Illegal immigration

There are an estimated eleven to thirteen million Illegal aliens living in the United States. The greatest majority of the illegal aliens in America today are Mexican citizens who arrived from across our border with Mexico. Some arrived yesterday, and many thirty and forty years ago at the open invitation of American agricultural interest. Some, having arrived many years ago, have immediate relatives (children, grandchildren, spouses, etc.) who are natural born U.S. Citizens. Although now politically popular, the notion that we can send all those millions of people packing is not only unrealistic, it is an impossible task. In this case, practicality and in deference to the millions of US citizens who would be adversely effected, we must find an accommodation, a middle ground, in the effort to resolve this issue.

To strengthen our borders and our relationships with our neighbors is the only real solution. High fences running for miles and deep trenches, although necessary in some areas, will not be sufficient to the task. The task will require total cooperation and assistance from the Mexican Federal Government. To negotiate a plan and method for cooperation will be the truest path to successfully securing our borders with our friends and neighbors from the South. I am always amused by the clamor about our border security, particularly when the border with Canada is rarely mentioned. The United States Agriculture groups and certain industrial entities have welcomed illegal Mexican workers for over eight decades and encouraged them to remain in America where they were finding security, prosperity and acceptance.

Government authorities need to develop a viable physical border security plan which will provide a reasonable level of physical border security, but should also initiate cooperation programs with the Mexican and Canadian governments which will solicit mutual assistance and security.

All of the 9-11 hijackers came across the Canadian border legally and illegally, a favorite crossing place for illegal Europeans and Middle Easterners. No Mexican, having legally or illegally arrived from Mexico, has ever been charged with Terrorism. A comprehensive and serious program of securing our boarders should be the priority.

Trying to hunt down millions of people living in America, some having been here for four and five decades, is a fools folly serving political interest and which will cost more than it will ever save. The human, as well as the economic, toll would be incalculable.