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Five Reasons Republicans Will Self-Destruct if They Support Amnesty

November 29, 2012 By 28 Comments

Henry Louis Mencken once observed that for, “every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean and wrong.” In the aftermath of their election shellacking, Republicans are coalescing around the notion that illegal alien amnesty legislation is a necessary step that solves their problems. In fact, such action would only erode the GOP base, and empower Democrats.

Party will Split. Polls show most Republican voters favor enforcement over amnesty. Core conservatives will reject any amnesty agenda fueled by the business wing of the GOP and lose faith in a party that is compromising their rule-of-law values. Given that 17 percent of self-identified conservatives voted for Obama in the recent election the lesson is – win back your party faithful first before you begin pandering to immigrant voters.

American Workers will Rebel. Bush-McCain-Kennedy couldn’t get amnesty passed in 2007 when the unemployment was 4.5 percent. Now that the unemployment rate has grown to 7.9 percent, it will be nearly impossible to convince Americans that amnesty offers them anything except more competition for jobs and a tougher scramble for limited community resources. Workers will wonder whose interests Republicans really have at heart.

Republicans will get no Credit. No matter how well intentioned the GOP might be heading into a bi-partisan negotiating session to enact amnesty legislation, past politics dictate that Democrats will take credit and accuse Republicans of being obstructionists. Republicans lose even if a bill wins.

Democrats will get 12 Million New Voters. Since this is one critical area that seems to elude Republicans the most, we’ll lay it out in the simplest possible terms:

Fact One:        Most low income people don’t vote for Republicans.
Fact Two:        Most illegal aliens are low income because they’re poorly skilled.
Fact Three:      An amnesty would not change that but it would make 12 million illegal aliens legally eligible for needed government benefits and thus, predisposed to vote for the party of big government.
Fact Four:        Republicans go the way of Kodak and Twinkies.

Amnesty Will Lead to More Amnesty. Legalization for 12 million illegal aliens would send a message worldwide that periodic amnesty is the de-facto American immigration policy, creating a powerful incentive for further flows and future amnesties.

Filed Under: National, Politics, Population, Society

Amnesty Watch – 3,000 Illegal Aliens Applying Every Day for Deferred Action

October 31, 2012 By 5 Comments

This past June, President Obama bypassed Congress and stunned the nation by unilaterally enacting a deferred action amnesty for young illegal aliens. At that time, many groups – including FAIR – estimated that upwards of 1.7 million people might apply but were dismissed as alarmists by amnesty advocates claiming that only a small number of select individuals would qualify.  Yet, based on the current flood of applicants, and future projections by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, that initial estimate appears astonishingly accurate.

From August 15 to the third week of October, about 200,000 illegal aliens submitted applications seeking relief from deportation and asking for work authorization.  As confirmed by Napolitano, about 3000 illegal aliens are flooding the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) every day with applications.  Based on the current rate, 416,000 applications can be expected by the end of this year.

The large volume of applications for deferred action, however, is likely to intensify in 2013, as Napolitano told a panel of educators this week, “I suspect that we may see a bulge of applications after the New Year when there’s either this administration or a new administration and when the policies are going to become clearer.”  This is one time we believe her. Illegal aliens may need a bit more time, clarity and more assurances that submitting applications will not subject them to deportation.  Despite the fact that the deferred action guidelines prohibit a denied applicant from being “referred to ICE for purposes of removal,” some illegal aliens apparently remain cautious about coming forward to apply.  As more applications are submitted and approved, that hesitation will dissipate, the ‘bandwagon” effect will kick in, and a mad dash for amnesty will increase the volume.

Napolitano didn’t suggest just exactly how big a bulge of applications could be expected next year but even if it were a 25% increase, USCIS could be on the receiving end of 3750 applications a day in 2013.  At that pace – combined with this year’s total of 416,000 – by the end of next year, 1,784,750 applications will have been received.  This total would be just slightly over the original estimates.

Given that almost 15% of the entire illegal alien population in the U.S. will be seeking amnesty, it begs the question of how the massive glut of applications can be carefully reviewed for background checks, how national security concerns are being addressed and how many applications will be ultimately approved.

Currently, the government is approving about 162 applications per day.  Even at that rate, USCIS would be hard-pressed to properly review each application.  But with 3000 new applications arriving each and every day, at what point does the backlog become so overwhelming – and the political pressure so intense – that USCIS simply implements a rubber-stamping assembly line?

