Immigration … legislating behavior is possible … legislating what people think is impossible

The proposed bipartisan legislation on immigration has opened up a USA can of worms, albeit a healthy can of worms if you will buy this.

There are many good examples of this “immigration idea” just in the questions being asked and the discussions.
* Why not enforce the present laws before making new laws?
* The distrust of government to enforce both the old and proposed laws is alive and well! The idea that a President or Secretary of Homeland Defense can simply sign a certification of border security, that then trips more amnesty type things, makes many cynics very nervous.
* Values and rules of law count are part of the American personality. The idea of 12 million plus illegal immigrants getting different treatment from all the rest who have gone by the rules is more than most can accept, and vote for. It’s just wrong, as in immoral. And to heck with the consequences, whatever they may turn out to be. Values and rules of law are more important to our future than dealing with this fait accompli. Especially hard to accept is that the previous immigration legislations and federal management has brought us to this state.
* Political correctness can finally be broached as a subject. Just who is in charge of our Nation’s immigration policies and laws? Is it the present USA citizens, or is it the illegal immigrants and their do gooder sponsors? This is a very important question since our children’s future and our Nation’s future and culture are affected by the answer. As a retired Marine, I have third world experience, and respect for many of the third world cultures. But I also appreciate just what we have here in the USA, and am always glad to return to what we have thanks to our ancestors, and now the burden is on us. For example, I do not wish to import by immigration the gross corruptions of the constabularies where bribes count more than laws. Or if a gendarme is seriously injured fighting Moro rebels, I expect a helicopter be diverted from VIP golf support to trying to save this person’s life. I expect immigrants to assimilate in the melting pot fashion demonstrated by our immigrant forbearers. Those who do not want to assimilate can go home. I have children to protect first.

There are many practical problems to consider solving in the present proposed legislation. How does America round up all the illegal immigrants and deport them? How does America respect all the efforts to date of these same illegal immigrants? How does America preserve its immigrant history in solving this great National problem?

One obvious answer has to do with assumptions as to the questions and options for answers. For example, 90% of the illegal immigrants self deport themselves sometime just to go home to be with their families. If you buy this 90% number, then perhaps we don’t have to deport massive numbers. Perhaps we make the border porous going home and 90% tough coming back, and give it time. Another question is how we use immigration to shape our Nation. Again, is the USA in charge, or are the illegal immigrants and their do gooder sponsors in charge? The answer to that question is a voter answered question, not a politician answered question. I suspect we voters will be selfish in our answers and our votes that reflect concern for National Interests, not illegal immigrants’ interests. The politicians had better beware. Messing with voters is one thing, messing with our USA kids is another.