Recently I sent the paragraphs that follow here to a Texas journal. The editor, no liberal, responded that it’s the best approach to the issue of illegal immigration that he’s seen for a long while.
My challenge to Big Government readers is this: what solution would you propose that is better–that is, that actually works? It does no good to rail that illegal immigrants should not be rewarded for illegal entry. I agree, but what realistically would you do about it, with a proposal that works? Here are my paragraphs:
Two huge aspects bother Texans most about illegal immigration: one, they knowingly break our law in entering the country and get away with it. Two, they generally or often sponge on free health care–especially in emergency rooms and in birthing–and on free education. But there is no way, none, nada that government officials are going to locate, process, try in court, and then deport and follow-up on most of the 1.7 million illegal immigrants in the state [or 11 million in the country].
So what to do realistically? Establish a screening process that enables pathways to citizenship for many. True, they would be rewarded for illegal entry. But by granting citizenship, requiring the payment of fines, and putting them on taxrolls, we get back some of what they took and they pay their fair share of taxes in the future. Otherwise, they simply remain in the shadows, paying little or nothing and taking much. Our getting half a loaf is better than no loaf.
Big Government responders should recall Edmund Burke’s observation that “passions” can “forge fetters.”
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