Many people put off talking about immigration reform until “America regains control of its borders.” But, according to Douglas Massey’s recent CNN article, that moment has arrived. He says:
According to estimates from the Mexican Migration Project, which I co-direct, the rate of new undocumented migration from Mexico dropped to zero in 2008 for the first time in 50 years. This remarkable event partly reflects the drop in labor demand in the context of a deep economic recession, but it also stems from a massive increase in border enforcement. Since 1990, the size of the Border Patrol has increased by a factor of five and its budget by a factor of 13.
While this increased enforcement surely contributed to decreased immigration, it also likely decreased the outflow of immigrants who were already here.
At present, therefore, new undocumented migrants are not heading northward; former undocumented migrants are coming back in very small numbers; and settled undocumented residents are staying put. As a result of these trends, the population of undocumented U.S. residents peaked at 12.6 million persons in 2008 and fell to 10.8 million in 2009, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Net undocumented migration is now slightly negative.
Many immigrants are also employed as guest workers; in fact, from 1990 to 2008, the number of Mexicans admitted with temporary work visas grew from 17,000 to 361,000 per year. Many other migrants are becoming citizens. For example, the number of legal Mexican immigrants attaining U.S. citizenship went from 18,000 in 1990 to 232,000 in 2008.
In sum, of the four principal components of comprehensive immigration reform, three have already been substantially achieved. The border is now under control and net-undocumented migration has fallen below zero; a guest worker program has been created to bring in more than 360,000 temporary Mexican migrants per year; and legal immigrants have increasingly taken it upon themselves to “expand” the quotas by naturalizing and sponsoring the entry of immediate relatives outside of the numerical quotas.
According to Massey, one main accomplishment remains: the creation of a pathway to legalization for long-term, undocumented residents of the United States.
Somewhere around three million of these people entered the country as minors. They did not make the decision to violate U.S. immigration law and should not be held responsibilities for choices made by their parents. In the absence of a criminal record or other disqualifying circumstances, those who entered as minors should be given an immediate and unconditional amnesty and be allowed to proceed with their lives in the only country that most of them know.
For their part, undocumented migrants who entered as adults should be offered a temporary legalization that confers the right to live and work in the United States for some extended period, during which they would be able to accumulate points ultimately to qualify them for legal permanent residence. Points would be awarded for socially desirable behaviors such as paying taxes, learning English, studying civics, holding a steady job, owning a home, parenting U.S. citizen children and generally staying out of trouble. Once a certain minimum threshold of points is achieved, migrants would be allowed to pay a fine as restitution for violating the law and then, having paid their debt to society, get on with their lives as legal permanent residents of the United States. We are much closer to the ultimate goals of immigration reform than most people realize.
Comments 1
Brittanicus — July 9, 2011
Can anybody clarify to me, why American taxpayers are forced by law to support people who illegally entered America from foreign countries? It is disturbing this is not charitable giving, but that this money is extorted from our taxes. This is just incurable and has a similar ring to the Obamacare care, which without consent of the majority of the general public that has been also shoved down the throats of US taxpayers. I can truly understand that most Americans desire to aid citizens and legal residents a helping hand in periods of recession or even falling on hard times. But how can the US government make us pay for a foreigner’s education or health care? This is by far one of the most serious issues befallen America, because people who arrive here should not be encouraged to stay by the Democrats or Republicans, either with pandering to them while illegally squatting in America, crossing borders, overstaying visas or coming into the US by ship.
It just goes to show that we cannot trust the US administration or those we place in high authority, to run this country and then gives the American people the finger? I cannot even imagine this nation’s future, where foreign nations seem to have more rights, than birthright citizens? It's only come to light over the last years, that unknown to most Americans politicians they have used cagey practices to pass six small amnesties behind our back, bring in millions with special visas. The major amnesty was in 1986, its inception starting the chain migration from its original population spiraling to 6 million, at a final cost of 76 billion. However, that was 25 year ago and trying to estimate today’s costs, ranges from 2 trillion to 2.5 trillion dollars in legalizing at least 20 million people. ( Statistics of the Heritage foundation) Currently the New York Times and its ultra Liberal activists are trying to convince us all, that illegal immigration has slowed to a trickle? My observation of thousands of sovereignty groups see no credence this revelation, but if these reasoning was solid, what about the millions that have arrived here. It's completely inconceivable or rational to the prudent mind in any government bureaucracy authoring another amnesty of any kind, when this great country is 14 trillion dollars in debt, with Obama's boys trying to lift the debt ceiling even higher.
The Liberals that have infested the Democrats have ruined America with the Tax and spend policies. But this time they are not only confronted by the House Republicans, but the emergence of the All-American Tea Party. Not at the assistance of the Liberal press, that this is just a timid group of dysfunctional people, but a very enthusiastic membership of all party affiliates that is straining to release itself from the usual, elitist GOP establishment. Thousands of cells or branches are reaching out to every moderate thinking American, to escape the Liberal extreme propaganda and even lies. This is the real people's party, comprising of all races and religions and a rare representation of Blacks, Whites and Hispanics and other races. The general population who are joining the TEA PARTY means Liberal, Independents, Libertarians, Republicans and Democrats and other political associates, who realize finally how they have been deceived.
