Our World

Immigration Again and Again and Again

Time magazine posted a feature (Nov. 17) on immigration that we have discussed and will continue to see and hear about in 2007. With conservative Republicans in full control in Texas, despite Democrat control in WA. Republicans will push and pull and pull and push to pass bills dealing with illegal immigration.
One town named Farmers Branch, Texas is nearly 40% Hispanic. The city council in this suburb of Dallas voted to “make English its official language and fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants.” Austin, Texas wants to cut benefits to illegal immigrants and require documentation at the voting booths. They also want to refuse welfare benefits to the U.S. born children of illegal aliens, even though this right has been given to them in the 14th Amendment. Hispanic/Latino groups are mad because many supported Republicans during our recent election. They now feel they are in a “hate campaign.”
What I found interesting is that other states like Arizona also passed actions refusing state supported benefits like child care and the right to bail in lawsuits to illegal immigrants. I think we will see more states with bills and other measures to address immigration because Congress didn’t pass a complete restructuring plan. Should the problem be placed on each state to address or should our federal government better support our states on this issue?
If you keep reading you’ll discover that another town named Tyler, Texas also has a representative named Leo Berman. Under his bill, “children born in Texas to illegal aliens would be denied state unemployment or public assistance benefits like food stamps as well as professional licenses.” I was floored to learn that 2 million illegal immigrants receive these benefits, but they are NOT reimbursed by our federal government. No wonder why states want to pass new legislation. Berman also mentions that there are 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. right now who have benefits most U.S. citizens don’t have. This is really amazing and somewhat discouraging to legal citizens.
We have discussed funding for a wall to keep out illegal immigrants, but I now believe that maybe we need to pass more legislation. Many illegal aliens have it quite good in the U.S. If they are denied these benefits they may not want to come into the U.S. Do you think strict legislation either by our federal or state governments could change some of our problems with immigration?

www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1560643,00.html

posted by Anonymous @ 11/21/2006 04:23:00 PM