Photo-File VPC

Part III:

There are many reasons for many people to be displeased with the current immigration policy and its enforcement. One of the problems is that some people want to pick and choose what aspects need attention. Instead, it may be more prudent to take in all of the aspects and work out something that works for everyone.

One of the biggest issues is that global economic forces will impact the future of the U.S. and Mexican economy. Already there are reports of the death of the "maquiladora" in Mexico. Recently, reports that a firm near the border with Eagle Pass, Texas closed down its factory and just left. They took all their machinery and the management employees and headed south for Honduras.

Obviously, with the impact that China and India have already had by competing with the Mexican shops; now, Central America is ready to cut further market share from Mexico and that will translate into problems for the U.S.

It must pointed out that sometimes a problem for some is not a problem for others. For instance, some feel justified in complain that the illegal aliens are taking all of the jobs and driving down the wages for U.S. citizens or legal residents. But those who hire undocumented workers may see it another way. They may see it as a cheap alternative to paying someone a living wage, avoiding all of the red tape and expenses associated with paying Social Security and Medicaid. It is this different perspective that makes the overall policy difficult to enforce and modify.

One of the most important issues to consider in immigration policy reform is the frequent loss of life that is associated with the attempted immigration through the most dangerous crossing points. Recently, the U.S. Border Patrol indicated that with in the last week there were 13 bodies found in the desert south of the barren stretch of desert bordering I-8 between Gila Bend and Casas Grande.

Another is that there are National Security issues. The U.S./Mexican border is porous. There is no way to ignore that. One can drive from Palomas, New Mexico to Rodeo, Arizona without seeing any Border Patrol check points after the one near Palomas. Have terrorists already smuggled materials for making a nuclear bomb? Will they do it next month?

Mexico's population is growing at a tremendous rate. Add the growth of Central America and there will be a huge incentive for those young and old alike to attempt to immigrate illegaly if necessary to the U.S.

Strange as it may seem, there is a nursing shortage in the U.S. Nurses from India and the Philippines are being actively recruited for jobs all over the U.S. But after 9/11 the difficulty in completing the application process and the red tape has made it difficult for those who were in the pipe-line to actually get to the U.S.

Undocumented workers are regularly taken advantage of, robbed or violated and they do not file charges for fear of deportation. Police forces in many parts of the U.S. are dealing with this new type of crime wave that is under-report3ed butleads to increased crime that then affects legal residents and citizens.

Some people are calling for more and better security on the border. But, they may want some undocumented to be able to cross so that they can work in their homes and farms. Others may like the fact that the undocumented worker pays taxes (sometimes) but don't like the fact that they use public resources or send much of their earnings back to Mexico.

Given the myriad problems that abound in this arena it may be a while before we can come up with a new immigration policy and funds to enforce it that really works.

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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon

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