Leading the TEA PARTY front is Michele Bachmann (R-MN) chair of the Caucus and moderate Conservative by definition, who has taken the presidential race to the people. She makes no excuses for the financial mess the country is in, but is steadfast that unless the Liberal-Democrats start cutting the influence of giant government, we will arrive on August 2, without any guarantee of a compromise of passing the debt limit. Only majority leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada would look for answers, in raising taxes of any kind on taxpayers or industry. Unlike the wimps in the current Congress M. Bachmann speaks out about curtailing illegal immigration, constructing the real double fence, tracking visa over-stays and seeking out business owners who ignore the laws on the books. This lady has a strong resonating voice that draws attention to the principles of the TEA PARTY policies.
Bachmann is resolute in mandating E-Verify and Secure Communities, as these two tools alone could locate and apprehend illegal aliens in the workplace or by checking fingerprints, aides to inform ICE of violations. Through April 30, 2011, more than 77,000 illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, including more than 28,000 convicted of aggravated felony (level 1) offenses like murder, rape and the sexual abuse of children were removed from the United States after identification through Secure Communities,” ICE says on its Secure Communities website. A relative of mine who is a police officer informed me of a very new piece of technologically, that has been assigned to Los Angeles police station called "Blue Checks" He explains it in detail, that this new system allows officers to confront a suspect and request them to hold out their hand. The hand-held device digitally scans the digits of the suspect’s hands, and within minutes the official receives a full criminal background account on the person. Only those in the system have reason to fear if they are wanted for a crime of some classification.
This new piece of equipment is under bombardment by a whole group of left leaning activists, as seeing it as an evasion of a person’s privacy. The "Politically Correct" are already coming out of their grubby holes in the rotting woodwork, crying foul and hoping that the lawmakers rescind its use. The ACLU doesn’t like "Blue Checks “saying the device is an invasion of privacy. Imagine criminal aliens who have reentered the United States being apprehended immediately that may save thousands of American lives. Supporters say they'll be able to find out if someone has prior arrests, in seconds, instead of hours. I see it as a brilliant compact that all should be placed with law enforcement including ICE. This small unit should have access to national Security agencies, connecting to the Social Security Administration, US Citizenship and Immigration Services and of course ICE. Every patrolman should be issued with this module as it offers instant recognition and could catch, illegal aliens using fraudulent ID.
Immigration laws have been ignored for far too long, and the last I heard there were an estimated 8 million aliens in jobs that Americans should have been hired for? This is incomprehensible when 9.3 percent of own people remain out-of-work. This is plain stealing and employees should be held to the highest penalty allowed by law. WHY COMING TO A SOVEREIGN LAND ILLEGALLY IS NOT A FELONY, MAKES NO SENSE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION. Michelle Bachmann said she will enforce the 1986 Immigration laws, with no exception and zero tolerance that breaks these laws. It is the same with Governors and mayors who abuse city and State laws, applying a blind eye to Sanctuary Cities and States. This illegal immigration battle has been brewing for thirty years or more, except the law abiding people have finally come out of their somnolence.
Everyday blogs, articles and commentaries are crammed full of the abusiveness of previous and current administrations, overlooking intentionally the people's needs and who have become supplicants to majority major organization, that place pack money in favorable politicians pockets. Bloggers and conservative entities describe the overcrowded schools full with the children of illegal parents; classrooms crammed to legal capacity. In the Southwest the phenomena of closing hospitals overrun with continuous streams of foreign nationals filling the waiting room seats, for every type of medical emergency and even minor colds and ear infections. The uninsured have silently entered this nation, with the purpose of applying for welfare with the backing of taxpayers’ money. These are mostly unfunded mandates forced on States, which have finally found a voice within the Canyon State of Arizona. Others have been quick to follow, including Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Utah already enforcing selective laws, not restricted by federal court system. E-Verify are the best tool available to prevent jobs from going to illegal aliens, no matter what the other side of the aisle says? More than 260,000 businesses are already using E-Verify at nearly one million work sites, nationwide.
Remember foreign nationals have been voting in federal and State elections; authorities are should be obligated to ID everybody who registers.
This is about illegal immigration? An immigrant is not illegal and people need to be enlightened. Highly skilled Professional workers are always welcome, not indigent ECONOMIC illegal aliens who are driving this country, into a third world condition. We cannot accommodate any longer those who come here to steal welfare and public benefits from legitimate Americans. It is estimated that illegal aliens send home by wire transfer around $40 billion dollars annually, that should be going into state treasuries.
Don't hesitate to reach the Senate phone switchboard—202-224–3121 and House—202-225–3121, and inform them you will not be manipulated into another clandestine Amnesty, disguised as the DREAM ACT.