Stricter immigration policy and harsher penalities necessary
Padrick Dennis
Issue date: 4/26/06 Section: Opinion
America has always had to deal with immigration. It is the reason most of us are here, but that does not mean that more is better.
I have no problem with a reasonable number of immigrants coming to America, getting a green card, going to work, and paying taxes; it's quite a nice setup. However, I do have a problem with the millions of illegal immigrants who drain our welfare system and work for cash without paying taxes. Why should they have benefits of citizenship when there is a long line of people trying to get into America legitimately?
While it would be a nightmare to round up millions of illegals and ship them back home, it makes less sense to grant them citizenship. On principle that is a terrible idea. What would happen when the next million shows up demanding rights, citizenship, classes taught in foreign languages, and things of that nature? Probably whatever decision America makes now will influence immigration policy for a long time. Allowing anyone to show up and become a citizen is not a good idea from a security standpoint, not to mention it undermines the legitimate process of immigration and nauralization.
In order to solve the problem, two things need to happen. First, the borders need to be patrolled better to stop illegals from coming into America. The second issue deals with why illegal immigrants stay once they are in America-they have a job or enjoy the benefits provided by the government.
An easy way to handle that is restricting benefits to American citizens and going after employers of illegals. Without benefits, there is no incentive to cross the border for medical treatment. Without a job, there is no reason to stay in America, or come in the first place. By going after employers who actively use illegal workers, not just with a slap on the wrist, but real penalties, it might be possible to curb illegal employment in America.
Overall, increased enforcement and stricter penalties on employers of illegal workers may alleviate some of the illegal immigrant problem, but the issue is deeper that that. Basically, what has to be decided is how many immigrants will be allowed into America each year, how they will get here, and how much they will have to assimilate. As far as I'm concerned there, parading with Old Glory after the backlash from parading with other flags is not an appropriate amount of assimilation.
Immigration may be a good thing, but it should be done legally, not by opening the gates to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. That just doesn't make sense.
I have no problem with a reasonable number of immigrants coming to America, getting a green card, going to work, and paying taxes; it's quite a nice setup. However, I do have a problem with the millions of illegal immigrants who drain our welfare system and work for cash without paying taxes. Why should they have benefits of citizenship when there is a long line of people trying to get into America legitimately?
While it would be a nightmare to round up millions of illegals and ship them back home, it makes less sense to grant them citizenship. On principle that is a terrible idea. What would happen when the next million shows up demanding rights, citizenship, classes taught in foreign languages, and things of that nature? Probably whatever decision America makes now will influence immigration policy for a long time. Allowing anyone to show up and become a citizen is not a good idea from a security standpoint, not to mention it undermines the legitimate process of immigration and nauralization.
In order to solve the problem, two things need to happen. First, the borders need to be patrolled better to stop illegals from coming into America. The second issue deals with why illegal immigrants stay once they are in America-they have a job or enjoy the benefits provided by the government.
An easy way to handle that is restricting benefits to American citizens and going after employers of illegals. Without benefits, there is no incentive to cross the border for medical treatment. Without a job, there is no reason to stay in America, or come in the first place. By going after employers who actively use illegal workers, not just with a slap on the wrist, but real penalties, it might be possible to curb illegal employment in America.
Overall, increased enforcement and stricter penalties on employers of illegal workers may alleviate some of the illegal immigrant problem, but the issue is deeper that that. Basically, what has to be decided is how many immigrants will be allowed into America each year, how they will get here, and how much they will have to assimilate. As far as I'm concerned there, parading with Old Glory after the backlash from parading with other flags is not an appropriate amount of assimilation.
Immigration may be a good thing, but it should be done legally, not by opening the gates to anyone, anytime, from anywhere. That just doesn't make sense.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Anonymous
posted 5/05/06 @ 11:42 AM EST
Mr. Padrick Dennis.
Thank you for your thoughts. Well lets look at something you missed out. Yes, all illegal immigrants broke the law and they should be punished -- I certainly do agree with you on that but if you have 11 million odd illegal people in this country, dosen't that make you feel that there is or was something wrong with the law or law inforcement in that part. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 5/07/06 @ 11:19 AM EST
I believe Congress should deay any vote on immigration until these THUGS stop threatening the American people and the US Congress. The more illegals march and boycott the longer they should have to wait for a decision from Congress. (Continued…)
he stank
posted 5/06/08 @ 3:04 PM EST
gftfthfgtgtfhghjg
Archie Gurley Jr
posted 11/23/09 @ 7:46 PM EST
I believe that stricter laws should be taken because of the problems that is going on here in America. I don't think that we should give everyone who enters the states all the same rights and priviledges that american born races already have. (Continued…)
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