Thoughts on Immigration, Reform, Arizona SB 1070

America, we have a problem. Arizona, we have a BIGGER problem. Adding to it all, though, is uninformed people (from both sides of the debate) spouting erroneous information and parroting
ideologies that comes from other uninformed, uneducated, or biased individuals or groups. Perhaps, you've heard Abraham Lincoln's saying: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." It is the good ol' US of A, free speech reigns (and ain't it great?!), but you should know what you are saying, especially when arguing an issue as divisive as the one before us.

The problem America has right now is immigration. Granted, there are many other issues with our country at this time, but the one getting the most play is immigration, and to be more specific, illegal immigration. I will state this plainly so there is no question about it: I am for immigration; I am against illegal immigration; I am for immigration reform; I believe the way Arizona is addressing the problem is extremely wrong. Also, in the midst of all of this rancor and debate, I am appalled and surprised at what I have seen and heard from some of my fellow Americans.

America, our problem is demonstrated by the picture above. We have a big open border, an open door per se, and we just want people to stay out because we say so. America is so inviting to many, the "land of opportunity", and we want people to come legally. The problem is that doing so legally costs a lot of money, takes a lot of time, and includes the chance that you won't win the "visa lottery" administered by the government. The alternative, swimming across a river or walking across a desert, although more dangerous, eliminates the three obstacles mentioned, and the benefits greatly outweigh the risks in the minds of many. Our borders are too porous. I don't know what the answer is. I have been against a border wall because it causes other issues, such as hurting landowner's rights, cutting off irrigation sources for farmers, etc, but no system is perfect. A border wall in desolate areas, along with increased enforcement closer to the cities and towns might work, but I am not versed enough in these issues to suggest a solution. The thing is, it is not just Mexicans, other Latin Americans, etc. crossing illegally. There have been suspected terrorists that have tried to get across, and we know we are at war with some ideological people that just want to come in and cause havoc. Somehow, we need to make it to where the picture of the open door above is not so open or easy to come across.

I strongly believe that if people want to come into our country, they need to do so legally. PLAIN and SIMPLE. Getting them here legally helps everyone, as it starts incorporating these individuals as members of our societies. They are more likely to be involved in their community, to encourage their families to participate, and to start making the "upward" move that America provides opportunities for. Legal immigrants pay taxes. Legal immigrants don't need to hide. You know about those low census response rates in these border cities and states? Well, I bet you they are even lower than what is reported. This hurts our cities, our schools, our roads, our bridges, our projects, etc, etc, etc. Yes, it is true that many of these illegals take the jobs no one wants, and it is true that they take less pay than what Americans would for the same jobs. Some would argue that this makes prices lower, but I would argue that we are paying what the market will bear, and the only people benefiting are the owners of these companies or operations who profit tremendously. They aren't going to charge you less because they pay their labor less...they are capitalists and successful for a reason, but it puts them on an uneven playing field with those that do it by the book and pay employment taxes, etc. Oh, don't get me wrong, I am a hardcore capitalist at heart, but people should do things the right way to get their just rewards. I guess that makes me an idealist, too.

My grandparents came here legally over a half century ago and made the trek over the years from visa holders to permanent resident aliens to American citizens. My grandfather started his own plumbing company, with his proper licenses, ascended to be designated a Master Plumber by the state of Texas, and was extremely successful with his company at the time of his death. He built and owned his own home. He was the hardest worker I have ever seen, fair, reliable, honest...his reputation above reproach. In my eyes, he lived the American dream. Many immigrants, both legal and illegal, are here to work, and they work hard. The illegal immigrants hurt themselves since they are stuck without the opportunity to ascend. They can't legally own a home, they can't own a business, they don't know what is available to them and their families as many shirk away from these opportunities in fear of being exposed and possibly deported. This is why some sort of immigration reform is necessary. We MUST do something. Doing nothing is wrong.

Immigration reform is tricky. What can we do? There needs to be both incentives and deterrents to make it work. Amnesty, such as letting whoever is here just stay as long as they apply for citizenship, is a horrible idea...why would you reward people for breaking the law, and then just let them get away with it? My idea is an offshoot of amnesty, but with penalties attached. Yeah, kinda an oxymoron, not really amnesty, but how about this: If you are already here, working, and without a criminal record, you can stay, but you must provide several things. You must provide a letter of employment from your employer, a job history, and proof that you are self-sufficient and not depending on government handouts to make it. You must agree to pay taxes for the length of time you've been here, along with additional penalties or citizenship application fees, and those can come from your employment wages going into the future. You can be granted provisional status until these things are fully paid, and at the time your debt is satisfied, you become a legal immigrant. Why would someone agree to do this? Well, pressure will be put on by their employers since we would fine employers a huge amount if they are found to be employing illegals who aren't participating. Furthermore, if you are here and you don't enroll in this program in the 6-month to 1 year window provided, for example, then you waive your right to ever be considered for citizenship. Make this a bigger crime than what is in the books now. Don't send people to cushy jails or deport them right across the border where they can just come back easily...it is a time to bring back hard labor camps. Yeah, a little extreme, but you have every single opportunity to make yourself legal. Do it right, or leave. Again, PLAIN and SIMPLE.

