Posted by
Patrick Henry on Friday, July 09, 2010 4:47:23 PM
What is proposed in this series of posts is an issue linked, bipartisan negotiation in
which immigrants get the most important part of what they want (a path to citizen-
ship), but not everything they want (universal amnesty and open borders). Liberals
get part of what they want, including a growing legalized Hispanic population that
will be fodder for the unions who tend to support Democrats, but not the hurry-up
that would enable them to hold their current power unchallenged. Conservatives
get part of what they want, secure borders, an orderly immigration process and the
continued availability of farm and other lower cost workers. But they don't get
universal deportation or exploitable labor, and they have to swallow a limited
amnesty. Two things, however, can screw up the whole deal. Those two things
are (1) diplomacy, and (2) politics, in inverse order of perversity.
For this to work, somebody is going to have to have "the talk" with Mexico and
its president. They are going to have to be told flat out that the "right of emigration"
about which they speak simply does not exist, and the fact that some of their forbears
settled north of the border provides no inherent right for the descendants to violate
our international boundary willy-nilly or have any say whatsoever in the affairs of
individual American states or national policy. They must understand that we will
protect our border with Mexico, by armed force if necessary. though that is not our
preference. They must understand that while we regret that they are unable to
control drug trafficking and the concomitant violence in their own country, we will
not tolerate it spilling over into ours, and will, again, resort to force if necessary to
protect the lives and property of Americans, enforce our laws and defend our public
lands. In other words, "it's a whole new deal, Mr. Calderon, and we're not kidding
this time." Whether the Obama administration that has folded like a house of cards
before Iran, North Korea and Russia has what it takes to do this is highly problematic.
But if they don't, a government that actually provides maps to help illegals find their
way around Arizona, California, New Mexico and Colorado will likely take the
new policy as the ongoing joke the current one is.
On the political side, the task is even more Herculean. Two parties that tend to
approach policy like World Cup antagonists, each trying to score goals on the other,
are going to have to, for once, stop thinking about what's good for their party (e.g.,
more union member/voters or more cheap labor) and get serious about what's good
for America. The old war horses in both the House and the Senate need to lie low
and let the younger and more moderate members of their respective houses lead this
charge. Older and more extreme younger members are too steeped in adversarial
politics and too out of touch with mainstream America to keep civil tongues, pursue
genuine compromise and craft a finished product with bipartisan credibility. If they
are not prepared to do that, this issue is doomed to permanent gridlock.
Even more importantly, this administration must start behaving like a trustworthy
partner in this endeavor, NOT after it is done, but right now. That means no more
suits against states, REAL, hard-nosed border security and taking the leash off
Immigration Control Enforcement to begin the painful process of weeding out those
who must go from those who could safely and productively stay. Sending a mere
1,200 troops to the border in a non-enforcement capacity is not such an act of good
faith, but a cynical political pressure release valve. It engenders zero confidence
that Obama and his people would enforce any part of the new law save the parts
they favor (i.e., amnesty, guest workers and legalization). Since Obama has earned
this mistrust, he is the only one who can repair it. If amnesty sign-ups have to
publicly admit that they broke the law, Obama should publicly say he failed to
enforce it, and explain in great detail exactly how his behavior and language, and
that of the rest of his administration is going to change. His personal pride and the
arrogance of majority demonstrated by his administration and party may render
such an outcome unlikely. But without it, the issue is likely to go unaddressed so
long as he is in office.
One parting word to Hispanics and their supporters (one of whom I am). You
have a wonderful and rich culture and an exemplary work ethic. That is what you
bring to America's greatness, and what your newly legalized brethren can multiply.
Do not be gulled by extremist organizers into believing that America can EVER be
influenced or subverted into ceding land on its southermost borders back to Mexico.
And when you must demonstrate to make your point, do so waving American, not
Mexican flags. For in so doing you only further alienate those upon whose good will
an amnesty depends. And do not hate Republicans and try to bar them from office.
For in the years ahead you will need their understanding and support to solve the
problems of a newly legal population, and friends tend to be more understanding
than enemies. What conservatives want is simply border (national) security and a
favorable business climate. Newly legal immigrants will benefit from those things
as well. Forming a strong Hispanic caucus within the Republican or Tea Parties
is far from impossible, and you can wield far more influence from the inside than
the outside. It is not only our nation that thrives on diversity, but it can and should
be our political parties as well. This is a problem we can solve together when each
of us understands we can get so much of what we want, even if we can't get quite
everything we want.