Rupert Murdoch and the Oxymoron

Today, Rupert Murdoch testified on Capitol Hill in favor of immigration "reform."  (Link to story here.)  

He was right in stating his belief that "All Americans should have a vital interest in fixing our broken immigration system so we can continue to compete in the 21st Century global economy."

He was right to support "complete and proper closure of all our borders to future illegal immigrants."

But he lost me when he called for amnesty under the popular euphemism - "a path to citizenship" - to be given to "responsible, law-abiding immigrants who are in the U.S. today without proper authority."

Anybody else spot the problem in that statement?  Anybody who didn't?

"Immigrants who are in the U.S. today without proper authority" are, by definition, NOT "law-abiding."

Real reform of the immigration system is necessary, yesterday.  But since we can't turn back the clock, let's start by sealing the borders now and sending home as many of those law-breaking immigrants who are in the U.S. today without proper authority as possible.

It is time to change the Fourteenth Amendment

Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution begins . . .

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States . . .


That language, and court cases interpreting it since the late 1800s, has granted American citizenship to anyone born within the borders of the United States, whether the parents of the child are present legally or not.  As you might imagine, birthright citizenship has created quite an incentive for foreign nationals to be here when children are born.  Reports are that at least 60,000 babies are born to illegal immigrants every year - in Texas alone.  (Link here.)  That's 60,000 feet (120,000 feet, technically) blocking the door from hitting the lawbreaking parents' rear-ends on their way out of the country since it is much more difficult (if not impossible) to deport the illegal immigrant parents of U.S. citizen infants.  And we sure can't deport the babies.

I'm for a robust, vibrant, and big-hearted LEGAL immigration system (coupled with real enforcement of immigration laws and sending those folks who are here illegally home, post haste).  But birthright citizenship, as it now stands, is out of hand.  The fix is simple, though the way complex . . .

The time has come to amend the beginning of the Fourteenth Amendment to read:

All persons born in the United States to a legal resident mother or father and all persons naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States . . .

The quest revisit the notion of birthright citizenship is gaining some traction.  (Link to story here.)  The time has come.

Won't - Can't - Then who will?

The government of the United States won't guard our national borders, enforce our immigration laws, and protect America from the scourge of illegal immigration.

State governments, at least according to a federal judge in Arizona , can't do the job.

That leaves me wondering . . . who will?

Or, sadly, is the cause lost?  And the country with it?

Eric Holder tells the truth about Immigration

            From the front page of today’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch under the headline “U.S. battles Arizona law in suit over immigration” . . . “The Justice Department, contending that immigration is a federal responsibility, sued Arizona on Tuesday and asked a federal court to halt the state’s new law aimed at illegal immigrants.

            “Attorney General Eric Holder said the lawsuit was prepared after extensive consultation with law enforcement officials and civil rights groups that oppose the state law.

            “’Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility,’ Holder said.”

            This story sent me over the edge and dragged me out of my self-imposed hiatus.  Two important points need to be made:

First, the Obama administration prepared this lawsuit “after extensive consultation” with people and groups “that oppose the state law.”  Maybe they should be consulting some of the folks in Arizona dealing with the reality of failed immigration enforcement.  Maybe they should be consulting with some people who support the law before deciding to attack it.  Maybe there is a way for Washington and Phoenix to work together.  In a rational world, there would be.

Second, the lawsuit is based on the reality that the federal government is supposed to be protecting America’s borders.  Attorney General Holder’s words, “setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility,” could not be more true.  Unfortunately, they miss the point of the Arizona law entirely . . .

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT MEETING ITS “RESPONSIBILITY.”  Until it does, someone must, and Arizona is trying.  Whether their approach is perfect or not is a matter for another day. 

If the federal government wants the states to stay out of immigration enforcement, the federal government should enforce our immigration laws and protect America’s borders.

A message from Arizona to President Barack Obama and the federal government:

Sometimes laws have intended effects

Here's the headline from this Associate Press story:  "Illegal immigrants plan to leave over Ariz. law."

Huh.  Well, wasn't that the point of the law in the first place.

If we were to pass similar laws in Missouri . . . Illinois . . . nationwide . . .

Why did the White House strips AZ sheriff of immigration enforcement powers?

The Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, Joe Arpaio, with the agreement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security "had been authorized to enforce federal immigration law by arresting suspected illegal immigrants in the field and by checking the immigration status of people arrested on other offenses."  Arpaio and his deputies have arrested "roughly 33,000 illegal immigrants" since 2007.  (Link to story here.)

Amid complaints of racial profiling of Hispanic people, the Obama administration has pulled the plug.  As if the Arizona border is being overrun with illegal immigrants from somewhere other than Mexico.

Why would the White House put a stop to the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants?  Because they've got their eyes on them as voters after the desired amnesty becomes reality.  And the Democrats are not shy about placing electoral politics and special interest concerns over the defense of America.