Filed Under: Crime, Education, Jobs, Law, National, Politics, Population, Society

Ignoring Illegality a Holder Family Value

October 10, 2012 By 7 Comments

Brother of U.S. Attorney General Alleged to Have Hired Illegal Aliens

The Carolina Journal Online reports that William Holder, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s brother, may have hired illegal aliens at some, or all, of his McDonald’s franchise restaurants in Wake County, North Carolina.

The news organization uncovered evidence revealing that “some employees stated they did not have a Social Security Card, a green card or any other document that would give them the legal authority to work in the United States.”   Holder has denied knowingly hiring them.  The matter is under further investigation by the paper.  It is unclear – and highly doubtful – whether the matter is, or ever will be, addressed by law enforcement authorities.

The Attorney General cannot be held legally responsible for his brother’s behavior, of course, but one has to wonder whether his relentless crusade to assist illegal aliens was a corrupting influence on William’s alleged actions.  After all, Eric Holder has created within his Department of Justice (DOJ) an organizational culture of permissiveness for illegal immigration and encouragement for those who violate the law.

If it’s proven that Holder was cheating the system by hiring illegal aliens, Wake County residents should wonder if eating at his McDonald’s restaurants is safe.  If illegal aliens are preparing the food without being subject to the infectious and contagious disease screenings required of all legal immigrants, then maybe Holder isn’t serving up the healthy “Happy Meals” advertised.

But we’re really not surprised – the chicken McNuggets have come home to roost.  For 3 ½  years, the President has been using amnesty as political instrument, DHS Secretary Napolitano has gutted most interior enforcement, and Holder has transformed the DOJ into an instrument of intimidation against states that push their own immigration enforcement legislation.

The Obama/Napolitano/Holder unholy trinity of non-enforcement has created a new truth – that violating immigration laws in and of itself is entirely inconsequential.

The message to illegal aliens is “no worries” and the message to businesses – including William Holder’s franchises is – why fuss with following the law?


Filed Under: Border, Crime, Jobs, Law, Politics, Population, Society

A History Lesson Your Kid Won’t Hear in School – Share It with Them

September 7, 2012 By 4 Comments

The issue of legal immigration tends to get lost because the discussion is always focused on illegal immigration, but many of the same problems apply.

Probably most important is just the sheer volume of new arrivals. For most of our history, immigration has been very limited. The exception was 1905 to 1914 when America admitted about 900,000 people per year. Even though it was a very short period of time out of the entire century, many people assume that “Ellis Island” period defines our immigration history. It doesn’t. In fact, starting in 1915 America cut immigration in half for the next 70 years! One benefit we’ve seen from this period of lower immigration is that those who came had time to assimilate and succeed because they had less competition from other immigrants. In addition, it assured that American workers were not being displaced or their wages depressed by a surplus of new immigrant workers. Continued low levels of immigration after the Depression and World War II helped grow the American middle class which prospered while our economy flourished.

But then, starting in about 2000, America started admitting over one million immigrants annually. That’s like adding a new city the size of Dallas, Texas, every year. As a result, we’ve had large population increases and heavy demands placed on water, energy, schools, health care and overall mounting urban sprawl.

One important consideration is that legal immigrants coming in nowadays face a much different job market than existed 100 years ago. Our present economy demands high-tech skills, yet our admissions process continues to grant green cards based mostly on one family member petitioning for another family member. This is called “chain migration” and because it does not emphasize needed job skills, it creates a flow of poorly skilled immigrants who are often dependent on government.

Excessive levels of legal immigration strains limited resources and puts poor, elderly, disabled and minority Americans in stiff competition for scarce public benefits. And of course, all those immigrants need jobs so they compete with native-born workers who by any standard of fairness should have the first shot at any opportunity. Even if immigrants do find jobs, many don’t pay taxes. Since many are poor, they are eligible to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit which exempts them from paying taxes and in some instances the IRS writes them a check. With a high unemployment, a bad economy, and massive federal, state and local government debt, how many more people can America subsidize before the entire country sinks under its own weight?

The fact is that America’s immigration policy used to be adjustable; we turned the tap on when we needed workers and slowed the flow when times were tough. Unfortunately for the past 40 years, someone forget to turn off the faucet. A careful consideration of what the right levels of immigration really should be and how it helps or hurts us is long overdue. That is, after all, the purpose of immigration – to serve our country’s broad national interests.

We can have legal immigration – and should always welcome immigrants – but we need more sustainable and sensible levels so we better serve the needs and interests of those already here.

