Immigration Reform seems to be getting pretty relevant at State levels recently, whereas the Federal Government, the institution that is supposed to enforce the laws passed by its own Legislative Body seems to be asleep on the wheel. It seems like a family where the children are asking for their parents’ attention but all they get is a slap on the wrist for having tried to talk.
In the column, “The right way to mend immigration”, by Charles E. Schumer and Lindsey O. Graham from the washingtonpost.com, they not only state how Americans overwhelmingly oppose illegal immigration and favor legal immigration, as well as provide solutions to key points of the issue (such as ways to citizenship, back taxes, high tech social security cards and simpler immigrant employment regulations) and urge the public to join them in a bipartisan effort to enact these reforms.
It would be hypocritical to simply exclude immigration from a country that was born in diversity. Many agree, though, that illegal immigration in the US has gotten out of control. The federal laws have not been updated in decades as anxiety brews in the States which keep trying to pass assertive laws and causing confusion among the population of illegal immigrants that struggle with the uncertainty of deportation if they get caught.
It is not clear how many undocumented immigrants currently reside in the US. Reports vary from 11 million to 35 million. Somehow, they survive; they find jobs, shop for clothes, go to restaurants or even own such restaurants. It’s not to say that it’s a lavish life, but they manage.
In the face of the recession we’re facing and fiscal issues that threaten both the Federal and States budgets, we must rethink economically where a lot of money is spent. Teachers are being laid off, classes are going to be more crowded, so how come someone who is not here legally is eligible to enroll in our public schools, or even take part in reduced lunch price programs? The cost of health insurance is skyrocketing; most Americans would not be able to afford it if it wasn’t for their work providing them coverage. Still, many undocumented immigrants use our emergency rooms and clinics for free, since there is no way for these institutions to enforce their bills after they were cared for.
Again, it is not about immigration, but illegal immigration and its impact (burden) on society. That is exactly what the column I referenced talks about and offers a very comprehensive solution for the hot topics; a way to find the equilibrium, the compromise everyone needs and deserves.
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