependent street urchins.

tomb| 10.19.10 @ 10:36AM

Oh, sweet ICE tea party anyone??

Redstateboy| 10.19.10 @ 10:40AM

and you watch television and there's that pathetic excuse for a Community Organizer but what gets be are all those cheering morons standing behind him.. are all those fawning, stupid syncophants totally brain dead? what are they cheering for or about? Stories like this? our debt? our unemployment? Iran getting closer to a Nuke? What??!! What are they cheering about?? Hope and Change??

hunter| 10.19.10 @ 11:01AM

Thank God for this union. They have a huge task holding off a deluge of illegals, for the jobs Americans won't do?? What a sham, How many unemployed Americans would sneak into Canada that paid eight times (or more) the wages here? Would they help harvest crops for eight times the minimun wage here? I belive they would. $64.00 per hour. Hell yes, I'd pick tomatoes or strawberries or cotton for that! Damm straight. The old high paying companies now have a two tiered wage system in place. One for the seniored workers that have been with the company for years, and another for new hires. This system should be implemented with illegals. Our founding fathers didn't die setting this great country up to benfit foreigners, but Americans.

Great Country| 10.19.10 @ 11:33AM

I have visited your Great Country many times. I must say there are many ignorant and rude TSA employees the same does not apply to the Border Agents.

We walked across the border to Mexico at many of your border crossings and on the return trip to the USA the Border were very detailed and deep, but extremely polite. Many of their name tags had Spanish names, but they exhibited a great pride to be Americans. If only the TSA were so professional. Their professionalism is a repudiation of American politeness. Not all of them of course, but enough to convey the idea that Americans are arrogant and ignorant, which is not true, but what a first impression to convey.

Wouln't it be wonderful if the TSA had the professionism of the Border Patrol? God Bless them all. Real Americans .

Oldefarte| 10.19.10 @ 11:51AM

The lack of immigration enforcement problem as highlighted by W. James is bad enough, but what is even more frightening/alarming is the fact that Muslim terrorists are blending in with Mexican illegals, crossing our southern border, and disappearing into the interior of our country. The very same thing was reported recently as occurring in Nigeria/Africa, where Muslim terrorists are training in those countries and then migrating/immigrating to Europeon countries such as Germany, England, France etc. The recent terrorist alerts via the media concerning France's Iffel Tower and possibly the USA was related to this Nigeria/African terrorist problem. As usual, the MSM [along with our governmental administrators] are effectively not reporting on same and purposely covering up this threat. American taxpayer-voters need to be fully aware of this potential threat concerning immigration when they head to the polls in November!!!!!

Al Adab| 10.19.10 @ 12:14PM

Good insight. It was several years ago that those on the border noticed an influx of Spanish speaking non-latins. Specificly border agents intercepted a Spanish speaking Iraqi and since have stopped many, many more. In fact 20% of those stopped from entering are classified as other than Mexican.

There are training camps in South America where those from Libya, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Mozambique and other places learn the language then attempt to enter the U. S. We may seriously doubt that they are coming to pick fruit or do landscaping. That those charged with defending the border no longer see their government as "on their side" should be a significant warning to us all.

Nunya| 10.19.10 @ 12:58PM

Obozo isn't the only one that's been guilty of not protecting our borders, W did the same thing, as did Clinton, GW before him, and don't forget that Reagan gave amnesty to ~20 million illegals in the 80's. This has been a problem for a long time, that nobody seems to want to fix. Personally, I could fix it overnight--put the National Guard on the border and announce anyone caught crossing the border is subject to being shot. I'm guessing the siege would end in short order.

As to all of the BS about "work that Americans won't do", it is just that--BS. However, I have no problem with people who want to better themselves or their families. What we need is an immigration program that makes sense. Frankly, we should have a program that allows people to come here legally--make our immigration process simple enough so that it doesn't make sense to cross the border and risk getting shot. Create a worker program or something of the sort, and allow people to come here. It shouldn't include free health care, free housing, or anything of the sort, but should allow people who are looking for work to come.

That would solve a number of problems, including OTM's (other-than-Mexicans) trying to cross the border who mean us harm.

