Bunker Mulligan "Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." ~Mark Twain

I received a letter from Congressman Tom Tancredo this week in response to one I sent him after President Bush made comments about wanting some kind of guest worker program instituted. I trust Tom more than anyone else in Congress on this issue. I’ve scanned the letter and made it available here if you care to read it.

I also wanted to share Francis Porretto’s essay on illegal immigration.

I concur with both in many ways, and wanted to add my own thoughts to theirs.

I didn’t realize that we allowed almost a million legal immigrants into the US each year. I have to wonder who they are, as I’ve know of several well-educated foreigners who have not been able to get into the US, and spend months and years navigating the bureaucratic maze. Yet we have thousands trying desperately to get here by whatever means possible.

Living in south Texas, I hear about many illegals most of the country is never aware of. It is really heart-wrenching. The dangers these folks are willing to risk, and hardships they endure to get here illuminate the economic and social squalor that is Mexico. We are the relief valve for the economic elite in that country. Without the allure of the border, the entire social structure of Mexico would collapse. And so would the political structure.

Americans don’t see it. Most Americans who visit Mexico see Cancun and Cozumel. They don’t see the slums and deprivation of people living on nothing.

Our Curmudgeon sees three conditions which any immigrant must agree to before being allowed into the US:

? Do you speak English?
? Is there an American firm that will guarantee your employment for a minimum of two years, unforeseeable developments notwithstanding?
? Are you willing to waive all right to government-provided social services for a period of two years?

I see nothing wrong with any of these, and the first two are requirements in many other countries (language is a basic requirement in most countries). I had friends trying to emmigrate to Australia, and that country requires an income minimum for a job you will fill, as well as a sponsor.

I would amend this list, and some of our laws, to ever better define requirements.

? Unless at least one parent is an American citizen, no child born in the US gets automatic citizenship. This is an issue here in Texas. Women in Mexico about to give birth have an ambulance carry them across the border to an American hospital so their child will be a citizen. Our border guards are admonished to allow ambulances across because medical treatment here is far superior to that in Mexico.

? Every immigrant must immediately apply for citizenship, and continue to progress in attaining naturalization. This must be completed within six years. No dual citizenship allowed.

? No visas for more than six years. Student visas are good for only four years, and are not renewable.

? The border with Mexico must be patrolled by military forces. The problem has gone far beyond campesinos looking for work. We need to secure our southern border in the same way Mexico secures theirs. If only they would be as diligent on their northern border.

It won’t be an easy task. Politicians don’t do things that are difficult. And “anti-discrimination” forces are extremely vocal. Tancredo is cut from different cloth. He cites a quote from the US Commission on Immigration Reform, which was chaired by Barbara Jordon:

?As a nation with a long history of immigration and commitment to the rule of law, this country must set limits on who can enter and then credibly enforce our immigration law.”

“The Commission decries hostility and discrimination against immigrants as antithetical to the traditions and interests of the country. At the same time, we disagree with those who would label efforts to control immigration as being inherently anti-immigrant. Rather, it is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest.?

This isn’t a race issue, although many try to imply it is. It is a sovereignty issue. I don’t want the UN running our country, and I don’t want open borders. If we were to open them wide, the rest of world would empty quickly.

Both men have, what I think, are excellent ideas. Tom is in a position to do something about the problem. But he needs support. He thanked me for writing, and responded even though I am not one of his constituents. He needs others in Congress to join him. My representative is one who welcomes illegal immigration, so I can’t be of help. Perhaps some of you can.