Honest dialogue on illegal immigration

By Carol Vrooman

For some time now we in the Southwest have been aware of the problem; illegal immigration has finally come into the awareness of the American people. We need an honest open dialogue; we don’t need the name calling, the rabble rousing, the anger and animosity. The issue is very simple. The indisputable fact is that anyone who comes into the sovereign United States of America without the proper documentation has committed a crime. As a sovereign nation we have a right to control our borders.

Dave Patterson takes exception to Congressman Hunter’s stand on immigration. Fine, but to say his response to Patterson’s question was “poorly veiled code speak for his intention to do nothing...” is simply ideological constipation. How does Mr. Patterson know what his “intention” was? I didn’t hear that.

What the good Congressman actually SAID was that border security, as a national security issue must be solved before we get into the secondary (my word) issues. It makes sense, immigration is a multifaceted issue but without stopping the inflow we would only be putting a Band-Aid on a major hemorrhage. Unfortunately some can’t debate the national security issue. they can, however, in true Alinsky fashion, attempt to obfuscate the issue with the human tragedy issue, the unfair issue, oh and the “you’re a racist” canard.

“As shocking as this may be...” in reference to Hunter saying anchor babies should also be deported was not at all shocking, Mr. Patterson. Any good parent would walk through fire to keep their kids. There is no way I would leave without my kids. I know there would be social implications for the kids, but maybe the parents should have considered this eventuality when they came here without proper documentation. Illegals are the only ones responsible for their woes; THEY voluntarily chose to invade a sovereign nation.

Mr. Patterson suggests first “issue temporary green cards to every illegal.” Who are these folks? Where do we find them? Will they simply come out of the shadows to sign up? How will this work? Interestingly, rather than as a security measure to protect the United States, Mr. Patterson feels they should be identified so “they can demand real wages and benefits and pay taxes.” He also wants “stringent laws that prohibit employers from hiring undocumented workers.” Again his focus seems to be on the employer being sanctioned rather than the criminal (you break the law, you’re a criminal). Sir, we already have the “Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Why don’t we just enforce it?

Finally, Mr. Patterson is right Congress has done NOTHING and we have allowed them to do nothing. The time has come when all Americans must rally behind reasonable immigration reform. We must come together to debate and compromise to preserve our national sovereignty and security.

Carol Vrooman is a Ramona resident.