Vacations are wonderful. They provide rest, rejuvenation, and reflection. They also offer a different perspective on life depending upon where you go.
This week we headed South, to Florida, to visit family and friends, and gauge how different life is outside the inner loop, outer loop, and loop-de-loop of the Washington, DC, Beltway world.
Immigration is topic Numero Uno. Nothing appeared in the press about Executive Branch intrigues or infighting. The world here, out in the heart of America, is truly different.
Immigration was reported heavily, as Monday was proclaimed a day of protest by and on behalf of illegal immigrants wishing to pursue their lives in the U.S., avoid being labeled as felons, and assimilate (or not) into American Culture, assuming that exists anymore. Some think it doesn’t, but that’s a topic for another day.
Today we are faced with the immigration issue. Although this is firmly lodged in the political world, and promises to reside there for a bit longer as May 1 demonstrations are planned everywhere and for everyone, the outcome of this public debate will greatly affect many Executive Branch employees at all government levels: national, state, and local.
We know the key debate points. I invite readers to weigh in on the significance and relevance of each, and analyze how they will affect government workers who will implement them. How should the laws and rules be framed in light of administrability? Should the ability of government employees to enforce laws influence how the regulations are formulated? If inadequate thought is given to the “how,” will that doom any hopes for success?
So, what are the issues? In the interest of space and time, I won’t try to catalog all or address each in appropriate detail. I want readers to inject the substantive detail and discussion.
Equity
What’s fair and to whom? It’s easy to feel compassion for those less fortunate, who are willing to risk their lives to cross borders illegally so that they may provide for their families. Yet, what accommodation should be given to those who respect U.S. immigration laws and apply for entry with hopes of citizenship? Geography matters. We know the bulk of illegals are coming across the U.S. - Mexico border. Those in Europe, Africa, or Asia, don’t have such a ‘geographic temptation’ if their patience with the process wears thin or they are stuck in dire economic conditions requiring immediate repair.
How much do these factors affect the discussion? In essence, they merely chronicle reality. Those residing closest to our Southern border have the best opportunity for quick, albeit illegal, access to the American Dream.
Economics
Here’s the rub, we’re told. Many illegals (read: Mexicans, and Central and South Americans) perform jobs that U.S. residents won’t, or so we’re told again. If the estimated 12 million illegals (give or take 5 million) were to disappear tomorrow, what would that mean? Would Americans perform these jobs? Would the jobs disappear? Would the quality of our lives deteriorate?
Minimum wage is mentioned as a factor. If illegal immigrants vanished, or are allowed as guest workers and later as citizens, would that force what many consider to be an inadequate minimum wage to rise to a more “livable” level? Many say that the presence and predominance of illegal immigrants provide pressure to keep the wage low, as these workers can’t complain to Congressmen or local officials about employment mistreatment.
Perhaps this dynamic will be answered on May 1 when all illegal immigrants are to walk off their jobs and leave U.S. citizens to fend for ourselves. This may be a big bust like the Y2K mirage, or a huge wake-up call. And if the latter, will our convenience and lifestyle motivate us to change or slacken laws so others will perform work cheaply that other Americans never will, or so we’re told? We won’t have to wait long before some answers come along.
Environment (Reality)
Much of this debate revolves around philosophy and morality. What’s right? We’ve grown up learning that to whom much is given, much is expected. Much has been given to (and earned by) Americans. Is it our duty to share among all who wish to come to our shores without regard to our Nation’s desire to prescribe desirable immigration levels?
All these theoretical or philosophical discussions miss one major, salient point. The reality is that these 12 million or so are presently in this country, living and working among us, with children attending our schools. In some parts of this nation, new schools are being built and paid for by U.S. citizens in part for immigrant children. It makes moral, economic, and political sense to educate children to ease future cultural and economic burden, but it must be noted that this is one of the many (not so) hidden costs associated with illegal immigration.
Hispanic birthrates are twice those of blacks, which are twice that of whites. Demography matters, too. With this shifting electorate, we know politicians are positioning themselves depending upon whether this changing population will ever go to the voting booths in their districts.
Enforceability
Given this very brief, and incomplete, discussion of factors surrounding immigration, the biggest question is “how” will this condition be addressed? With millions upon millions present among us without legal standing to be here, how can executive branch employees achieve whatever mission is given them regarding enforcement? How should law and regulations be crafted so that taxpayers are confident that the system will be managed properly? With the mere presence of millions of illegal immigrations, can we conclude that either existing laws weren’t enforced effectively or they were tragically flawed from the outset? Did this evolve due to neglect? In any case, our country is very concerned, and it brings to mind the challenge of putting toothpaste back in the tube. I mean no offense, and I’m not calling immigrants spilt toothpaste; however, reality is that these individuals are living with and among us, and they would not be if the law was effectively enforced. How does our government – Executive Branch employees at all levels across the country – deal properly (to be defined) not only with immigrants today but also with administering new laws (to be defined) that effectively prevent further illegal entry?
Please put on your thinking caps. My gut tells me this is very paradoxical, conflicting social policy, and requires both passion and reason to manage and resolve.
What’d’ya think? What’s the way forward?
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YETMO: “You’re Entitled To My Opinion,” A Balanced Point of View
Fred W. Apelquist, III, M.Ed.
Approximately 1, 075 words
© April 16, 2006