The borders must be secured.  If the federal government can't (or won't) do the job, more power to law enforcement agency willing and able to do it.

Obamacare Update

Federal funding of abortion . . . in.  (Link here.)

Requirements to show identification to prevent illegal immigrants from participating in the plan . . . out.  (Link here.)

Senators taking their planned recess in October to go home and, very likely, hear more from angry constituents . . . no bleeping way.  (Link here.)

Why the rush Harry?  Are you afraid of what the folks in Nevada might tell you?  Are you afraid that if you wait much longer the rest of Obamacare's dwindling support will fade away?  All of the above?

Keep the pressure on folks.  Keep exposing the truth about this so-called reform.  Contact Claire McCaskill and tell her to "just say no."

Maybe we should "swear in" President Obama before he speaks

Witnesses in a court of law are required to be sworn in before giving testimony.  They swear to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."  

Joe Wilson (R-SC) famously interrupted Barack Obama during his healthcare speech to Congress shouting "You lie!" when the president claimed that his healthcare plans would not cover illegal immigrants.  Since then that interruption, folks have debated whether or not Obamacare (Version ?) did or did not provide such coverage.  

Whether Obama was telling the truth or not is one thing but now we can be certain that he was not telling the whole truth . . .

Obama doesn't want to give "illegal immigrants" taxpayer-funded healthcare - nope - he wants to give them amnesty, convert them into "legal immigrants" and then provide them with taxpayer-funded healthcare.  (Link to story here.)

So Obama doesn't support ONLY free healthcare for illegal immigrants - he wants to grant them all citizenship first.

Next time Obama speaks, I want him to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Illegal Immigrants beware . . . Walker is on patrol

Texas Governor Rick Perry, fed up with the continuing failure of the federal government to secure America's border with Mexico, has called in the Rangers.  (Link to story here.)  Perry's calls to Washington for National Guard troops have been ignored and somebody's got to step in and do the job.  

Good luck Gov. Perry and good luck Rangers.  Thanks for your efforts.

Senator Claire McCaskill flip-flops on illegal immigration

Back in 2007, I gave Missouri's junior senator props for voting against the Washington elite's bipartisan, anti-American, amnesty bill for illegal immigrants.  But now Claire McCaskill is seems to have turned in her independence, and her respect for the law, by flip-flopping on the so-called "DREAM Act."  (Link to story here.)

According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, this measure "would allow millions of illegal aliens who meet a very loose definition of 'student' to qualify for green cards" and in-state tuition.  Then, those students receiving green cards could "petition the government to grant their parents and relatives legal status too."

I believe in immigration.  After all, it is more than a cliche, it is the truth to say that this nation is a nation of immigrants.  However, it was a nation of legal immigrants.  And it must remain so.

Individuals who fail to follow the law should not receive a benefit.  Individuals who enter the United States illegally or overstay their legal welcome should not be rewarded with green cards, or anything but a plane, bus, or boat ticket home.

In 2007, Claire McCaskill listened to Missourians and voted to defend American law.  If we scream loud enough again, maybe she'll listen again, snap out of it, and remember that she should be working for you and me, not Barack Obama.  If she doesn't, let me be the first to congratulate Sarah Steelman on her defeat of McCaskill in 2012.

Brace yourself

In the midst of a recession, job cuts, and rising unemployment in America, President Obama plans to renew efforts to "reform" immigration, including amnesty for illegal immigrants.  (Link to story here.)  Look for efforts to begin next month.

Americans were outraged, rightly so, when President Bush pushed such a plan in 2007, and, eventually, defeated it.  But victory could be fleeting.  Defeat would be devastating.  Get ready to put up a fight.

Democrats in Congress trying to intimidate Arizona Sheriff for enforcing immigration laws

The Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, Joe Arpaio, has "dozens of officers under his command" who have been trained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and partnered with them to enforce immigration laws.  And, seemingly unlike the federal government, the Maricopa County has actually been enforcing those laws.  As of last August, in the course of 18 months "nearly 2,300" undocumented aliens had been arrested as the result of specific programs directed at illegal immigration and human smuggling on the county's roads.  In addition, 16,000 -- 16,000! -- prisoners in Maricopa County jails "were determined to be illegal aliens."  Now, they'll be deported after serving their time, thanks to the Sheriff's efforts.

But is Maricopa County getting the big pat on the back that they deserve?  Nope.  The sheriff and his deputies are being investigated by the Justice Department at the urging of liberal Democrats John Conyers, Jerrold Nadler, Zoe Lofgren, and Robert Scott.  ACORN is lending its support to the investigation with a petition drive and rallies.  (Link to story here.)

The investigation centers on "patterns or practices of discriminatory police practices and unconstitutional searches and seizures conducted by the MCSO [Maricopa County Sheriff's Office], and on the allegations of national origin discrimination."

