Illegal Immigration: A National Emergency?

Of course you now know that I make a living as a flatbed truck driver and as such, I have direct daily contact with the encroachment of Hispanic culture into the melting pot of American society. The ever increasing presence of Hispanic influence on our society instills fear in some, loathing in others, and amongst many of us, a grudging acceptance. According to the most widely accepted estimates, there are now approximately 12 million illegal aliens in the United States. The vast majority of these have crossed our southern border with Mexico and are of Mexican descent.

I spend a large part of my time driving out West where Mexican culture has been present since the advent of the United States. I regularly travel through California, Arizona, and New Mexico and interact often with Mexican-Americans. New to the American scene however, is the presence Mexican migrants in such far flung places as North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

As a society, we must address some aspects of this issue in an honest manner. In an effort to support their political stance, individuals on both sides of this issue naturally superimpose their views on the available data. First off, any individual who crosses any international border without clearing customs is an illegal alien. Politically correct titles such as "Undocumented Worker" merely attempt to cloud the issue of national sovereignty. Secondly, those who support the free exercise of American enterprise (a distinct national identity), often fail to castigate those entrepreneurs who circumvent the system and hire illegal aliens. Thirdly, as the Hispanic ethnic group gains in economic and political power, politicians naturally sidestep the issue for fear of alienating their constituency. Lastly, illegal though they may be, these impoverished immigrants have much in common with prior migrations of poor, uneducated workers to our soil.

So, the question looms before us, need we fear this influx of poor uneducated workers? It goes without saying that something must be done. Hiding behind a fence, while it might make us feel better, is not a solution. Hiring more Border Patrol agents and streamlining interagency cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will help stem the tide. The possibility of immediate deportation will also stem a portion of illegal aliens from attempting to enter our country. Businesses which hire illegal workers must face a stiff penalty if convicted of illegal hiring practices. We as consumers must also bear responsibility for price increases in the marketplace. Have you ever wondered why produce is relatively cheap in the United States? Amnesty is also not the answer. The Reagan Administration tried it, and illegal immigration has only increased. Politicians need to investigate the impact of economic stimuli or the threat of trade restrictions with Mexico if they do not become an effective partner in controlling our mutual border. After all, try to illegally cross over into Mexico as an American and discover for yourself just how fast Mexican authorities will deport you.

At the end of the day, we must gain control of our borders and develop a rational program for documenting and assimilating those illegal aliens currently amidst us. As new citizens, these former illegal aliens must actively submerge themselves into our society. Yes, this will occur at a cost to their former national identity however, this has been the price paid by all former waves of migrants since the founding of our nation.