Immigration Reform: Comprehensive Disinformation Part II
In 1986, Ronald Reagan signed into law an immigration amnesty bill called the Immigration Reform and Control Act. It had three key provisions: amnesty for people, predominantly from Mexico, who were living in this Country illegally; securing our borders with Mexico; and cracking down on businesses that employ illegal aliens. At the time, there were less than 3 million illegals living in the U.S.A. Of the three major provisions of the 1986 Act, only amnesty happened.
In 1996, Bill Clinton signed into law an immigration enforcement bill known as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act. It sought to prevent and combat the entry of illegals into the Country and the availability of fraudulent immigration documents. It permits state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law. The agencies must be trained and supervised by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
How has the enforcement of the 1986 and 1996 Acts worked out? Three states have declared themselves “sanctuary states”, meaning they refuse to obey federal immigration law and openly harbor illegals within their borders. There are over 100 cities in 24 other states that are also “sanctuaries” for illegals. Tough business sanctions are scarcer than hen’s teeth. There are almost 4 times the numbers of illegals in the Country now than there were in 1986, the vast majority from Mexico. Phoenix has become the kidnapping capital of the U.S., thanks to the unfettered presence of the Mexican drug cartels.
Obama’s place in this sorry landscape? For starters, the upcoming DHS budget reduces money for border security. Yet, with less than one American agent per mile along the border today, there is already a shortage of protection. If you played dare base or steal the flag as a kid, you’d want to be on the Mexico team. With these kinds of odds, you can’t lose. You’d be across that border and in a nearby sanctuary in a hot flash. Olly, olly oxen free. What a great game for kids.
But, who are the game masters really trying to kid? Against the collapse of immigration enforcement, Obama is demanding another amnesty law while suing a state that’s been thrown to the border wolves. What’s the fuss really about? Arizona has embarrassed Obama by focusing the public spotlight on his formerly low-key immigration agenda, which is to punt on enforcement against workers.
His new “silent raid” policy allows ICE-verified illegals to walk away. And, while he cuts border security funding, he rewards sanctuary hangouts by turning a blind eye. Arizona’s law has forced him on the offensive to win back eroding support of Hispanic voters who want more. So, Arizona is now facing big federal guns for its sins of mimicking existing federal law and of preempting Obama. Of course, according to the latest opinion polls, Obama is suffering for his own sins.
If that were the end of it, it would be shabby enough, but it’s not. The most shameful episode in recent congressional history was the standing ovation given by many of our politicians to Mexico’s President as he castigated Arizona. In fact, Mexico is so high on Amnesty International’s list of human rights violators that you need a ladder to reach it. And the U.S. should sue Mexico for failing to stop its murderous drug cartels from storming our Country.
Instead, Mexico has joined one of the lawsuits against Arizona. So, arrayed in opposition to the State is Mexico, with its human rights violations and invading cartels, and the President of the United States. How did it get this wrong?
If Obama and Congress have any stomach for more reform this year, they should reform themselves. Live up to the commitments in the legislation already on the books. Truly secure the border. Truly penalize businesses that employ illegals. Politicians have to stop asking us to believe that they’ll do this time what they didn’t do the first two times. We can be gullible for only so long.
See you in the mirror.