This brings me to the new Arizona legislation, AZ SB 1070...wow. First of all, those of you arguing against this on the basis of discrimination because most illegals aliens are Mexicans, etc are wrong, and you detract from the real issues at hand. Entering our borders illegally makes you a criminal, based on the laws of our country which have been around for a very long time. Those of you arguing for it on the basis of "if you aren't illegal, you have nothing to hide" are also wrong as to what the real issues are. Look, the intent of the law is to curb illegal immigration, but Arizona totally screwed up with the way they are doing it. The law states that if a law enforcement officer suspects that you might be here illegally, that s/he has the right to ask for you to provide documentation showing that you can be here. The main point of contention that I, and many other people have, is that this will lead to racial profiling. How, you ask?

I am an American citizen of Mexican descent. My skin is brown. I can speak Spanish, I prefer English, but I am not ashamed by my ability to speak Spanish. If I were to be in a fender bender in Arizona, say, with my grandmother in the car who prefers Spanish, and I am explaining to her in Spanish whatever it may be, and the cop hears me, he can ask me to prove that I am an American citizen. Why would he ask me....why would he suspect that I might be illegal? Well, I'm brown, and I speak Spanish, and "most" illegals are Mexican. Here's the problem: I can refuse. It is my right as an American citizen. I am entitled to my 14th amendment rights of due process. I don't care who the hell you are, but I do not need to prove to you that I am an American, because as an American, that is my right. A driver's license is not official documentation. You need a birth certificate or passport. If you don't or can't provide it, you can be arrested and taken to jail. If my accident was (and this is only an example) with someone who was white and speaking English, the cop might not be inclined to ask them for proof that they are US citizens, and therein lies the problem. The Constitution of this country is what makes America great. I will not let you infringe on my rights. I am an American, too.

Some people say: "Just speak to the cop in English, tell him you are a US citizen, and be done with it." Due to my work, I dealt with many Mexican nationals, many here living or visiting legally, and you would be surprised how many speak perfect English or don't look like whatever the stereotype of a Mexican is. English is not the official language of the United States...I can speak whatever I want. Make it the official language, but people can still learn English. Just as many of us had Spanish classes in school, are you not aware that many Mexican schools have English classes, too?

Some people say: "Look, illegal immigration is a big problem. Just put up with it. It is just a little inconvenience for you. Big deal." I paraphrased that from a debate I had with a white friend of a cousin of mine. Look, it is a very big deal. If you are going to put checkpoints at every corner and check everyone's papers, I'm fine with it, just as I'm perfectly fine with the Border Patrol checkpoints when you leave any border city. If you are going to put checkpoints and wave most people through, but ask me for my papers because you suspect I might be illegal due to my Intocable music coming out of my stereo, the soccer jersey a friend is wearing, or mainly because of my skin color, yeah, that is a huge problem. This guy I was debating has a quote he likes to say: "White is right." He was kinda proud of himself that he was so unabashed in saying it. This country is a little backwards sometimes. It's sad. I have rarely felt discrimination or bigotry/racism before, but in the last couple of years it seems that the far right ideologies are making it okay to spew this hatred. I worked at a company that absorbed a company in the Deep South, and although I never had a problem with many of the people from that area, there were two individuals that spoke down to me and made me feel uncomfortable, and you could tell their disdain was from the fact that they thought I was beneath them as a person, since I was "Mexican." I'm not, you know? LOL, some people are just raised differently.

Anyway, sorry for the freaking overly long post. I will part with the following status a cousin of mine from AZ, who is serving our country in Afghanistan right now, posted on his FB a few weeks ago: "Do you realize that in AZ they can randomly pull you over for being brown? Check your birth certificate and ask for your SSN card (which you are not supposed to carry.) That's a very short step to invading my house to see if I got illegals hiding out. It's kind of how the national socialist party started in Germany in the 1930's. Except they were after the Jews. And we all know how that turned out."

Thoughts? Agree/disagree? Why?