Amnesty Versus Enforcement

The problem of illegal immigration has reached a boiling point. For more than twenty years, our government has done little to enforce our immigration laws. The last effort was in 1986 when the Reagan Administration gave over 3 million illegal alien’s amnesty in return for the promise of strict enforcement. The only outcome was additional amnesties and more than 12-20 million illegal aliens now residing in the United States. The American people have had enough and have demanded enforcement. The House of Representatives have passed an enforcement bill but the Senate has passed an amnesty bill.

Under the current bill, legal immigration would rise to more than 2 million legal entries a year (excluding those under amnesty) for a projected total increase of 66 to100 million over 20 years[1]. This is a conservative estimate. This also includes a "guest worker" program that will authorize 200,000 visas per year. These "guest workers" would now have the protection of prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act and agricultural workers could only be fired for “just cause”. Most American workers don't have these protections.

While many are focused on amnesty for illegal aliens, the bill now provides amnesty for illegal aliens who engaged in identity fraud and employers who hired illegal aliens. Illegal aliens will now be able to keep their social security contributions toward their retirement even though they used someone else's social security number! The families of illegal aliens will now be entitled to social security survivor benefits and Medicaid. Even the requirement to re-pay back taxes is limited to three years.

The Senate bill calls for only 370 miles of border fence unlike the House bill which has double the amount. The Senate Bill actually requires the US to consult with Mexico before installing the fence. While the Senate bill increases sanctions on employers who hire illegal aliens, it is currently against the law to hire illegal aliens. Our government has only prosecuted a handful of employers under existing law. The current bill is similar to the 1986 amnesty signed into law by President Reagan. Black's law dictionary references the 1986 law as an amnesty.

The Senate bill authorizes in-state tuition for illegal aliens nationwide. American citizens who reside out of state are required to pay a higher tuition rate. While the Senate bill makes English the official language of the United States, there will be no change to current federal law. How is this comprehensive reform?

Both New York Senators voted for these amendments (except the guest worker provision) and actually voted for an amendment that would have granted amnesty to all illegal aliens even if they arrived in the US a few months ago. This amendment was defeated. Last month, Senator Clinton addressed a demonstration by illegal aliens in Manhattan who were demanding legalization. She spoke in favor of amnesty.

There are several unanswered questions. The Senate bill calls for illegal aliens to provide documentation to verify how long they have been in this county. How could they if they’re “undocumented”? What will be the ultimate cost to the taxpayers? If the government is overwhelmed now in terms of processing immigration paperwork, how can they handle tens of millions of new applications? Why is the Senate reacting to protests by illegal aliens? Why does the US need to import millions of low skilled and uneducated immigrants?

The Senate bill is nothing more than insulting. Our two senators have nothing but contempt for the people. By providing amnesty, government benefits, a “pathway to citizenship” and quadrupling legal immigration, the answer is simple; the mass importation of new voters. The facts support it.

[1] Senate Immigration Bill Would Allow 100 Million New Legal Immigrants Over The Next Twenty Years by Robert Rector-The Heritage Foundation, May 15, 2006