America's choice on illegal immigration

America's choice on illegal immigration
Published: April 3 2006 03:00 Last updated: April 3 2006 03:00

This week could turn out to be a moment of truth for those who have spearheaded the backlash against illegal immigration to the US.

For a nation that was - and continues to be - built on immigration, the debate has so far proved very un-American. Politicians from both parties have joined forces with talk-radio celebrities and vigilante patrol groups to demand a 700-mile fence along a large section of the Mexican border. Bill Frist, the Republican Senate leader and a 2008 presidential hopeful, has drafted a bill that would criminalise the estimated 11m illegal immigrants in the US. And Lou Dobbs, the populist CNN anchorman, frightens Americans every night with the spectre of a low-wage Hispanicised future.

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For their part, Republicans should question whether caving into Dobbs-style populism makes sense, even on political grounds. If he had not won 44 per cent of the Hispanic vote in 2004, George W. Bush might not have been re-elected. Democrats, too, should reflect more deeply about the plight of unskilled Americans whose wages have stagnated - and in some cases fallen - over the past decade, partly because of immigration. The answer is surely to invest in upgrading their skills rather than to make scapegoats of Mexico's tired and huddled opportunity-seekers. Meanwhile, everyone should reflect on what drives so many to come to the US: the chance of betterment. As the baby boomers start to retire the solution is clear, even if the politics is difficult - America should expand its legal intake of immigrants.

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I fail to understand why this issue of illegal invasion is being touted as so difficult? What part of 'illegal' is not understood?

Not only do we not need the illegals we don't need the legals! This is not the year 1806 or 1906 this is 2006! We have more people in this nation at this moment than the Fed's, states, or locals can deal with. There is tremendous pressure on everything from highways to hospitals. Let the economy slip off the rails for a few years and you'll see how bad things can become.

Sure there are many industries/businesses who employ 'illegal workers' and have for many years! Why do these industries/businesses employ 'illegals'? Because its cheaper in wages and their are no fringes at all! Maximum profit at the least expense are the hallowed by-words of American business. If you don't think so call customer support for your computer and see who you talk to! Someone in India, Pakistan, or some other country where American business can farm out 'our jobs' at a 1/10 of the cost to keep these jobs in America!

Certainly this is a nation of immigrants we all know that and at one time the US did need many warm bodies for industry and infrastructure building. We no longer need millions of new warm bodies and in fact have far to many warm bodies as it is. The inn is full! Put up the 'No Vacancy' sign and let it go at that.

We are under no obligation to take in the people of the entire world just because they want to come here or business can make a tidy profit by paying them a pittance of what they would have to pay an American.