President Sends Right Message on Border Security
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.asp ... 6afadcc849
President Sends Right Message on Border Security
By Bobby Eberle, 10/26/2005 11:04:20 PM
Perhaps sensing the overall frustration of conservatives on a number of issues or perhaps “seeing the light� on the need to seriously address the security problem along our nation’s borders rather than playing racial politics, President Bush has stepped up his rhetoric recently regarding illegal immigration and border security. While many will be skeptical as to whether any new measures will actually be enacted or enforced, the fact remains that presidential leadership on this issue is vital, and the president’s new focus can only be seen as a good thing.
In his weekly radio address, the president highlighted the signing of the recent homeland security appropriations bill and emphasized the need for border security.
“When our borders are not secure, terrorists, drug dealers, and criminals find it easier to sneak into America,� the president said. “My administration has a clear strategy for dealing with this problem: We want to stop people from crossing into America illegally, and to quickly return the illegal immigrants we catch back to their home countries.�
The president recited a number of initiatives and programs that have been implemented over the last several years, including some generic “accomplishments� such as adding manpower and upgrading technology.
The argument has never been that such efforts were not being undertaken, but rather the priority given to border security was much less than should have been expected. Yes, manpower has been added, but at a much lower level than spelled out in last year’s homeland security bill. Lip service, rather than substantive action, was being placed on the security side of the immigration debate, while the priority of the administration always seemed to fall on the dealing with the illegal immigrants already in the country.
Now, the president is focusing on the real problem, and by drawing attention to the security issue, other legislators will hopefully join in.
“Too many illegal immigrants are coming in, and we’re capturing many more non-Mexican illegal immigrants than we can send home,� President Bush noted. “And one of the biggest reasons we cannot send them back is that we lack space in our detention facilities to hold them until they are removed. When there’s no bed available, non-Mexicans who are caught entering our country illegally are given a slip that tells them to come back for a court appearance. Most never show up. And then they disappear back into the shadows of our communities. This is called ‘catch-and-release,’ and it is unacceptable.�
In addressing illegal immigration from Mexico, President Bush noted that most of the 900,000 illegal immigrants from Mexico who are caught each year “are immediately escorted back across the border.�
“The problem is that these illegal immigrants are able to connect with another smuggler or coyote and come right back in,� Bush explained. “So one part of the solution is a program called “interior repatriation� where we fly or bus these illegal immigrants all the way back to their hometowns in the interior of Mexico. By returning illegal Mexican immigrants to their homes, far away from desert crossings, we’re saving lives and making it more difficult for them to turn right around and cross back into America.�
In a recent press conference following the signing of the homeland security appropriations bill, President Bush sounded an even stronger note by saying that America must enforce its borders. “When our borders are not secure, terrorists and drug dealers and criminals find it easier to come to America,� the president said.
“We’re going to get control of our borders,â€? Bush said. “Our goal is clear â€â€