Oldefarte| 10.19.10 @ 3:37PM

Most of your points are true, but the essential difference was that Bush's/Reagan's less than adequate enforcement was NOT due solely to partisan political purposes [of obtaining their legal relatives who are citizens/voters to pull the Democrat lever at the polls], like Barry's/Democrats' current intentions are. I think most of us would agree to a governmental managed immigration system [maybe including a ID card that would facilitate tracking purposes etc], but only IF AND AFTER A SECURE BORDER BARRIER SYSTEM ADEQUATELY PREVENTS THE CURRENT ILLEGAL ENTRY FROM OCCURRING!!!!!!!!

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:47PM

Yes. Both comment are very true. However, I say that no matter whether the intentions are kind (Reagan), cowardly (Bush, Bush), or just plain nefarious (Obama), thing have got to be changed. If you can't control the borders, just don't call yourself a country, cause you're not.

wolflen| 10.19.10 @ 1:19PM

the disparity with the number of illegals is interesting to watch...perhaps the logic works like this...to push/grant/pass "immigration reform" it might be easier if the number is low-11 million..as opposed to an actual number like 18-25 million.and growing..its very much like how the govt plays with unemployment numbers to make it look better than it really is...while they admit 10%+ the actual number is 16-18%...and sadly...its growing..

cr| 10.19.10 @ 3:03PM

let's just stop it is very simple
build a fence, most of us would pay for it and take it from there

Ruthie Epstein| 10.19.10 @ 3:36PM

The Obama administration has deported more immigrants in the past year than ever in the history of ICE – a record 392,000. http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1010/.....ondc2.htm. The administration says it’s prioritizing the removal of “criminal aliens” (a controversial label), even though 50% of its deportations in the past year were non-criminals. Deporting 12 million-plus undocumented immigrants would be financially impossible – not to mention the fact that it would destroy hundreds of thousands of families, separating young children from their parents, and would tear apart stable communities across the United States.

Rather than terrorizing workers who came to this country out of desperation to support their families, the Obama administration says that it’s targeting the employers who hire them and pay them below minimum wage. ICE’s planned detention reforms should – we hope – simply bring immigration detention facilities up to basic standards of decency, following years of deaths and mistreatment of detained immigrants, numbering up to 400,000 each year. Given the facts, it’s simply untruthful to claim that the Obama administration is being soft on immigration.

Ruthie Epstein
Refugee Protection Program
Human Rights First
New York, NY

Dagny Taggert| 10.19.10 @ 4:20PM

Ruthie, with all due respect, you're full of $h*t.
Let's examine, yet another liberal canard that you all get to spout--like it's some sort of given when actually easily debatable--as though it is truth:

"Deporting 12 million-plus undocumented immigrants would be financially impossible –"

Bull Bleep. What you absolutely fail to grasp is the total cost over time IF WE DON'T DEPORT THEM!!! Try to open your mind a bit to the incredible aggregate cost of keeping an illegal here in the States until they die. I'll tell you what Ruthie--you put a $1,000 bounty for any citizen to turn in an illegal, and it'll solve two problems--unemployment and illegal immigration. Additionally, (if the number's 12mm) you wouldn't have to budget $12bn. Half of them would scram immediately. So it would only likely cost $6bn. There's probably that left in unspent stimulus money.

Then, if we act globally (i.e. close and monitor our borders like every other frikin country on Earth), we can control immigration, and if wages start to heat up, we can increase the number of immigrants in a given year.

You got it 100% wrong honey. Deporting them isn't financially impossible--allowing them to stay in the country is financially impossible. "Soft on immigration?' Hell yes he is. And soft on common sense as well.

Al Adab| 10.19.10 @ 4:47PM

Dagny, (love the moniker BTW)
Ask Ruthie how much in grants her organization gets. Do we really wonder why they are out there? The Left lives off OPM while the Right uses it's own. Leaves Conservatives at a disadvantage don't you think?

Dagny Taggert| 10.19.10 @ 4:25PM

In fact, if we abolished illegal immigration here in the U.S., there would be more resources available to your program for granting asylum to deserving refugees.

