Many of you may have wondered why I have not waded into this debate over the illegal immigration bill. Well this post by Hugh Hewitt will explain it.
I just don’t understand the bill yet, and really no one does. I mean the draft of the "proposed" bill was just released last night. While I am most certainly for more enforcement of our current laws, more enforcement of our businesses who hires these illegals, I am also realistic in that I know there is no way to deport millions of people. I work for Government, I understand it won’t happen.
That does not mean we shouldn’t try tho. Instead we in Law Enforcement are forced to look the other way when we arrest illegals. If this bill fixes that I say good.
If this bill will ensure that enforcement will become a reality, if it ensures a fence goes up and more Border Patrol agents are hired. If it ensure "catch and release" goes away and penalties for businesses goes through the roof then I may be able to support it.
If it makes the 12 million illegals currently here pay penalties and force them to go home and then come back, then I may be able to support it.
Will I be happy about it? Not completely. But I also understand that in the real world it’s about give and take.
BUT….I am not endorsing nor am I dismissing this bill yet. Simply because I have not read it. I’ve heard a TON of rhetoric, but no real sustenance. Until then, I withhold judgement.
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I can’t understand why not passing this bill is sold as forcing us to Round up 15 million illegals overnight.
I’d like to see more aggressive activity to make it not so appealing to be here. Dry up jobs by pursuing employers, dry up the free services, fast track anyone connected with criminal activity out of the country, etc.
I don’t expect this to end the situation, but if we can enforce more border security and make it less attractive to come here so this isn’t a growing problem, I’m fine with those who remain here being left in limbo.
While there are lots of things wrong with this bill, the most glaring one to me is that everyone who says they were here before January 1, 2007 is legalized immediately. They may not be citizens, but they get this “probationary” status.
Once that happens, interior enforcement will be at an end because nobody will be illegal. We will have a new class of not citizen but not illegal, 13 million of them. Next step, Benefits City.
Nobody serious is advocating forcibly deporting 13 million. That’s a red herring. Block the border, enforce employer sanctions, and cut out the freebies and over time most will leave on their own and the problem will become manageable as they are not replaced.
The new Senate bill is worse than the status quo. A lot worse.