Filed Under: Jobs, Law, National, Politics, Population, Society

Journalist Society Says Adios to the Term “Illegal Aliens”

October 25, 2011 By 27 Comments

George Carlin once observed, “by and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.” He may be giving us that wry head cock and raised eyebrow right now after the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) has decided to recommend that newsrooms refrain from using the terms “illegal immigrant” and illegal alien.” The SPJ was concerned that “only courts can decide when a person has committed an illegal act.” More likely, the SPJ has buckled to fierce political pressure from illegal alien special interest groups.

Ensuring that judgment does not bleed into news reporting is a worthy goal for all free press, but shaping words to fit politically correct molds is simply another form of bias. Substituting the term “illegal alien” with “undocumented immigrant” or “worker” in order to placate powerful lobbies interjects opinion itself and surrenders the language to drive an agenda.

Journalistic guidelines dictate that disclosing a subject’s personal information – including immigration status – is not always integral to the story. But when it is, readers deserve clarity, not obfuscation.

The SPJ recommends using “undocumented workers.” The problem with that term is that with a few keystrokes, the illegality – the breaking of the law – is magically erased. “Illegal” disappears and with it, so too does regard for the rule of law. The SPJ claims that using the term “illegal”” presumes guilt but they seem just fine ignoring guilt when reporting even on broad classes of aliens who brazenly self-identify as residing in the U.S. illegally. Can’t have it both ways folks. The addition of the word “undocumented” suggests that those who have violated U.S. immigration laws are simply inconvenienced by not having the proper papers. But many illegal aliens do have documentation – it just doesn’t happen to rightfully belong to them. Finally, the term “workers” implies that all are gainfully employed, which many are not. But for the record, the seven million illegal aliens who do work are employed illegally and occupying jobs that rightfully belong to Americans.

The alternative use of “undocumented immigrants” is just as empty. These aren’t immigrants and this isn’t immigration. America is suffering from a policy of chaos and a flood of 12 million lawbreakers. Swapping the term “alien” for “immigrant” when referring to those who have broken the law is offensive to many legal immigrants. The distinction between legal and illegal is important. Coming to the Unites States the right way is a badge of honor for most immigrants.

There is no getting around it. The term “illegal alien” is the most legally precise, descriptive term in the lexicon. It delineates between one of only two possible categories; one either has legal status to be on U.S. soil or one is residing here illegally. “Illegal” means prohibited by law. Yes, entry without inspection into the U.S. is prohibited. And “alien” is a term that refers to a person who is not a citizen of the country. The term is well defined in 8 U.S.C. Section 1101. It is used by legal professionals across the board including the United States Supreme Court. It’s ok to say “illegal alien.”

Use it, but use it correctly. Don’t say someone is an illegal alien without the facts. That’s unacceptable and you’ll wind up in court. If based on due diligence, you have reason to believe the subject of a story is an illegal alien because credible sources have indicated he/she may be, use “alleged” illegal alien. But when the facts prove it and the circumstances are obvious, don’t be coy. For example, when referring to five hundred people at a rally holding “Illegal and Proud of It” signs, your readers will appreciate you reporting it accurately as a crowd largely composed of illegal aliens. Don’t water down stories about amnesty legislation for illegal aliens with references to “undocumented workers.” Why? Because amnesty legislation isn’t about giving needed documents, it’s about changing the law to erase the laws that were broken.

Why go through the fuss of changing the term “illegal alien” anyways? Altered to even the most preposterous euphemism we all know what it means – a person is here when he/she is not supposed to be. Leave well enough alone and avoid the hollow substitutes because ultimately, it takes more effort to conceal the truth than to reveal it.

Filed Under: Law, National, Politics, Population, Society

R.I. Governor Chafee’s Less Than Confident Response – Must See Video!

October 20, 2011 By 3 Comments

Gov. Lincoln Chafee has turned Rhode Island into a sanctuary state by executive order. One of his first acts as governor was to repeal his predecessor’s policy of having police cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He also bypassed the state legislature to grant in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens, and is considering offering Utah-style driving certificates to illegal aliens. Meanwhile, Rhode Island is suffering from acute budget deficits and has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.

Asked by a local reporter whether his actions might encourage more illegal immigration, Governor Chafee responds with an answer he himself doesn’t seem to believe.

Why should we?

Filed Under: Crime, Jobs, Local, Politics, Population, Society
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