Recently, some U.S. Senators, identified as the "gang on eight," proposed an 844-page bill which will secure the border, allow thousands of workers into the country, and put 11 million people, who came here illegally, on a path to citizenship. It also requires employers to verify the legal status of prospective employees.
The thought of reading an 844 page treatise on immigration legislation which is comparable to a medium sized phone book, is overwhelming - so who reads this stuff? And do our Congressional leaders actually comprehend the legislation being submitted?
It is interesting, for example, to note this 844 page "thing" includes an employer requirement to verify legal status of prospective employees. Some might recall former President Ronald Reagan's 1987 amnesty program for 1.4 million illegal aliens also included a requirement for employers to verify legal status of their employees - so what happened? Obviously, if more than 11 million illegals crossed our borders in the 26 years since the Reagan amnesty, the employer check of legal status simply did not work because no one bothered to enforce the law.
Existing immigration laws have regulated and established rules for individuals and/or families who wish to take legal residence in the U.S. More often than not, those who wish to come here, and have followed the rules (a background check, physically and mentally sound and financially secure), have succeeded and contributed to the wealth of our Nation. And now, because this country was unable or unwilling to enforce its immigration laws, some Congressional leaders feel compelled to amend or otherwise abandon immigration laws that have guided the U.S. for over 200 years. The real question is why?
The national news media commented that, instead of celebrating "Cinco de-Mayo" (a distinctly Mexican holiday), there were crowds of picketers who complained that farm workers were not treated fairly with respect to wages, health care and other benefits shared by most American citizens.
One wonders what sort of logic is involved in crossing a border in violation of another country's immigration laws and then demanding a fair wage and a host of other benefits? Common sense might lead one to believe that because former President Reagan granted amnesty, he was compelled to require employers to verify legal status of their employees precisely to discourage continued violation of America's immigration laws. If an illegal cannot secure a job, he cannot survive but the better argument is that if word gets out that the U.S. is enforcing its immigration laws to include employers, then it follows the only path into America is by securing some form of legal entry.
If we travel to a foreign country, it is certain someone will eventually check to see if we are carrying a passport and visa. We know that failure to produce documentation will probably lead to confinement in a foreign jail. Accordingly, we expect foreigners to respect our laws the same as they would expect us to respect theirs.
It would appear that, instead of an 844 page document which Legislators probably will not read, some effort should be made to enforce existing laws! However, there are additional arguments both for and against efforts to legalize the millions of illegals - those arguments will have to wait until next time.