http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... -1/ZONES04
March 6, 2007


Indiana cannot absorb more immigrants
March 6, 2007


Gov. Daniels recently sent Indiana National Guard troops as part of President Bush's plan to secure our Southern border. A large majority of Americans wanted our borders secured years ago and it's finally taking place. With more than 80 percent of illegal drugs and about 50 percent of illegal immigrants pouring across the border, I often wondered what would it take to stop this illegal invasion?
As the number of illegal immigrants begins to dwindle, the calls for a guest-worker program begin to grow louder especially since the presidential election draws nearer. What I would like to know from any politician is, how many immigrants are you going to allow into America with this guest-worker program and when will we have enough?
According to the 2005 yearbook of immigration statistics, America took in 1.1 million legal immigrants in 2005. What most Americans won't hear from our politicians is that we have a temporary worker program already in place and it doesn't work. Fifty percent of our illegal immigrant problem comes from immigrants legally allowed in our country who overstay their visas. With many categories of temporary work visas, we have an additional 2 million people added to America yearly.
It's estimated by the border patrol that for every one illegal immigrant they catch, three will get past them, and with 1.29 million illegal immigrants apprehended in 2005 that would mean 3.87 million or so entered America illegally. With more than 5 million legal and illegal immigrants entering America yearly, I wonder how long we can absorb that many people without major problems. Part of what Daniels has done will help, but what Indiana needs is to enforce our immigration laws on the state level.
Greg Serbon
State Director, Indiana Federation for Immigration Reform and Enforcement
Valparaiso