Let's tailor immigration to our needs
Originally posted on December 04, 2007

To appreciate the backlash towards illegal aliens you must realize that when mass immigration took place in the 1900s there were no entitlement programs like Social Security (SS) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). People came here for a new life. This became their home and they helped build the infrastructure required to support them and future immigrants. Most assimilated into American society and gave their allegiance to America. Practice of their customs was done in the privacy of their homes.

They didn't send money "HOME." When a family member died they were buried here. Many illegal aliens send money "HOME" and take the deceased back "HOME." Example, the plane crash in Brooklyn, just after 9/11, bound for the Dominican Republic. Surviving families insisted on taking the bodies "HOME" and the right to return. Both survivors and the deceased were illegal aliens. I would have suggested an escort to the airport and a one-way ticket "HOME." American citizens breaking the law are prosecuted. Why not illegal aliens?

One chant during the march last year by illegal aliens was demanding civil rights. Civil rights are for American citizens. All illegal aliens are entitled to is human rights. Until 1986 America had never given a large group of aliens amnesty. We gave 3 million illegal aliens an opportunity to become citizens. That number grew to 6 million when their extended families were allowed to migrate. It's impossible to determine how many of the original, or extended family members, received SS or SSI. Isn't it logical that 12 to 20 million illegal aliens here now would grow to 24 and 40 million respectively? Won't this reinforce the precedent of giving amnesty to future hordes of illegal aliens? Is there really that number of "jobs Americans don't want?" Isn't it obvious to illegal aliens that they can slip into America and eventually receive amnesty?

How dare any country criticize us for securing our borders in any way we want? One cannot cross Mexico's southern border without a visa or papers. Mexico benefits from the American dollars sent "HOME." I have seen, on the nightly news, an official Mexican document with instructions how to cross the border illegally. The rule that babies born here are automatically American citizens was intended for people going through the lengthy process of becoming a citizen. It was purposely slow to enable building the supporting infrastructure. Illegal aliens that cross the border just in time to give birth should be gently escorted back to the border after receiving free services.

If amnesty somehow materializes, shouldn't they go to the end of the line behind those already in the process? Will they have access to SS and SSI programs while they wait? When my parents came to this country someone had to sponsor and support them if they were in need. Giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens is asinine. Have we reached the new MO of Hollywood that crime pays as depicted in current movies? Should driver manuals and road signs be printed in multiple languages? One's credit score affects auto insurance rates. Since illegal aliens will have terrible credit scores, their insurance would be expensive and not acquired by many. This might cause feeding frenzies by lawyers claiming "illegal alien discrimination."

Has anyone noticed illegal aliens add to our overcrowded schools and school meal programs? That hospitals are over-crowded with illegal aliens and emergency rooms full of families using emergency rooms for normal medical checkups and procedures? Thus increasing the costs to paying Americans.

The original mass influx of immigrants in the 1900s was needed, and welcomed, to help build a growing America. People from all over the world, with various skills, were given access to America. Just like a new company hires masses to produce, market, and deliver its new products. America is still growing however in technical ways and products. We don't need just laborers for that; we need skills using technology. It's time to renovate the immigration process and allow people from all over the world to come here again. People with different skills but controlled by quotas as was previously done. The quotas mustn't be determined by pandering. Quotas must not hurt employment here. Finally, the quotas must be supportable by existing infrastructures.

With the bad about America that is reported nightly or written and portrayed by movie and TV media, half the world would still come here if they could. To determine the limits simply look at our infrastructure and services. If overloaded then immigration must be reduced. The world will have to wait their turn and until we are ready.

— John Piccolo is a retired consulting system engineer who lives in Estero.
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