Pat| 10.19.10 @ 5:44PM

Dagny, when the infected ones claim: “Deporting 12 million illegals would be financially impossible” – do you ever get the sudden urge to ask them: “Why?”. Would it be as “financially impossible” say as scanning each and every 70 year old grandmother passing through any American airport every hour of the day, each day, year after year for the indefinite future?

And all that money spent just on the off chance she might be a terrorist – we Americans spared no expense to avoid that considerable risk. And if the scanner beeps because the old gal has a hip replacement, we hire other people to wand her again within an inch of her life. And not only going out too, we do it all over again when she returns home, maybe she had a bomb implanted right next to the old artificial hip. And we insist she put her hemorrhoid cream in a small clear tube for another guard to inspect – and how much does that cost?

And if she gets rambunctious, we hired extra airport guards to pounce on her before she can unleash her Uzi. We even made real Americans work security in our airports replacing all those foreign nationals who used to do that same job in places like San Jose International Airport. We spared no expense. We scan all luggage too, just in case, sure it costs us extra but cost is no object. And in places like Oakland International Airport we now have those newfangled body scanners so our protectors can see us naked – they weren’t cheap either, but when someone might attempt to break our laws, we believe the cost is fully justified – at least when it comes to airport security that is.

Would deportation cost more than bailing out GM so the UAW folks could keep their pensions? Or cost even more than bailing out Wall St. and Democratic Party campaign donors for about $1 trillion and some loose change? Yeah, it probably is “financially impossible” to deport those illegals - or maybe that just isn’t what Democrats want to do with them.

Pamela| 10.19.10 @ 11:59PM

Had to laugh at your description of granny being scanned. I can't tell you how long it took to get me through Gatwick (London) cos of my hip replacement. On the other hand here I am in Delhi and been scanned about 8 times and not once set off the alarm - ho hum given the choice I'll opt for the over cautious.

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:26PM

" ... years of deaths and mistreatment of detained immigrants..." I assume you are talking about Mexico here, right? That's where the immigrants get detained for a coupla years, money stolen, and raped by the authorities just for entering Mexico. Someone should do something about it. Oh, I know, maybe Human Rights First should do something about it! Yeah, that's the ticket. Just bring some bribe money for the Federales when you head down there, and don't expect to come back with your (I mean your doner's) vehicle intact.

".... separating young children from their parents, and would tear apart stable communities across the United States

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 4:34PM

Dang! I got cut off 1/2 way.
(oh, I know why - software thought I put an HTML tag in).

2nd part:

... "separating young children from their parents, and would tear apart stable communities across the United States (sic of Mexico end-sic) right? You are talking about the United States of Mexico, right Ruth? Estados Unido de Mexico. I think it is pretty bad too, that these children get separated from their dad when he moves illegally up to del Norte.

What the fuck, Ruth? You can't be this stupid. No one person can. Only a committee can be this stupid, and I think that's what wrote the screed you pasted in above.

The idea is not to deport all 18 to 25 million people at one time. You first start sending the drunk drivers, beheaders, drug dealers and other felons home after their jail time. Then, it's anyone who is arrested in the US and is not a citizen nor on a valid visa. Many of these guys go back and forth across the border, so what you've just got to do is make it extremely hard to cross in from the south.

Why am I writing this? It's not to Ruth, as I don't think she is a sentinent (sp?) human being, more like a left-wing-programmed version of a Windows core dump. I just figure others may see the truth.

Negro X| 10.19.10 @ 6:30PM

Ruthie you stupid slut, it doesn't matter why they came, they came illegally. Your numbers are also flawed you useful idiot.

Ruthie Epstein| 10.21.10 @ 2:34PM

I'm another Soros plant to make you think you're crazy. My communist party card number is available on request.

Ruthie Epstein
Refugee Protection Program
Human Rights First
New York, NY

Oldefarte| 10.19.10 @ 3:50PM

It is 'untruthful' because this administration is using immigration as a partisan political tool, and that is extremely radical. To turn a blind eye towards illegal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the citizens of this country is treasonous. Terrorism is potential being facilitated by such actions, since it operatives are blending into ordinary immigrant movements and are entering/disappearing into this country's interior [and thereafter becoming sleeper cells]. Immigration has to be governmentally monitored/supervised/controlled, and the current system of allowing immigrant entry contrary to same is ludicrous and insane. An adequate border barrier system needs to be in place in order to initially accompolish same!!!!!!!!

