Amnesty is rearing its ugly head again
Saturday, June 5, 2010

Amnesty was awarded to illegal immigrants in 1986 with the solemn promise that the borders would be closed to further invasion from the south. Twenty-four years later, the southern border is more porous than ever. It's a highway for (1) the smuggling of illegal drugs to feed the insatiable appetite in this country, and (2) illegal immigrants, which now number in excess of 10 million, perhaps as high as 20 million.

More than 15 million U.S. citizens are unemployed, many to receive up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits on money borrowed from our children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, illegal immigrants working for unscrupulous employers are sending, by one estimate, in excess of $20 billion south of the border each year -- all the while evading any tax in this country.

No wonder the president of Mexico felt free recently to insult this country -- particularly the legitimate citizens of Arizona, cheered on by President Obama and the Democrats who occupy seats in the Congress, hoping to motivate the Latino vote this fall.

Mention closing the borders and you are branded a racist. Mention closing the border and you are told we need "comprehensive immigration reform," which Obama parroted in his recent news conference. That is a crock! The American people soundly rejected amnesty in 2007. Their overwhelming support for the Arizona immigration law, which mimics federal law, is evidence they still oppose amnesty.

We simply need to enforce the existing laws! Being in this country illegally is a criminal offense; arrest and deport. Hiring or assisting an illegal alien is a criminal offense; arrest and fine, or imprison.

Paraphrasing Obama's remarks on the oil leak in the gulf: Just build the fence; just close the borders!

Hubert Baker

Aiken, S.C.

http://chronicle.augusta.com