http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=3568

BORDER CONTROL NEEDED MOST FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
Author: Jeff Crouere |
3/24/2005 Home : Politics

President Bush met yesterday with Mexican President Vicente Fox and the two talked about strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico. However, the real problem that exists between the two countries involves immigration. The U.S./Mexican border is still not secure, three plus years after the 9/11 tragedy.

Some attempts have been made to add border agents, but in reality, only minor steps have been made in the face of some major problems. The problem is that President Bush is telling President Fox of Mexico that he will act on his “guest worker� plan for illegal aliens. Again yesterday, Bush vowed to pursue a policy that would grant illegal aliens temporary three-year visas that could be renewed. For the record, no matter how Bush phrases it, this plan is amnesty. The trouble for Bush is that Republicans in Congress are listening to their constituents back home and telling President Bush to improve border security and to send illegal aliens back to Mexico, not hire them.

Some business owners will say that illegal aliens perform jobs that Americans will not. However, that does not justify allowing illegal behavior. We need to follow the laws and the wishes of the American people. In poll and after poll, Americans have stated their desire for immigration control, enhanced border security and no amnesty for illegal aliens. However, the problem keeps growing. Right now, there are at least 10 million illegal aliens in the U.S., according to the Pew Hispanic Center. These individuals comprise 5% of the U.S. workforce, with almost 500,000 being added each year.

These numbers are alarming. A guest worker program will only encourage more Mexicans to come to the U.S. illegally. However, improved border security with more agents and security fences along the border and a new U.S. commitment to enforce our immigration laws with make an impact, if only U.S. had the will to act. What the U.S. needs is for President Bush to listen to the American people instead of to President Fox.


Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and his Louisiana based program, Ringside Politics, airs at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV, Channel 32. Visit his website at www.ringsidepolitics.com and e-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.