Thread: Don't repeat immigration debate mistakes S.D.U.T.

San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial

Here we go again

Don't repeat immigration debate mistakes

2:00 a.m. July 16, 2009

Now that Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has disclosed his plans to introduce an immigration reform bill by Labor Day, Americans should brace for a return to a spirited debate. This being the case, we would like to see the discussion go in a different direction than it did last time, when for the most part it either went in circles or down dead-end roads.

When Congress last discussed immigration reform, in the fall of 2007, too many lawmakers and ordinary Americans had an all-or-nothing mentality, with neither side in a mood to compromise. Both sides wasted far too much time putting themselves on pedestals, challenging the motives of opponents and lobbing insults. Those on the right were called “racist,â€

Our goals should include better enforcement, guest workers and legalization, and add a tamper-proof ID card for all workers, a plan to clear the immigration backlog so that more people can come legally, and new employer sanctions that the federal government actually enforces for a change.

Uh, excuse me, but immigration says they have cleared up the backlog, and anyone who is in this country illegally should not be put ahead of people who are still waiting outside this country.

No amnesty! And we want enforcement. With DHS gutting our enforcement, it doesn't look like this administration is serious about anything other than amnesty, pure and simple.