Thread: Immigration debate hasn’t changed in 30 years

Immigration debate hasn’t changed in 30 years

by Don Harris

Published: December 20th, 2009

When Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was back in town last week, she suggested that reform of the nation’s immigration laws will be a priority for President Obama in 2010.

The former Arizona governor was quoted in a local newspaper as saying two-thirds of the public wants immigration fixed, understanding that the U.S. is not going to deport an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. The remaining one-third, she said, don’t want any changes.

It’s an emotionally explosive issue, not only along Arizona’s southern border but for much of the nation. During recent decades, Congress, whether controlled by Republicans or Democrats, has been unable to come up with a satisfactory plan.

Neither party wants to offend the growing Hispanic population in the U.S., particularly those who are here legally and can vote.

A few years ago, U.S. Sen. John McCain supported a plan that would give illegal immigrants a path toward citizenship. It was shelved after the public criticized it as amnesty.

But McCain wasn’t the first U.S. senator from Arizona to offer suggestions and possible solutions. In 1978, Barry Goldwater issued a statement that outlined his views on immigration policy.

Goldwater’s platform for dealing with the thorny issue is reprinted in the 2008 book “Pure Goldwaterâ€

The illegal immigration problem can easily be solved without alot more money spent by the federal government. All you need to do is make it harder for illegals to work, stop talking about amnesty which encourages more to come, and make it illegal to bge a sanctuary city. As for anchor babies the government needs a lesson from Canada. The child is a citizen but gets no government money and the parents are deported with the child until the child is an adult. Once an adult they can come back legally and can sponsor their parents to immigrate legally.