Bob Miller| 10.19.10 @ 3:59PM

We should build a new big wall to keep the commissars away from the border police.

Pat| 10.19.10 @ 4:37PM

Does multiculturalism really work – is it really and truly good for us “native born” Americans - or is it just good for public relations and getting folks in other countries to see us as cool guys and gals with a keen fashion sense? And, do other countries also have a problem getting the hang of this multicultural stuff?

“Multiculturalism isn’t good for Germany” – according to the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, in a recent speech. And, remember, the Germans have been on a 60 year heavy guilt trip. Under Hitler they killed everyone they didn’t like, Jews, Ukrainians, Russians, Poles, Gypsies, Catholic priests, homosexuals, the mentally ill and anyone who thought Hitler had a sissy mustache. They’ve been apologizing for their grandfathers’ crimes against humanity ever since and with good reason. So, if a people who are even more heavily laden with guilt than us Americans don’t like multiculturalism, what changed their minds? Are Mexicans now sneaking across the border into Bavaria or Saxony and doing work the native born Germans won’t do?

Nope, not the Mexicans, it’s the Turks if you can believe that? And it isn’t because of Turkish burrito stands and Kamal’s rusty pick-up truck either, the immigrant Turks just aren’t fitting in, they’re refusing to adopt the values of German society or even bothering to learn the German language. And, let’s be honest here, why should they – under multiculturalism they have a perfect right to say “up yours” – and say it solely in their own language as well should they feel like it.

However, they did quickly learn to complete all those tedious welfare forms so they can receive monthly payments from the state and they enjoy spending time in prison for one crime or another, at least more so than the native born Germans do. Merkel quickly realized however she was getting awfully close to coming off “politically incorrect” and didn’t hesitate to assure anyone listening that native born Germans just love those cute little immigrants to pieces, if only they would act more like Germans – so, apparently the Germans haven’t shed all their former guilt.

Still and all, many Germans today aren’t so sure making the immigrant Turks into legal German citizens was the smart thing to do – having second thoughts now, Wolfgang? And isn’t it just precious we Americans don’t have the very same problem – at least not yet.

George True| 10.19.10 @ 8:07PM

Mel and Dagny, you guys are on a roll today. Like you, if there is anything that gets me steamed, it is people claiming that it would be "impractical" or "impossible" to round up and deport millions of illegals. The nation that crushed two evil empires on opposite sides of the world at the same time in WWII, the nation that set a goal of putting a man on the moon within a decade and then did it, that same nation somehow can't manage to round up and deport a few million illegals in its own back yard if it really wanted to??? The nation that in 1991 put an invasion force of 500,000 troops and tens of thousands of tanks, trucks, humvees, and other war materials in Saudia Arabia within just a few months after Iraq invaded Kuwait - somehow that same nation cannot manage to build 1,800 miles of actual triple layer fence on its own Southern border? This is sheer nonsense.

Operation Wetback in the early 1950's succeeded in removing over a million illegal Mexicans in a span of less than two years, using just 750 INS agents conducting successive sweeps through Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is estimated that another 1.2 million illegal Mexicans repatriated themselves back to Mexico as a result of the sweeps.

If it could be done then, it could certainly be done now. A modern day operation such as this, properly staffed and carried out, should be able to net at least 500,000 to 1,000,000 illegals a year. Maybe a million a year is not that much of a dent in a population of 20+ million, but it would be a huge step in the right direction, it would have a cumulative effect over time, and it would send a very clear message that we will no longer tolerate the "business as usual" status quo concerning illegal immigration. Combined with building a REAL triple-layer fence along our entire Southern border, such an effort would begin to get the problem under control within just a few years.

