Rethinking Immigration

 

If you have read this website for a while, you know that I have taken a hard stand against illegal immigration. I believe it is a problem, and I believe we need to deal with it. Having said that, the ruckus over Newt Gingrich’s statements in the last debate has caused me to re-examine what I think. I learned a long time ago that I don’t know half of what I think I know, and I think I am about to learn that again!

Just for the record, Newt Gingrich’s statement that he cannot imagine deporting immigrants who have been here for a long time and not broken the law (other than immigration law) is consistent with statements he has made in the past. It is a ‘humane’ immigration policy that has been supported consistently by some in the Republican party.

I have not come to a general conclusion yet, I am still learning and thinking. However, I have concluded that no matter what we do as a country regarding illegal immigration, we need to seal our borders so that we know who is entering the country. I am not talking alligators and moats, but I am talking about fences, troops and adequate measures taken to close our borders to anyone attempting to enter the country illegally. Next, we need to keep track of people who entered legally and have overstayed their legal time here. I am not talking deportation–I am talking about a case by case study, done honestly and fairly (can we do that?) and decisions made.

We really shouldn’t be getting all hyped up about what to do with illegal immigrants until we have successfully closed our borders. Otherwise, why bother?

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