Immigration Reform is What?

Some say immigration reform is un-Christian. Immigration reform is one the toughest federal issues. Yet, with many individual states passing their own immigration reform legislation, INS raids occurring throughout the United State, workers getting spooked and not showing up for work, crops rotting in the fields – it is clear, the Agribusiness Industry cannot wait. It is unclear if the House will take the immigration reform issue to the floor. Aggressive and effective efforts to control the border along with unfailing enforcement and sanctions for employers that use illegal immigrants are essential to stem a new influx from occurring after enactment of new immigration reform.

To remind everyone that immigration reform is not some far away issue on the borders of Mexico, but very much a local one. Through our growing migrant ministry, I can tell you that some 17,000 migrant people here will be affected by any act of Congress on this issue. Immigration reform is now in limbo, perhaps to return to the Senate floor for a vote, perhaps not. The debate so far — over ‘amnesty,’ border control, and guest workers—has assumed that “workplace enforcement” is a good thing.

The Border Patrol vehicles crisscross the valley, back and forth, responding to calls on their shortwave radios–calls generated by tips from ranchers who’ve seen migrants or, in other cases, signals from ground sensors. Dozens, maybe scores, of migrant bands are crisscrossing in the same territory at the same time. The American people get it, and they do have common sense and wisdom on this issue. They know repeating the fundamental mistakes of the 1986 bill, joining a big amnesty with inadequate enforcement, will cause the problem to grow and not diminish. A particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility. In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any.

The Senate bill would allow persons in the United States for 2 years or more to become citizens, provided that they meet certain requirements, like learning English and paying back taxes. Those persons here less than 2 years would be required to leave the country, but would have the possibility of being allowed to return as a guest worker. The Republic of Mexico could never expect to collect the amount of money sent to the homeland if those same people stayed and paid income tax at home. The Mexican government’s complicity is purely because of the bottom line. We the taxpayers have been forced to pay for expensive benefits given away to illegal aliens. Often these benefits are denied to our own citizens.

In general, immigration policy should encourage high-skill immigration and avoid immigration that will increase poverty and impose significant new costs on taxpayers. Those who pass a background check, learn English, pay back taxes and fines for being here illegally get the opportunity for legal status. Those that don’t must leave. The Majority’s power-grab shut out of legislative debate and decision making Members of both parties who believe we should not give taxpayer funded benefits to illegal immigrants. Brown-Waite joined virtually all the Republicans in boycotting the final vote on the Agriculture Appropriations bill in protest of Tammany Hall style vote fixing.

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Tags: Agribusiness Industry, Border Control, Border Patrol, Enactment, Ground Sensors, Historical Perspectives, Illegal Immigrants, Immigration Ins, Immigration Reform Legislation, Influx, Ins Raids, Limbo, Migrant Ministry, Migrants, New Immigration, Patrol Vehicles, Ranchers, Senate Floor, Shortwave Radios, United State