Thread: AZ: Combination of solutions needed to stem the tide of ille

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Combination of solutions needed to stem the tide of illegal border crossers
May. 18, 2008 12:00 AM

In 2007, there were 359 kidnappings in Phoenix. Our city is on its way to becoming the kidnapping capitol of the country. Every one of those 359 kidnappings involved illegal immigrants.

Even worse, last year, illegals shot two Phoenix police officers, killing one. A nation without secure borders is not a nation. America's porous borders threaten our national security and allow dangerous criminals into our communities. This is wreaking havoc on our society and straining our country's judicial, health care, education and welfare systems. Something must be done.

Illegal immigration is a complex issue. There is no single solution. Unfortunately, extremists dominate the debate. One extreme insists on amnesty and citizenship, the other demands mass deportation. It is neither practical nor possible to arrest and deport every illegal we have allowed in.

Furthermore, agriculture and other low-skill industries rely on these workers. At the same time, I do not support amnesty or pushing those here illegally toward citizenship. Every "comprehensive" immigration bill has not only had a path to citizenship, it has moved illegals down that path. For that reason, I have fought each one. The overwhelming majority of illegals don't want citizenship.

One important part, but only one part, of the solution is a temporary-worker program. First, we must secure our borders. Next, we must ensure those here illegally cannot find work. And we should implement an effective temporary-worker program. These actions will encourage illegals to return home. Some may re-enter the country legally if they qualify.

Temporary-worker programs have been successful in the past. During the 1950s and '60s, under the Bracero temporary-worker program, the number of illegals dropped from more than 1 million annually to just a few hundred. After Bracero was abolished, illegal crossings again spiked to more than 1 million.

Today, illegals enter with no background check, no identification and no monitoring. With a functioning temporary-worker program, we will know who is here and the Border Patrol can focus on tracking and capturing those who continue to enter illegally: criminals, drug traffickers and terrorists.

Congress has chosen to shun this volatile issue because it is an election year. We should demand better leadership. Arizona's attempts to address this problem realistically will send a clear message to politicians in Washington: "If you aren't willing to look for solutions, we will."



John Shadegg, a Republican, represents Arizona's 3rd Congressional District.

www.azcentral.com

Unfortunately, extremists dominate the debate. One extreme insists on amnesty and citizenship, the other demands mass deportation. It is neither practical nor possible to arrest and deport every illegal we have allowed in.

No mention of attrition through enforcement.

No mention of attrition through enforcement.

Seems to work pretty darn good in my opinion