Posted on 08/23/2015 5:35:15 AM PDT by Kaslin
Immigration is not going anywhere as a political issue, as much as some would like it to.
Although Democrats and the media whine over the term “anchor baby” and the concept of our national sovereignty, adults have to address real problems, and millions of people in the country illegally is a problem. So let’s address it, shall we?
Big business and big government love the idea of amnesty; cheap labor for one, a dependent voting bloc for the other. To that end, both agree to the lie that amnesty would be a boon to the economy.
Somehow we’re meant to believe employers of these low-skilled workers suddenly will decide the added expense of having legal workers on the payroll (payroll taxes, worker’s comp insurance, etc.) will be worth their clean conscience, or the fear of a previously unenforced fine will force their hand. They’re already willingly breaking the law. Why stop simply because those who’ve enabled you to do so are threatening to enforce it at some nebulous date in the future?
As for the illegal aliens, their desires never should be considered a priority over Americans. Those not on public assistance either knowingly work “under the table” or with stolen identities. Either way, who cares? Any choice they’ve made was a choice made of free will knowing the consequences.
The only reason to consider anything other than deportation is the expense. But there’s a way around that and to fix the mess politicians of both parties have created.
I’ve written about this before, but allow me to clarify and expand on it again in the hope that one or more of the feckless Republicans running for president decide meaningless platitudes does not a plan make.
First: Seal the borders. No one gets in, from anywhere, until we deal with those who are already here. That means heavy patrols on the southern border and immediate removal of those sneaking across. No excuses, no exceptions. Those seeking refugee status have the rest of the world to choose from; we have to get our house in order.
Second: Create a “Purple Card” to be offered to those here illegally who can prove they are employed. For lack of a better word, it is a form of amnesty. It will allow them to continue to work legally for a set number of years, after which it can be renewed if no crimes, not even misdemeanors, have been committed. If convicted of a crime, you’re out, no matter what.
Illegal aliens will have one year after the border is sealed to apply for a Purple Card. They must provide fingerprints that will remain on file permanently and be accessible to law enforcement. There will be a processing fee. If they can’t come up with it, they add so little to the country that they should not qualify.
After they are checked out and receive a Purple Card, they are free to work in this country for the specified number of years, renewable in perpetuity, as long as they are law abiding. They must verify they are working six months of every year. If they are unemployed for more than two months in any given 12-month period, they’re out. If they’re here to work, as we’re told, a work requirement shouldn’t be an issue.
By accepting the Purple Card, they receive the right to work and freely move about the country, as well as to leave and return. But they never, ever can obtain U.S. citizenship. Their children, guests in our country just as they are, cannot become U.S. citizens, even those born here during their Purple Card time. We will educate them, but they are not Americans. For that they must go through the legal process in their home country.
Third: They will pay all taxes owed from their earnings, including all FICA taxes. But they will be barred from ever collecting Social Security, qualifying for Medicaid or enrolling in Medicare. That is the price of admission, the price for violating our laws.
If, as Democrats say, immigration reform is about getting people “out of the shadows,” this does that. If, as Republicans say, they’re only here to work and help their families, this does that too. If it’s about something else, like creating voters who will undercut Americans’ votes, this will be opposed.
We’re told illegal aliens only want to work to support their families. This allows for that. There will be minimal disruption of the economy since those illegal aliens actually here to work will be free to do just that. Others, criminals and non-contributors, will be weeded out.
This must be coupled with an expedited deportation process. Anyone not willing to meet the criteria for this generous new plan made a choice, and that choice must have consequences. Committing a crime is another conscious choice, Americans must be protected from guests who would do them harm, in any way.
Citizenship, or even the right to live here on a temporary basis, is too precious to be handed out like Halloween candy.
Any or all of this idea is available, free of charge, to any politician who wants it. Mix it, mold it, change it, but keep the concept. Citizenship, the end result of amnesty, is what Americans dislike the most. Show some innovative thinking by removing it as a possibility.
On a personal note, thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes and generous gifts in response to last Sunday’s column about my impending wedding. I will be sending each of you a personal thank you once the “I do’s” are done and I have a moment to breathe.
That's where he lost me. NO AMNESTY of any kind PERIOD!
Townhall which is owned by GOPE Salem Communications continues to shill.
I have a better idea, I’ve written about it before too. Here’s a copy of another post:
Securing the border is priority one, but do it WHILE getting everything else going.
E verify - I’m not crazy about the government having a database of any kind, but this seems like it might be necessary. Give it some teeth.
Fines - Fine every employer caught hiring illegal immigrants, I’d say $10,000 per person.
Caught here illegally - Confiscate everything. Money, cars, home furnishings, leave them with the clothes they’re wearing. Go home.
