Thread: Des Moines Editorial: What About the Anchor Babies?

What about the children? What about illegal immigrants' children?


December 24, 2006
14 Comments



Families and community leaders rushed this month to find care for youngsters after immigration authorities detained parents in raids at meatpacking plants in six states.

But questions about the children and their futures are larger than what will happen to the families torn apart in Marshalltown and other places. The bigger issue: How will the United States deal with the reality that nearly 5 million children live with parents who are illegal immigrants?

We've heard from many frustrated readers in recent days who insist anyone who came to this country illegally should be rounded up and deported immediately and that enforcement should be air-tight from here on out. We've also heard from readers sympathetic to the reasons immigrants come here illegally: to earn a decent living that is out of reach in their home countries.

We can all agree on this much: Immigration is a complex issue. Addressing it will involve tighter border security and, we would argue, three other key elements: a guest-worker program; higher, more realistic levels for permanent immigration; and a path to citizenship for people already here who are without documentation but otherwise have clean records.

Congress must tackle comprehensive immigration reform when it reconvenes in January, but making immigration work will be a long-haul process. So let's try to get our arms around a piece of it - the children.

Here not by their choice

Why focus on children?

Critics of illegal immigrants often say they made a choice to break the law. But their kids had no choice. Some made the journey in their mother's arms.

Yes, they could be sent back to the country where they or their parents were born. But they can't in any meaningful sense be sent "home." The only home they know is the United States.

About 1.8 million children are here illegally, according to a report by the Pew Hispanic Center. Other children of illegal immigrants, about 3.1 million, were born here and are U.S. citizens.

The Register's editorial page plans to examine the needs of the children, what government services they should get and at what cost, and what should be done to prepare them to be productive, engaged participants in American society. We'll also ask readers for their thoughts and incorporate them into coverage.

High hurdles remain

The children confront numerous barriers - including access to adequate food, education and health care, as well as the burden of keeping the secret that they or family members are here illegally. Obstacles are especially daunting for children without documentation.

One of the biggest is lack of access to higher education. Children can attend school through grade 12 regardless of status, but in most states, including Iowa, the door to higher education is slammed shut for most who are here illegally.

Children without documentation cannot obtain federal financial aid, even if they graduate at the top of their high school class. They typically must pay out-of-state tuition, even if they have lived in a state most of their lives, often making state universities unaffordable. Federal legislation to address this, the Dream Act, would help many youngsters who have lived in the country at least five years. But it has stalled in Congress.

Shaping nation's future

Someday the children of illegal immigrants could help offset the shortage expected in the U.S. labor force as the baby-boom generation retires. They could help Iowa and this country compete in the global economy. Or, they could be relegated to the ranks of low-wage workers. They can fully contribute their talents to their communities, or remain marginalized.

When they grow up, they will live in towns and cities all across the United States. Already many immigrants have left states where they first migrated, such as Texas and California, for states like North Carolina and Iowa.

Now, too often, their children are barely acknowledged. The children's contributions to America's future will be shaped by whether they are welcomed or left in the shadows.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... 6/-1/ENT03

They are their parents responsibility! Send them with the parents, their legal guardians. They made them, they are responsible for their welfare, food, clothing and education not the American tax payer.

Tell them the same thing the federal government would tell me about my children... they are not responsible for them. The anchor babies are not my problem.

Dixie

I've got an idea for the anchor babies:

#1 If the anchor baby is over 18, parents are deported.

#2 If the anchor baby is too young to be enrolled in kindergarten (what is the age 5?), parents and baby are deported. Anchor baby can return later.

#3 If kids are in school, parents and immediate family (sisters and brothers only) can stay until kid is 18 then they all get deported.

14th amendment is changed immediately to state that in order to qualify for US citizenship, both parents must be US citizens. That way none of the families in situation #3 can keep birthing to stay here.

And, going forward, regardless of whatever else happens, we must have a law that states that parents must be citizens for the children to be born citizens. Otherwise, any visitor, illegal, guest worker, whoever, will still get automatic citizrenship for their children.

We can all agree on this much: Immigration is a complex issue.

I'm pretty sure we don't even agree on that much Sparky! Illegal immigration isn't complex in the least or even close to it. Secure the border, enforce employment law with regards to illegal immigration, cut off all cash flow except true emergencies and deport and or jail every illegal who is either detained or arrested. Legal immigration may have some exceptions but it also not really complex. With you folks EVERYTHING is an exception or a crisis or a human tragedy or whatever other hyperbole you can come up with.

Originally Posted by Dixie

They are their parents responsibility! Send them with the parents, their legal guardians. They made them, they are responsible for their welfare, food, clothing and education not the American tax payer.

That's exactly the way I see it.