Immigration bill rests on poor logic

By: A. Keith Barnes - Commentary
NORTH COUNTY TIMES
MAY 27, 2007

The passion is evident, and so is the political subterfuge, but where is the logic?

The current debates in Congress over much-needed revisions to our immigration policy are filled with obvious political pandering, and with simpering and emotional pleas, but there is little economic or practical rationality in evidence. I have only sufficient space here to address a couple of the most distressing examples, but the whole process is destined to produce abysmal outcomes, I believe.

The most banal arguments include those surrounding the seemingly humanistic desire to ensure family "unity." Now I'm as much of a family man as anyone, but when I chose to migrate (legally) to this country two decades ago, and to become a naturalized citizen, I did so on my own behalf, not to make it easier for my grandparents, parents or my siblings and cousins to come and join me. They should apply, if they wish, on exactly the same basis I did, with no preference. If family unity were my primary concern I would have stayed overseas with them! I can see making provisions for spouses and underage children, but beyond that the arguments are just plain silly. And making this a matter of high priority (as argued by Sens. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Barack Obama of Illinois), instead of our needs as a nation, just reeks of pandering.


But let's just take a look at the inane notion that we can somehow entice undocumented aliens out of the "shadows" to apply for legal status (with the requirement that they pay fines and return voluntarily and temporarily to their homeland), and that we can then efficiently process these applications. It is said that there are 15 million undocumented persons here. OK, so let's assume that a mere 10 million of these actually do come forward (what happens to those who do not is of huge significance, for obvious reasons). Can you picture an already burdened and inefficient bureaucracy processing 10 million files (along with the current flow of regular and legal applicants)? Not a pretty sight.

But assume that one person can process 200 files per year (I'd be amazed if this happens, based on how long it took to process my application, but let's be charitable and optimistic). This would mean that it would take 50,000 man-years to process everyone! So take your pick: Add 50,000 sufficiently well-trained people to the government payrolls, and get the job done in a year. Ha! Or add 5,000 people and speed through this challenging pile of files (many of which would contain counterfeit and incomplete documents, language problems, etc.) in just a decade! Ha, again!

No, not really funny, but have any of our "distinguished" representatives given this issue serious consideration? I doubt it. And if they haven't, why hasn't the fifth estate fulfilled their responsibility on this? The media aren't objectively reporting on these and many other related matters, and in the feeble coverage that does exist, there is no thorough analysis. (Exceptions here and there duly noted and applauded.)

Bonsall resident Dr. A. Keith Barnes, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of business at the University of Redlands who emigrated from Canada.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05 ... 125100.txt

Comments On This Story

foursquare wrote on May 28, 2007 1:43 AM: " The cynicism of the writer leads him astray into sarcasm about the proposed immigration bill in the U. S. Congress. Others join him because misleading comments on this subject issue from the President himself: Americans won't (or don't) do the jobs that illegal aliens now do. Yes, Americans will do these jobs. First, however, the U. S. Congress and the President working together must mandate that all employers immediately verify the right to work of all employees and job applicants. Illegal aliens have no right to work here. Without a job, the illegal aliens would tend to self-deport (at the own expense) -- no national roundup needed. Without the prospect of a job, the foreign nationals would tend not to migrate illegally to America -- no expensive U. S.-Mexico border fence needed. Every other modern country, including Mexico, controls who lives and works in the country. America must follow suit. Without illegal aliens available to employers, the economic axiom of supply and demand would force employers to offer higher pay, improved benefits, and better working conditions to attract citizens to do the jobs that illegal aliens now do. Jobs would open for citizens. The burden on local, state, and federal budgets from the presence of illegal aliens would ease. Or part of these budget savings could go to meet the needs of citizens. The number of criminal illegal aliens would decline. America already has enough criminals. Yet, because the authorities did not enforce the law prohibiting employers from hiring illegal aliens, the previous amnesty did not stop the foreign nationals by the millions from invading this country. Jobs attract foreign nationals to America. End this job attraction, and the multiple problems associated with illegal aliens will steadily resolve themselves. America can get along fine without illegal aliens, and will prosper all the more. "

