The Sacramento Bee's Michael Doyle reports the U.S. Senate reached compromises on a guest worker program and granting legal status to illegal aliens. According to Doyle:
A revised guest-worker plan would bring in up to 400,000 foreign workers annually.The estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now in this country could secure legal status after paying a fine and meeting other requirements.
But to soothe over conservatives' objections, the illegal immigrants couldn't obtain permanent legal residency until the current waiting list is whittled down.
This so-called compromise is a capitulation, not reform. Illegal aliens would get another amnesty. The lesson to be learned, yet again, is get into the United States anyway you can because eventually illegal aliens are always provided legal status.
Even with the brittle chicken bone thrown in to "soothe over conservatives' objections," this capitulation will only slow the flood of illegal aliens by the number of guest workers admitted legally.
This so-called compromise is just a crock and we should hope it falls apart as the public learns about it. According to Doyle's article, there is reason to believe it will fall apart:
The deals aren't final, and weren't even voted on Thursday. Instead, lawmakers articulated their compromises and agreed to work out the final details next week.
The Senate compromise is a reaction to Majority Leader Bill Frist threat to introduce a bill that deals solely with border security. Frist's bill would not include a guest-worker provision or a process for handling the 12 million illegal aliens already in the U.S. The Frist bill would beef up security along the Southern border, provide funding for thousands more Border Patrol agents and build fencing in key traffic areas.
Let's consider real immigration reform. The California Yankee Immigration Reform would have the following features.
A guest worker program admitting two million foreign workers a year. Why so many? In fiscal year 2004 1.1 million illegal aliens were apprehended along the Southwestern border alone. I'm sure we didn't catch them all. No illegal alien in the U.S. would be allowed to participate. Illegal aliens must return to their home country before being allowed to participate.Enact the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act passed by the House last December.
Prohibit state and local governments from providing government services to illegal aliens.
Prohibit local governments from enacting “sanctuary” programs for illegal aliens, preventing their employees from inquiring about or reporting an illegal alien’s status.
Detain and deport all illegal aliens when discovered.
These five elements would remove incentives for illegal immigration, provide the foriegn workers we need and truly "reform" immigration policy.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll found the American public supports such immigration reforms:
84 percent in favor of requiring proof of legal residency in order to obtain government benefits.72 percent opposed to allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers' licenses.
62 percent opposed to making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens.
54 percent opposed to making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal workers.
The American voter understands what few of our so-called leaders fail to grasp. Providing services to illegal aliens such as educating their children and issuing them drivers licenses is one of the incentives encouraging illegal aliens to continue to sneak into the country. Reducing illegal immigration should be a top priority. The way to do it is to adopt real immigration reform, not capitulate to illegal aliens.
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