Posted on 12/05/2004 7:41:06 PM PST by CHARLITE
Even though the presidential election is over and many conservatives now breathe a sigh of relief, this is not the time to turn a watchful eye away from some of the problems left unsolved by the reelection of President Bush. Chief among those problems is illegal immigration to the United States.
Consider three examples in the recent news that we ought to watch closely: the terrible murder on November 2 of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, the Arizona ballot initiative, Proposition 200, which denies some services to illegals, and the mounting pressure to water down the 9/11 defense bill by not including a provision that denies drivers licenses to illegal aliens.
The problems associated with uncontrolled immigration are no longer just problems facing the United States. Although many in the media don’t want to admit it, the European Union is having its share of immigration problems, too. According to Associated Press Writer Anthony Deutsch (November 10, 2004), “One of the most popular politicians in the Netherlands (Geert Wilders) said...the country’s democracy is under threat and called for a five-year halt to non-Western immigration in the wake of the killing of a Dutch filmmaker by a suspected Muslim radical.”
Geert Wilders went on to say, “If you chose radical Islam you can leave, and if you don’t leave voluntarily then we will send you away. This is the only message possible.” Wilders added, that “without swift, bold action, Islamic fundamentalism will topple the country’s democratic system.”
Meanwhile, in Brussels, European Union leaders met to discuss immigration. Then they did something that we would like to see happen in the United States. “The European Union justice and interior ministers agreed to demand that new immigrants learn the language of their adopted countries and adhere to ‘European values’ to guide them toward better integration.”
The voters of Arizona may have echoed the sentiment of the European Union. The recent passage of Proposition 200 in Arizona is a good example of what can be done, even if politicians don’t want to do anything. Proposition 200, which denies some public services to illegal immigrants, was opposed by many prominent elected officials in Arizona, including Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican Sen. John McCain. Some Hispanic advocacy groups, labor unions, and civil rights organizations also opposed Proposition 200. Nevertheless, it passed with 56 percent of the vote.
Unfortunately, as of December 2, U. S. District Judge David C. Bury blocked the implementation of Proposition 200, saying attorneys raised serious questions about its constitutionality and its potential conflicts with federal law. The judged granted a temporary restraining order and set a Dec. 22 hearing on evidence for and against the anti-illegal immigration measure (The Arizona Republic, Dec. 1, 2004). Regardless of the restraining order, proponents of Proposition 200 believe they will eventually prevail.
Earlier, writing in the Washington Times (10 November), reporter Jerry Seper states, “The passage of an Arizona immigration initiative requiring verifiable identification to vote or receive public benefits has spurred similar efforts in other states... Of course, the Mexican government whose immigration policies are an act of war against the United States, said in Seper’s article that the initiative “will lead to discrimination based on racial profiling while limiting access to basic health and educational services.”
While we do not expect sane immigration and border security policies from the Mexicans, it is another story from the U. S. Congress. At the moment, Congress is debating the 9/11 Recommendation Implementation Act. The purpose of the act is to put in place the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Many of these recommendations will bring about reforms in intelligence and national security.
The 9/11 Commission recommended that drivers licenses not be given to illegal immigrants. This recommendation seems obvious, yet many in Congress want to pass a bill that does not include this provision. We have to ask why is the drivers license issue even up for discussion? It’s just common sense that people who are in this country illegally should not be able to drive or do anything else, except maybe drive themselves out of the country. Law-abiding Americans must wonder how any elected representative who has sworn to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States can look the other way when illegal immigrants violate these very laws.
The rumor is that the Bush Administration wants to bend over backwards to appease the immigration lobby and prefers a bill without the drivers’ license provision. Nevertheless, there is intense lobbying going on from the other side. NumbersUSA and other groups have launched a phone and e-mail campaign to make sure that any legislation coming from the 9/11 Commission’s report includes a provision that prevents illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses.
Some of the 9/11 families are adamant about including a drivers license provision in the bill. Writing in The Washington Times (December 01, 2004), reporters Stephen Dinan and Brian DeBose quote Joan Molinaro, mother of a New York City firefighter who died September 11. She argued, “You allowed the murder of my son. I will not allow you to kill my daughters...No bill should pass the Senate, the House, anywhere, unless it contains immigration reform--you secure our borders, you keep my girls alive.”
House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.), is fighting to keep the drivers license prohibition in the bill against strong pressure from the White House and pro-immigration advocates. According to Chairman Sensenbrenner, “The 19 murderers on Sept. 11 got 63 separate legally issued drivers licenses from five states. They used those to open bank accounts and to get on the plane.”
It just makes sense to Sensenbrenner and most Americans to deny illegal aliens and potential terrorists drivers licenses. In light of Theo van Gogh’s murder in Amsterdam and the passing of Proposition 200 in Arizona, Sensenbrenner may have more sense than those members of Congress who oppose him. It would be good for our national security if the message sent by Arizona voters about illegal immigration would be heard loud and clear in Washington, D. C.
About the Writer: Robert Klein Engler is an adjuct professor at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a versatile writer of op-ed articles, poetry, and philosophy. His newest book, "A Winter of Words," is available from amazon.com.
We only have to look across the Atlantic to see our future under a Socialistic form of Government, This includes a LAX Immigration Policy. I have e-mailed Rep Hastert, Sen Santorum,Senator Frist and the White House Demanding that stronger Immigration legislation is passed that will not allow illegal immigrants valid US Drivers licenses.
I have also signed every petition that I can find. I know that you have probably done the dame. It's time to make the calls tomorrow to them and demand that our borders are controlled and illegal immigrants are not allowed in our country. Wehave given the President a lot of Political Capital, but on this subject we must make sure he is FLAT BROKE!!
ping
This judge was appointed by Bush.
"The European Union justice and interior ministers agreed to demand that new immigrants learn the language of their adopted countries and adhere to ‘European values’ to guide them toward better integration.”
Wow. Even the EU gets it. I hope the handful of OBL (Open border lobby) promoters get it before their neighborhoods are turned into 3rd world enclaves like too many Americans have experienced
Last night on the Terry Anderson Show (www.terryandersonshow. com), a latino gang banger, Miguel, from the 18th st. gang called and threatened Anderson, challenging Anderson to give out his home address because 50 of them were coming after him! Anderson really let the guy have it. The next caller was Carlos, an American citizen, who was appauled at the threats and wants the invasion stopped. Anderson, a black American patriot, stated they had enough problems before with their own criminal element,they sure didn't need to import more and their neighbrohoods are being destroyed by the latino gangs.
GWB appointed Judge Bury. The judge who knocked down Proposition 187 (Judge Pfaelzer) was appointed by Carter. Is there such a thing anymore as an American President who appoints conservative judges, judges who don't try to overthrow the will of the people? Times have sure changed.
Government has changed. Conservative use to mean law and order, and smaller government. We've got neither.
Probably afraid of the wrath of the bots.
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