The cacophonous noises surrounding illegal immigration are deafening! The purpose of this Snippet is neither to defend nor condemn, simply to put the subject in context.
There are an estimated 11 million illegal individuals living in the United States. It’s an estimate because many live ‘under the radar’ and no accurate total is available. Who are they? How long have they been here? How many felony convictions? Does their presence hold a threat to our country? Why are so many people continuing to come?
In the summer of 2024, the Senate agreed to a compromise bill to deal with the issue. The bill was far from perfect, but it did increase funding for processing migrants and drug interdiction. Under pressure from candidate Trump, it was defeated. This leads us to the present policy, which is primarily arresting migrants here illegally, with an emphasis we are told on those who have committed felonies. Unfortunately, those who are here illegally have already committed the felony of being here illegally, a sort of Catch-22.
Recent studies have found that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate for property crimes. 80% of those classified as ‘illegal’ have been here for more than a decade. This is the group who are the parents of the “Dreamers,” those born here but still unable to achieve full citizenship.
It’s important to note that these people are seeking refuge from dangerous conditions in their home country…gangs in Honduras, drugs in Columbia, civil unrest in Venezuela, climate change destroying agriculture in areas near the equator. Most travel long distances, often incurring terrible hardships in the hope of securing a better life for their family.
As early as 1942, with the Bracero program, the United States welcomed these migrants. These workers were needed to help grow our lettuce, grapes, and strawberries. Many remained and built our subdivisions. They mowed our lawns, cleaned our homes, and tended to our children. They sent their children to school, and they became doctors, teachers and engineers.
So, what is the solution? A nation must be able to control its borders while vulnerable populations will always seek safer places to raise their families. Across Europe more than one million illegals have arrived from Africa and the Middle East.
Here are suggestions experts have offered:
- A pathway to citizenship for those already here for a defined period and who have committed no crimes.
- Broader access for immigrants with special skills.
- A start-up Visa program, encouraging businesses in specified areas to begin their business in the United States.
- Easier entry for international students.
- Development of new communities serving new immigrant populations.
- Additional resources to speed determination at our borders for those individuals seeking asylum.
The issue of large numbers of people knocking on the door of our southern border is a thorny one but like most complicated problems it is best dealt with in serious discussion by serious people. Now, wouldn’t that be a change?