Immigration issue will get hotter

ISSUE: Immigration resolution
OUR VIEW: Trucking controversy adds to pressure for action

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/article ... 760849.txt

It's hard to argue with S.C. Congressman Gresham Barrett's logic: The nation has immigration laws on the books that are not being enforced, some because of inadequate funding.

With so-called immigration reform derailed in the Senate, Barrett is going public with a campaign pushing pressure on Republicans and Democrats to put teeth into present law.

On Monday, the GOP lawmaker joined with officials from Greenwood, Saluda, Edgefield and Aiken to announce a proposed Congressional House Resolution that aims to ensure the U.S. immigration and border security laws are being enforced.

"Our country has immigration laws on the books that Congress passed in their attempt to address immigration concerns, however these laws are not being fully funded or fully implemented," Barrett said. "The American people understand that a law means nothing if they are not being implemented. This resolution says -- let's do what we promised the American people we would -- let's prove to them we can secure our border and get a handle on those already in the country illegally before we add more bureaucracy."

Barrett introduced the resolution Monday in Washington. It calls for Congress to verify that current border security laws are being implemented. The resolution will seek to enforce laws such as the one passed to place 18,000 Border Patrol agents on the southern border by 2008. Currently more than 14,000 agents have been trained and positioned. The resolution will also encourage Congress to expedite construction on the 850 miles of fencing where currently only 16 miles of fencing has been placed.

The resolution also seeks to encourage greater cooperation between federal agents, states and localities in enforcing immigration law and to provide local law enforcement with the proper resources and flexibility to prosecute those who are in our country illegally.

"Successful passage of this resolution will help our counties and municipalities. First, enforcement of existing immigration laws will reduce the burden of providing services to the growing population of illegal aliens. Second, greater cooperation with local law enforcement will assist in the internal enforcement of our immigration laws," said Councilman Gary Bunker, representing the Aiken County Council District 7. "Fully funding programs such as 287 G and providing cost-sharing assistance will be a needed boost to our local efforts."

Barrett's resolution comes on the heels of the latest border controversy over Mexican truckers, which are now allowed largely unrestricted access to U.S. roads and highways as an extension of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Critics contend the trucks will be yet another vehicle for illegal immigrants -- and also argue the vehicles have no business on or roads without having to meet the same safety standards as U.S. rigs.

The trucking controversy further has politicians questioning the wisdom of NAFTA, which the likes of U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings argued would lead to problems from immigration to economics. NAFTA has been no boon to the U.S. consumer.

Amid the increasing anger over immigration issues and the countdown to presidential primaries in coming months, look for Barrett's largely political resolution to gain support. Whether reform in the law is needed is debatable, but there is no question that lack of enforcement of laws renders them useless.