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Immigration Band-Aids Won't Work E. Ralph Hostetter Placing Band-Aids over infected wounds does nothing more than spread the infection. President George W. Bush has done just that. His new program, enforced by the Department of Homeland Security steps-up pressure and increases fines by 25 percent on employers, and requires dismissal of all workers whose names appearing on the Social Security cards they present do not correspond with official Social Security records. With millions of counterfeit Social Security cards in use, mismatches could be the norm. Employers who don't fire those workers may face criminal charges. That's it! A Band-Aid has been applied. On Aug. 10, 2007, Homeland Security published a 1,900 word fact sheet "Improving Border Security and Immigration within Existing Law." Five areas of attention have been identified: 18,300 border guards; 370 miles of fencing; 300 miles of vehicle barriers; 105 cameras and radar towers; and three additional UAV's (unmanned aerial observation vehicles). Story Continues Below
The cost is upwards of $3 billion per year. Another 1,700 border guards and an additional UAV will be added in 2009. These five areas are in addition to the stepped-up "Worksite Enforcement" program requiring "No Match" regulation to help employers ensure their workers are "legal." The Fact Sheet is nothing more than a restatement of the promises made over the past several years but never acted on. With the exception of the 370 miles of fencing the balance of the Homeland Security statement amounts to suggestions and regulations for handling illegal aliens once they get across the border. It is reasonable to believe, since 370 miles of fencing serve a purpose in keeping illegal aliens from crossing the border over that span of territory, an additional 1,700 hundred miles of border fence would seal the border altogether. The improvements suggested in Homeland Security's fact sheet, fully implemented will no doubt cost upwards of $3 billion per year, much of which will become continuing annual costs reaching into the future. Expanding the approved 370 miles of border fence by 1,630 miles at a cost of $2.5 billion would seal the border completely for a one-time cost. The money saved by the reduction of billions of dollars in annually recurring costs for handling illegal aliens once in the country, would soon pay the cost of the fence. At least one 2008 presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani has courage enough to state openly that he will solve the illegal immigration problem. Known as a decision maker and problem solver, Giuliani says he will: "seal" the U.S. Mexican border by building a fence across the entire distance; deport any illegal alien who commits a felony; provide for a tamper proof ID card with fingerprint and a central data bank for tracking purposes. President Bush's Band-Aid solution for illegal immigration coming at this time will work a particular hardship on the farming and construction industries in the nation who rely on extra labor during the summer and fall seasons, the periods of the highest productivity of the two industries. "Everyone's very anxious, said Paul Schlegel, director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation. "We're heading into the busiest time of the year for agriculture, so you're going to see a lot of worry from farmers and employers about how you deal with this." Farm Bureau estimates at least half of the nations 1 million farm workers do not have valid Social Security numbers. Farmers say, losing those workers would devistate the industry, particularly fruit and vegetable growers which rely heavily on manual labor. Construction workers in the building industry rely upon the good weather of summer and fall to complete a large part of their years work. In numbers the building industry of the country employees more labor and will be the most affected. President Bush's Band-Aid solution ignores the underlying crime wave that is developing in the illegal alien population. Throwing millions out of work with no visible means of support will only increase crime across the nation. It has been widely reported and disputed by some that at least 25 violent crimes per day, including murder, negligent homicide, and rape (especially of children) are being committed by illegal aliens. The execution style murder of three young college students, and the wounding of a fourth, in New Jersey last week is testimony to this. Jose Carranza and others, allegedly committed the crime. Carranza's bail had been set for a previous crime. After the bail was reduced, he was released. His status is listed as a non-citizen. Records indicate he is from Peru. To make matters worse, New Jersey has a "sanctuary" law whereby criminals when apprehended cannot be interrogated as to their citizenship. As a result, many of the succeeding violent crimes committed by illegal aliens are committed by individuals with long criminal records. No effort appears to be made in most cases to advise immigration authorities who would be responsible to deport criminals after the first and most certainly after multiple crimes. Crime could be reduced dramatically across the nation, simply, by deporting the criminal after the first offense. It has been reported that 30 percent of all crimes committed in the U.S. at present involve illegal aliens. The United States today is resting on dead center. There is no decisive action being taken by either the executive branch or the U.S. Congress. to solve the immigration issue. American citizens can be certain of one thing: Band-Aids are of little use in solving national problems. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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