Thread: Illegal immigration: If Powell can’t call it, nobody can

Illegal immigration: If Colin Powell can’t call it, nobody can

by Anthony Asadullah Samad

The debate around immigration is about to crank up. Starting with the revival of the DREAM Act, which allows children of immigrants brought to the United States and raised in the public school systems to qualify for higher education financial aid as a path to citizenship. It’s a good way to stick your toe in the water on this issue, but it really doesn’t get at the crux of the illegal immigration debate.

The real issue here is what to do with those who keep coming, and coming and coming. Everyone understands the magnitude of the problem and the debate around the residual negative impact that illegal residents have on government services. The counter debate is the residual positive impact illegal immigrant workers have on the economy.

Immigration reform activists are now taking their shot at the Obama administration around what kind of reform the administration should advance. The Republicans, of course, have taken an anti-immigrant stance that threatens an even greater backlash than the perceived “do--nothingâ€

These activists are so concerned with the welfare of law breaking illegal aliens. What about the welfare of the receiving countries?