Because of our open border and lax immigration enforcement, we have been Mexico's safety valve for decades. As a result, we have enabled Mexico to continue in its unhealthy co-dependent ways of foisting their excess unemployed onto us, instead of fixing their own economy and their own problems. Yes, I understand the daunting task they face. Their entire government in riddled with corruption and drug cartel spies from top to bottom. Good judges, mayors, and cops who stand up for what is right are likely to end up dead. Even so, Mexico, MUST solve its problems, no matter what it takes. And we must stand ready to assist them in doing so in any way that we can. But allowing our country and our economy to continue being their safety valve is a broken and bankrupt status quo that must end.

Mel Torme| 10.19.10 @ 10:40PM

Thanks George, and that was a very good post there. I was also going to write about Operation Wetback and also the amazing feats, like sending men to the moon that America has done, but my fingers were getting hot, and my blood pressure was pegging out.

Have a good evening.

C. Smith| 10.20.10 @ 1:12AM

“Messiah” Obama (Amos 3:2)
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed”?

On February 24, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, before a black audience, formally “anointed” the “Messiah”:

"You are the instruments that God is going to use to bring about universal change, and that is why Barack has captured the youth. And he has involved young people in a political process that they didn't care anything about. That's a sign. When the Messiah speaks, the youth will hear, and the Messiah is absolutely speaking."

But who is Louis Farrakhan, the “messenger” heralding America’s “Messiah”? And what latent symbiosis exists between him and person who may become our next president? His words may reveal the answer:

White people are potential humans…. they haven’t evolved yet (Louis Farrakhan, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 2000)....

Yosemeti Sam| 10.20.10 @ 2:05AM

" ... The National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council specifically named ICE director John Morton and assistant director Phyllis Coven, accusing them of having "abandoned the agency's core mission of enforcing United States Immigration Laws" and "campaigning for programs and policies related to amnesty."...."

Um - from the HORSESs' MOUTH!

To Republican EARS - get a clue, come HR control come January 2011.

HR - traditional stomping grounds for committee probes/hearings/investigations.

May the Republicans order plenty of Kleig lights to 'sweat' the Leftoids who most assuredly will be called to - ACCOUNT!

Leaving no stone - unturned!

Or else!

youfamissim| 10.20.10 @ 11:49AM

Immigration = always a hot topic. Check out Operation Wetback - Eisenhower's round em up and deport them program.

Libs and Dems love illegals because they are future (and current, in some locations) Democrat voters. Idiot GW Bush thought he could win illegals over to vote for him. Other idiot Republicans think the same nonsense. Stopping illegal immigration is very simple. Start the round up - I don't know about you - but I don't care if a few suspect legals who refuse to carry their "Papers"get caught in the act. They will have the chance to prove they are legal. And if they aren't carrying proper documentation to prove citizenship - shame on them. I carry that documentation and I'll bet you do too. I am so out of my mind furious about illegal immigration I am prepared to support a new social security card - Photo, fingerprint, DNA proof Iyam who Iyam. Everyone must apply and receive a new card to prevent fraud.

Wanna see illegals run for the border? Start a stringent discovery program that leads to deportation in days. Legal folks will do what they must to avoid being considered illegal - like carrying papers!

I also want a REAL border fence - super secure two wall system - with gun towers and a mine field in between walls - pungi sticks, broken glass, steel spikes - whatever it takes. And... as we all know - Deadly Force is a must have component of any border policy. Deadly force for illegals and any drug lord who screws with the USA. I am so done with illegal crap.

Who's with me?

Ed Harris| 10.20.10 @ 1:23PM

La Raza themselves have been quoted on the 3-5 million illegals in Los Angeles and Orange County alone, and with the number we catch every day (how many get through 5-8 for every one we nab?), this has been on going for 25 years at least. The numbers are more in line with 20-30 million illegals in our country, there's close to 12 million in California alone!

Jimi| 10.20.10 @ 1:29PM

The Agriculture Department can track every cow in the USA due to the mad cow scare.
Mastercard can track every purchase without errors.

The DHS can't even get their employees to support their inaction. It is intentional, the darelection of duty by the Federal government. They have abdicated their constitutional required duties to "protect the nNation from invasion, Article One.
That is an impeachable offense.

Danielle| 10.22.10 @ 10:21AM

Please! Keep a positive thought - THERE WILL BE NO SECOND TERM FOR THIS MANIAC.

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