In May 2006 the U.S. Senate approved the construction of fencing along the southern border with Mexico. The move formed part of an immigration bill which is currently stalled in Congress. Here and there the construction of the fence runs into local resistance.
Do you approve of the plans for a 700-mile fence along the border with Mexico?
I do not think that building a fence will solve any problems. I feel that this fence is going to cause many more problems than those it was 'intended' to fix. I strongly feel that congress is way off track with this move. This is not the best way for America to be a 'good neighbor' to our southern allies and neighbor's.
As a citizen of the United States I am of the opinion that all countries have the right to control entry into their country, which applies to the U.S. just as it does to other countries. If you look at how the Mexican government manages their border with its neghibors south of it, you would see that Mexico too trys to control entry into its territory. Mixing the issue of whether or not to build a fence with the general issue of "legal" immigration, and the very different issue of how to handle those who have already entered the U.S. by means outside of our legally sanctioned routes, is simply having the effect of mushing very different issues together in a confusing and misleading manner. I definitely approve of having a controlled border with both of our neghibors, and if it means having to build a physical fence, then so be it.
There are, of course, many interesting and challenging aspects to this question. The fact that uncontrolled immigration across our southern border has been allowed to meander for so long, and for purposes of shoring up relatively cheap food production or filling in low wage jobs does not automatically mean that the system should be allowed to continue as is. Many of the comments here are, I assume, coming from individuals who have little first hand experience with our current immigration system in the U.S. I do not claim to be an expert on this topic, but let me share one small first hand experience. My brother-in-law is a Mexican national. My wife and I submitted the required documents and fees necessary to apply for my brother-in-law to enter the U.S. legally. We have been patiently waiting for over seven years for his application to wind its way through the federal system that we have. To date, we have seen little development on this application. Now, I would ask, why is it okay for literally millions of individuals from other countries to enter the U.S. illegally during this same seven year period, while I, as a U.S. citizen playing by the rules, have waited without result for a relative to be allowed to enter the country legally? There is also one other element that warrants discussion. I would be fine with a system that allowed individuals to enter our country legally, in fairly large numbers, if they met some basic requirements like education levels, language skills, and had the capability of doing jobs other than those that require no skills. The problem with the current and ongoing entry of illegal immigrants is they often are -- and this is a generalization -- from poor, rural areas. As a consequence they are likely poorly educated, may not speak any English, and may not be able to gain any other employment than very basic manual emmployment. So, I would also ask, what kind of new additions to the U.S. family do we want going forward? I would think that we want the best and the brightest, not the poorest and neediest. As citizens of the U.S. I think we have the right, and obligation, to choose who enters the country, and when...
Let's look at the big picture. Things are more complicated than may seem. For decades the US government and most of the people in the US have looked the other way about illegal immigration. We let more or less people in as needed. The same way that the US treasure lower or increases the prime rate to maintain balance in the economy. Historically we have needed a certain ratio of undocumented workers to help a variety of industries; i.e. California growers.
But lately, the flow has been getting out of hand. So, what do we do?
A wall would be directly related to curb immigration. But immigration is directly related to poverty and oppression. Mexico is directly related to the US simply because we are neighbors. It is like Europe and people who migrate from Africa or Eastern Europe. However, don’t be surprised about the following statement: the majority of the people even in poor countries don’t want to come to the US. They are happy where they were raised. People that decide to risk it all are desperate people who look at this country with hope for a better tomorrow.
Mexico checks for illegal immigrants in the South so that less people from Central America try to reach the US border. Mexico has a “war on drugs” so that fewer drugs make it to our streets. In fact the US influences a whole bunch of policies in other places of the world. Should we be greedy or thankful that we are powerful? With power comes responsibility…
Now, how can the flow be controlled? A wall is a dumb idea that some “bright” politician created to earn more votes. If you want to seal the border the US has the technology to do it without a physical wall that reminds everyone of the Berlin wall. My father was in the Navy and you should know that if we want to stop people the technology exists.
But as long as there are jobs (and document forgers) the 10+ million undocumented workers are here to stay. Believe me, it’s much better to wash dishes than to be stuck in a place with nothing to look forwards to. At least there is hope that your children may one day share the responsibility of making this a better world.
The only way to control the flow is by controlling the jobs. So far we have been cynical about it. Undocumented workers are allowed to obtain a tax id number to file taxes. If the government would allow the companies that currently hire those workers to do it 100% legally everybody would benefit. If they come is because they can find a job. Instead of sealing the border seal the jobs. Forget about the wall and simplify the process of legal migration. Hard working people are what make any country great. We have the right ingredients to reap a benefit from people willing to work hard. It’s a gain-gain situation.
Lastly, don’t be afraid of them. They are human beings like the rest of us.
05/27/2009 9:03:39 PM