Blasphemy wrote on May 28, 2007 3:27 AM: " Dr. Barnes, you waste sound logic in such an insignificant forum. I would pay money to see you present this in a nation-wide debate! That and a few other reality-based regional issues are never allowed to be discussed. All undocumented are just wonderful culturally superior beings who come here for nothing more than to provide salvation for the US by picking our fruits and veggies. If you believe differently you are a racist, KKK, Nazi, bigotted hater. Your commentary is spot-on...too bad so few of us will read it. "

Skip wrote on May 28, 2007 7:34 AM: " This is an excellent commentary but it did not get too much attention yesterday, because of the wonderfully emotionally charged commentary by one of our own Marie Waldron. Also for those people who only went to public schools it was kind of difficult to read. "

American woman wrote on May 28, 2007 10:11 AM: " Let's hear it for Dr. Barnes! A voice of reason, wafting out over the local, apathetic, do-nothing [yawn] SoCal population! Well, all you can do is try, doctor! Oh, that we could draft about half a million Dr. Barnes! God bless you for your sensible, very intelligent overview! Wake up, America! We are losing this country! "

Jorge wrote on May 28, 2007 10:17 AM: " Foursquare's heart is in the right place, but a weekend at the border would clear things perceptibly! We could all chime-in together and say, "Why didn't WE think of that," but we HAVE thought of it, and it's like the Doc says..... "

Yes wrote on May 28, 2007 10:50 AM: " This letter is right on. I just wish our politicians and the media would take the time to speak and write as thoughtfully as Dr. Barnes. "

El Guero wrote on May 28, 2007 11:06 AM: " What a refreshing perspective from a distinguished educator, and a naturalized immigrant no less! The editors of the North County Times could learn much from Dr. Barnes about honesty and logic on the topic of immigration reform, if only their totalitarian mindsets would let them. But that's too much to expect. At least to their credit they published this contrarian viewpoint. Dr. Barnes calculates how much time and effort would be spent processing 10 million illegal immigrants under the Senate's amnesty proposal. Of course Ted Kennedy and Arlen Specter don't trouble themselves about such details. But they will protest the immorality and costliness of deporting 12 million people and their families. It's like what Mark Krikorian said in his essay that appeared in the other paper yesterday: When the stupid party (R) and the evil party (D) agree to do something stupid AND evil it's called 'bipartisanship.' "

Gary in Murrieta wrote on May 28, 2007 11:13 AM: " Once the applications are being taken, the government has only 24 hours to do a complete background check and then it is done, forever. The applications will come, as every Hispanic activists’ group, Hispanic radio and television station, socialists and communists groups, and even our own catholic churches guide illegal Aliens by the millions on the process to get quick and cheap legal permanent residence forever. People by the millions all over the world are packing their bags as I write this. Look out China and India, we may be only number three on the most populated list, but we will be moving up soon. "

S.1348 wrote on May 28, 2007 3:33 PM: " Upon passage of S.1348 into law, every illegal alien in the United States can request "Probationary Z-Visa" status. (i.e., legalization) EVERY ALIEN, EVERY WORKER, EVERY SPOUSE, EVERY GANG MEMBER, EVERY FELON, EVERY TERRORIST, EVERY SUNNI RADICAL, EVERY SHI`ITE RADICAL, EVERY ONE ! "

THE BACKGROUND CHECK wrote on May 28, 2007 3:34 PM: " TITLE VI Section 601 (h) (2) : No probationary benefits shall be issued to an Alien until the alien has passed all appropriate background checks …………………………………… OR THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY, WHICHEVER IS SOONER " "

Yes you read that right! wrote on May 28, 2007 3:34 PM: " The Federal Bureaucracy has just 24 hours to investigate and reject the request. Otherwise legal Status is automatically granted. "

Skip wrote on May 28, 2007 3:35 PM: " Aliens in a "PZV Status", are immune from deportation. They can travel freely and not be detained by Immigration Authorities. This bill was drafted in private meetings closed to the public. It was sent to the senate floor without public hearings. This is just the tip of the iceberg. S.1348 has been described as a National Security Disasterâ€