Now, don't get me wrong.  The Sheriff's Department should follow the law and the constitution.  If they're failing to do so, they should be stopped.  

But, this sure smells like intimidation to me.  It is a signal to law enforcement officials everywhere, including those in the Missouri Highway Patrol, to turn the other way to illegal immigration or face investigation yourself.

Haven't we turned the other way for too long?

Wouldn't you think that illegal immigrants who admit that they are in the United States Illegally would be deported rather than being released?

Well, you would be wrong.  Check out this alarming feature from today's Houston Chronicle.

The sheriff of Harris County, where Houston sits, Tommy Thomas, explained that, "in a perfect world, I'd like to see our borders secured to where we have someone we find to be here illegally, we turn them over to [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and have them deported.  But that's not something that's happening at this day and time."

It sure ought to be happening at this day and time.  It doesn't seem too much to ask that if someone's here illegally and gets caught they should be on a fast plane or slow boat home - as soon as possible.

Jim DeMint gets it

Jim DeMint, Republican Senator from South Carolina, has a pretty good handle on why his party lost big in 2008 elections . . . George W. Bush, Ted Stevens, and John McCain.

Bush and Stevens led the way for expansion of government and wasteful spending.

McCain betrayed conservative principles by sponsoring a flawed campaign finance reform package, proposing "amnesty for illegals,"  supporting a cap-and-trade program to fight "global warming," opposing oil drilling in ANWR, and backing the $700 billion bailout.

"Americans do prefer a traditional conservative government," DeMint said.  "They just did not believe Republicans were going to give it to them."

You're absolutely right Senator DeMint.  Right on the money!

Help Wanted

Dallas (Texas) Independent School District seeks teachers for bilingual classes.  Legal presence in the United States not required.  Social security number not required (fake # will be provided by the District).

MO Legislature Passes Flurry of Bills on Friday

Friday was the final day of the 2008 legislative session in Missouri.  Several bills were passed and sent for Governor Blunt's signature.  Among them was an immigration bill - good job folks.  Property tax relief also passed.  Kudos on that too.

Sadly missing was the photo i.d. amendment for voting.

Missouri House Passes Immigration Bill

Kudos to the Missouri House of Representatives for passing an immigration bill today that takes four steps in the direction of curbing illegal immigration.  

First, the bill directs the Missouri Highway Patrol to train some or all of its officers to enforce federal immigration laws in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and in accordance with federal law.  

Second, it prohibits municipalities within the state from establishing themselves as sanctuaries for illegal aliens.

Third, the bill requires commercial drivers license tests to be given in English.

And fourth, it requires police agencies arresting individuals to verify his or her immigration status and requires the Department of Homeland Security to be notified if the individual is not in the country legally.

Let's hope these measures make it through conference with the Senate and are signed into law.

280,523 Steps In the Right Direction

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security deported 280,523 persons in fiscal 2007.  This figure is higher than ever before and almost 100,000 more illegal immigrants were sent home in 2007 than in 2006.  (The figures come from a story in today's Washington Times.)

Homeland Security deserves some credit for improvements but there is still a long way to go.  Nobody knows how many illegal aliens are in the United States right now but estimates range from 7 million to 20 million or more.  

Deporting 280,523 illegal immigrants is a start but, unfortunately, that many deportations really just scratch the surface of the problem.  The time is now (though it should have been years ago) for our federal government to get serious on this issue.

No College for Illegal Immigrants

Illegal immigration is a major problem in the United States and Missouri.  Our nation was built by immigrants - but immigrants who, by and large, followed the laws of their new nation and entered legally.  America should still welcome immigrants, but only immigrants who follow the law, wait their turn and enter the country legally.  Those immigrants who are here illegally should not be allowed to benefit from their illegal presence here.

Although it is only a small step, a bill sponsored by Representative Jerry Nolte (R-Gladstone) in the Missouri House of Representatives is at least a step in the right direction.  If the bill is passed and signed into law, state colleges and universities would be prohibited from enrolling illegal immigrants.

Enrollment at a taxpayer supported college or university is such a benefit and a privilege that should be withheld from individuals whose presence in the country is not permitted by law.

That seems simple and obvious to me but apparently it is not obvious to everyone.  In a Post-Dispatch article, two critics of the proposal are quoted.  Ed Wildberger (D-St. Joseph) believes that the bill "punishes children for their parents' mistakes."  Indeed, the illegal immigrant collegian's parents may have broken the law, these young adults are also breaking the law.  Neither they nor their parents should be receiving benefits from the state, like enrollment in a state college or university.

More troubling is the criticism of House Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D-Independence).  LeVota said that this proposal doesn't address the real immigration problem facing the state - employment of illegal aliens.  That statement is certainly true.  But it isn't a valid criticism of this proposal.  Pass this bill to prohibit enrollment of illegal immigrants in colleges and universities.  Then, Rep. LeVota, try sponsoring a bill that does something about employment of illegal immigrants as well.