Wire transfers - 25% fee on all Western Union money transfers going out to Mexico, no exceptions.
1st time - Go home. Lose everything.
2nd time - Stay here, in prison, 5 years, lose everything.
And of course there’s my long time immigration plan...
I need to copy this into a notepad file, I seem to be posting it a lot...secure the border of course...
1. Stop all foreign aid to Mexico. Stop the money, you have their attention. Nothing gets a politicians attention quicker. I’ve recently amended that to stop all foreign aid to every country south of Texas.
2. Stop all tourist traffic into Mexico on a temporary basis, in the interest of public safety, Americans are in danger south of the border.
3. Put the military at the border if necessary, shoulder to shoulder, from Laredo to the Pacific shore.
4. Tell Mexico to stop illegal immigration AND shut down the drug cartels and we’ll talk money.
I give it 6 months and you won’t be able to get a mouse across the border without papers.
[snip]
Temporary work permits...maybe...but only for months, not years. With unemployment high as it is, I think many of the jobs currently held by illegals would be welcomed by Americans who need to survive.
I'm down with that...
Certainly the border must be sealed airtight. And all necessary force must be used to keep it that way.
Gangbangers here should be treated as non-uniformed enemy combatants, and sent to Guantanamo. Citizens and noncitizens alike.
If we can’t deport those here and employed, and I understand the difficulty and logistics involved, we can leverage the social security aspect. They can stay, never be able to vote, and all entitlements for everyone would be fully privatized. I would make that tradeoff.
I’d prefer to see enforcement at the employer level. Pass stiffer penalties and add jail terms for employers who hire illegals. Then, give US employers one year to clean-up their work forces before strict enforcement begins.
And, of course, secure the border, improve visa system, mandatory E-Verify, and all the logical procedures to keep closer tabs on who comes and goes in the US.
The idea not as bad as opening paragraphs might make it seem PING.
ALL of those conditions are irrelevant.
They will mean NOTHING—they have been tried before, REMEMBER? Shot down every time.
ALL of those conditions are irrelevant.
They will mean NOTHING—they have been tried before, REMEMBER? Shot down every time.
This is called amnesty. And why should we protect illegal alien jobs? According to the law, it is illegal for an illegal alien to work and it is illegal for someone to hire him.
Once you legalize them and have them pay into SS and Medicare, they become eligible for those benefits. Both programs are running in the red now. Adding more people to the system adds to the unfunded liability of the programs.
This is called amnesty. And why should we protect illegal alien jobs? According to the law, it is illegal for an illegal alien to work and it is illegal for someone to hire him.
Once you legalize them and have them pay into SS and Medicare, they become eligible for those benefits. Both programs are running in the red now. Adding more people to the system adds to the unfunded liability of the programs.
NEWS FLASH!!! Townhall did not write the article. The author is Derek Hunter. I don't recall pinging you to the article and I will not let you tell me that I can not post articles that are in Townhall.com
GOT IT?
40% of the illegal aliens came here legally and overstayed their visas. Securing the border only solves part of the problem.
What we need is fences like this
Let them try to get over a fence like this
This is a must
Add to Number 1:
Declare all Mexican Consulate staff Persona Non Grata and require that they remove themselves and dependents from the USA within 24 hours.
Reason: They have been instrumental in providing false IDs with their matricula cards, publications providing instructions to illegal aliens.
Declare any visiting Mexican official who espouses the cause of amnesty and attempts to sway US government public policy and laws subversive elements and PNGs and remove themselves as above.
Immediately limit incoming commercial trucking to 25% of current average at border crossings. That 25% subject to total inspection of all cargo, removed from vehicle and hand inspected on tarmac, the cost paid for by shipper.
Stop allowing Mexican nationals from driving such rigs within US borders, require licensed American drivers past inspection point.
Declare Mexico hostile to the interests and safety of the USA giving it same status as North Korea. And any lobbyist group or individual as agents of a hostile nation.
And no ‘effeing loop holes or exceptions attempted by elected officials.
Re: post 17, all that’s needed are guard towers and strategically placed 50 caliber guns.
It's interesting to me that Texas, Arizona, and California - three states complaining the most about illegal immigrants - are three states which do not require employers to use e-verify to check legal status. I wonder why?
Wire transfers - 25% fee on all Western Union money transfers going out to Mexico, no exceptions.
You penalize the legal as well as the illegal, and not all illegal aliens are from Mexico. Some 40% of them come from countries other than Mexico. What about them?
2nd time - Stay here, in prison, 5 years, lose everything.
That makes illegal residency a criminal offense rather than a civil one. That would require jury trials, bail, appeals, and all the rest.
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