The Sage Observer

Immigration Reform

          Almost constantly discussed in the media of late is the subject of immigration reform, a subject of which, among many other subjects, I am woefully ignorant. Almost every time, a discussion of immigration reform arises, sooner or later, someone will question border security which puzzles me to no end. Just what is meant by border security? Really! What are they talking about? I wish someone would tell me so that I may understand. I’m not sure I know. In my view, we have excellent border security between the United States and Mexico—certainly much better than we have between us and Canada or on either of our two coast lines. In fact, I submit to you that, with all its inadequacies, our border security is better now than any time in our nation’s history. What are these people talking about?

Does border security mean that we don’t permit anyone to cross our border anywhere or anytime along its vast stretch without our permission, apprehending, arresting and incarcerating everyone who does each and every time? Using our border with Mexico as an example (It seems to be the one most frequently discussed), where does our enforcement of border security begin? As these immigrants come to our border, at what point do we stop them? When they are still on the other side of the Rio Grande River, before they cross, do we stop them there? And just how do we do that? Maybe we should stand on our side of the river and shoot them. We could go out into the Rio Grande and drown them as they are crossing. We could throw rocks at them, driving them back. Of course, these approaches might be considered a declaration of war with Mexico, which certainly wouldn’t have been a problem with President Polk back in 1846.

 On the other hand, let’s pretend they get to our side of the river and we catch or stop—even incarcerate or, again, shoot—them. Is that border security? Do we have border security then? At what point do we have border security? Are these people even allowed to knock on our door and say, “Please, may we come in?” After all, that’s what these children from Central America are doing. If our illustrious media is telling it like it is, that’s how I read this present crisis. How can someone knocking on our door and saying, “Please”, indicate a lack of border security in any way? It is reported. These people cross the river and turn themselves in to authorities. Help me. I’m confused. I’m sure you will have an answer Mr. Cruz.

That a group of immigrants sneak across the border and infiltrates into our country unbeknownst to us, without a doubt reflects error or weakness of some kind on the part of our security—in that or those instance(s), something went amiss; but, especially in light of the fact we already spend billions of dollars every year on border security, does it mean we don’t have border security? Only Jesus is perfect, so at what point are we willing to accept the adequacy and degree of perfection of our system. For that matter, maybe our system is already as perfect as one can reasonably expect technically. Perhaps the problem is that our system(s) is underfunded relative to our expectations. Perhaps it is understaffed. Perhaps it is not managed efficiently (as is the case with our Veterans Administration). I think we have the system. The problem lies somewhere else—most probably politics. I suspect that somewhere behind the scenes certain people don’t want the system to work—not for now anyway. President Obama has asked for $3.7 billion to help finance the resolution of the present refugee crisis on our border with Mexico as well as shore up other financial needs with our immigration service. As is true with anything, if we want product or service, we must pay for it—unless you want to work for free, that is.

As an adjunct to this essay, allow me to ask one last question. We are told there are twenty million or so illegal immigrants in the United States, and our government over the past thirty-some years has lost track of who and where they are—can’t even find them. We are further told that over half of these people came here legally with passports, and they are now illegal because their passports have since expired.  Why do you think a nation with the ability to track down a mad cow in a barnyard in Timbuktu can’t find an illegal immigrant right in front of our face, i.e. in our midst? I submit to you that the problem with the INS, our Immigration and Naturalization Service, is the same as with our Veterans Administration, and other departments within our government. It is underfunded, understaffed, and poorly managed. I forgot to especially mention our Securities and Exchange Commission. Do you remember a while back when it was reported that their employees were caught watching pornography on their computers during working hours?

We need Border Security. We need the INS. In our civilized society, we need many other services from government. We cannot live civilly without them. But nothing is free. We must pay for what we get, and those payments can only be through taxes based upon one’s ability to pay, i.e. a progressive tax system. To this end, watch who is clamoring for increased border security while simultaneously voting against the money to pay for it. It’s kind of ironic that those who are paid so much for accomplishing so little expect others to climb mountains for nothing. These politicians talk dumb to we the people. Perhaps they do so because they think we are dumb.

Ronald Miller

Email me at mtss86@comcast.net