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cloudboy -> RE: Republicans & Immigration (12/27/2010 9:08:19 PM)
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Regardless of what Americans support or oppose, the US needs to resolve its immigration issues.
The 1996 Immigration Act passed by a fully Republican Congress took a punitive, closed door approach to US visitors who overstayed their visas or snuck across the border. So far this approach has lead to an estimated 11 Million illegal immigrants. It stands to reason that expanding the punitive approach will merely increase the 11 million to a higher figure while also driving up US enforcement costs as well.
Talking tough and proposing a "crackdown" on illegal immigrants sounds good, but it would adversely affect the US labor pool, cost billions of dollars to enforce, and while forcing millions of potential new tax payers and contributors to the US economy into the black market. The numbers of illegals would likely increase as well.
The infusion of talent, energy, drive, and ambition that comes with US immigrants is the life blood of the US, and it is what has made us a great nation. Draconian policies involving closed doors, deportations, etc. will only set us back as a nation. Also, these policies are not a solution, for if they were, the 1996 law would have reduced the number of illegal immigrants in the US.
I just wish the Republican faithful had a better grasp on reality, so that its leadership would be more realistic and less ideological, bombastic, angry, and ineffective.
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