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OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 7/30/10

A LITTLE COMMON SENSE IN THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION

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The illegal immigrant controversy in the state of Arizona involving a law which, in reality, only reaffirms the state's commitment to uphold laws already on its book, has at the same time drawn much ire and much admiration. Derided as an attempt to legalize discrimination and generate hatred, in reality, this law is an attempt by the duly elected officials and the citizens of an American state to demand of its federal government not selective enforcement of laws, to include immigration laws, but to take responsibility for honoring its constitutional obligation to ensure this country's safety from within and from external threats.


As commendable an action this is, moderation and consideration are desperately called for from all sides. It is often said that the truth lies between opposing extremes, and it is so in this case, as well. It seems that no one is capable or willing to look for a compromise, but the truth is that passions should be channeled into a more productive and beneficial direction.


Undeniably, many thousands of immigrants find ways to slip across the border from Mexico to the United States. The reason makes sense. Consider, if you lived in an area overrun by drug cartels, assassinations occurring weekly, you would look for someplace safer to live. It happens every day in America, where people move from the cities to the safer suburbs. How can we look down on immigrants looking for a safer place for their children to grow? Admit it; to do so is hypocritical. America was founded in part as a place of refuge for the sick, weary, and afraid. America is a country where so many have been allowed to start anew. This is America's heritage.


If we resided in an American state where the economy was experiencing a downturn, we would look for other options, other areas to reside where the economy is booming, or at least performing better. We spend a lot of money going to school in hopes of a better income in an occupation that appeals to us. Just as we would not deny this for ourselves, how do we deny it to others? Immigrants see an opportunity in America to live so much better and provide so much for their children. If the roles were reversed, I promise I would do the same.


In come the immigrants! Ready, willing, and able to work any job, for any and every bit of hours possible! And they do a good job at it, too! So let's kick them out of this country... and resign ourselves to either working these same jobs ourselves, or close all the fast food restaurant, all the steakhouses! Let's learn to mow our lawns and trim the hedges ourselves! And build the houses ourselves, because construction isn't that bad an occupation, is it?


Now for a dose of common sense. We don't want to do those jobs ourselves; let's be honest. And the ones that do want to undertake these occupations are excited and willing! They gather in parking lots and on street corners not begging for money, but for work! So, we give them a chance. A comprehensive national resident worker program must be developed and implemented immediately, where these same immigrants that already reside here are officially welcomed into this country, the doors are opened to work and save and build for a real future. They are required to register for and maintain valid state or federal identification credentials. They are allowed to work for five years and pay the same required taxes as American citizens. They cannot be convicted of a felony (indictment is not enough), lest they be immediately deported. (It should not be a surprise to anyone that relatively few immigrants will be deported under this requirement. While there are those prone to trouble, the vast majority of immigrants desire with all of their heart to begin anew and give a good life to their family. It might even be appropriate to state that the immigrant holds more love for this country than do its native-born citizens!)


The resident immigrant is required to learn enough of the America's native language, English, both spoken and written to an agreed-upon level of literacy.


If the resident immigrant satisfies all requirements and they have a desire to remain in America, an immediate process is started to grant them citizenship at the end of their temporary residency.


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Steve Bass is a journalist and scientist with a variety of training and experience in such fields as investigations, emergency management,disaster relief operations, and personal protection, as well as search and rescue and counterdrug operations. (more...)
 
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