EDITORIAL INDE-FENCE-IBLE FIXING IMMIGRATION PROBLEM REQUIRES A LOT MORE THAN A FENCE.WITH election day looming, legislation on construction of a 700-mile fence along the Mexican border has suddenly gained momentum with some Democrats backing Republican proposals in the House. Now the Senate appears likely to support the fence plan as well. A border fence will surely slow illegal crossings, but it will still leave the country a long way from fixing its larger -- and more pressing -- immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. problem. And that is, how to deal with an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa. (See: alien) already here, and how to facilitate orderly immigration in the future. While it's too late for comprehensive immigration reform Immigration reform is the common term used in political discussions regarding changes to immigration policy. In a certain sense, reform can be general enough to include promoted, expanded, or open immigration, but in reality discussions of reform often deal with the aspect of before the midterm mid·term n. 1. The middle of an academic term or a political term of office. 2. a. An examination given at the middle of a school or college term. b. midterms A series of such examinations. elections, the fence can't be the last word on immigration reform. U.S. lawmakers must not be allowed to let this issue fade because of its political difficulty. Of course, the safety and security of Americans means that we must have some sort of control over the borders, and have a reasonable knowledge of who is in the country. But we also need a sane system of bringing workers to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. for agriculture and other jobs traditionally held by immigrants, as well as a way to bring the illegal immigrants here out of the shadows. President Bush has said that rounding up all the millions of illegal immigrants living and working in the United States and deporting them is not a realistic option. He's absolutely correct. The only real option is to construct a mechanism to allow hard-working and otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants to have some path toward citizenship. Those opposed will decry de·cry tr.v. de·cried, de·cry·ing, de·cries 1. To condemn openly. 2. To depreciate (currency, for example) by official proclamation or by rumor. such a plan as amnesty, but it's the only solution that doesn't compromise the ideals and morality that make up America. Securing the borders is a reasonable first step of immigration reform. It's indefensible, however, if it's the only step. |
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