The immigration issue has sparked a lot of heat from all sides, and promises to be a central issue for some time to come, particularly in the mid term 2006 congressional elections and in the upcoming 2008 presidential election.

Looking at the discussions, articles and demonstrations, I am not sure that all parties are even close to being on the same pages in understanding what the issues are.  We see demonstrations that are more about separatism, nationalism and even a sense that some want to conquer the southwest for Mexico. 

Hmm….In Hollywood’s case, maybe that’s ok….

We hear about racism, and national security; terrorism and discrimination; and even racial supremacy.  But what is rare is a focused discussion of the nuts and bolts of immigration.

So as a public service I will provide that context.  This is hardly a comprehensive review and essay, but I want to boil out the emotional rhetoric and determine which aspects are the most important.

Looking at the issue I break it down like this:

Legal immigrants-  these folks have one essential issue in the debate, and that is procedure.  How can they come here and become a citizen, or a documented worker?  What are the procedures?  That’s pretty much it.

They come, follow whatever the rules are, and get their green card.  Some eventually get granted citizenship.  Some go back home.  While waiting they obey the laws like anyone else or they are deported.  Included in here would be the migrant/guest workers, who would be here, work and then return home, or apply for permanent status. 

The biggest factor to remember is that these people only stand  to gain by the new laws, near as I can tell.  Yes there are hoops to jump, but I have met and heard many who think it’s worth it.

Illegal immigrants- Now here we get to the complicated issues.

• Employment issues
• Need versus exploitation-  Immigrant labor is a vital resource for some markets, and that fact is used to justify having people come here on guest worker visa’s and such, but when they do so illegally, they live outside the laws, including the ones that protect them from abuse and poor working conditions.  They are often paid sub minimum wages.  That is why a realistic guest worker or migrant worker system needs to be set up and followed: not just for enforcement but for safety and protection as well as a realistic meeting of job needs.
• Economic issues
• Costs in combating illegal immigration-  While it is tempting to say don’t pursue and save money, because of security we cannot let this be a free for all, so enforcement is going to happen.  As such we have costs that are easily in the billions annually, including:
• Detention and deportation expenses, including jail, transportation, administration and other costs.
• Border Patrol Manpower, equipment and infrastructure.
• Local Law Enforcement costs, also regarding manpower, resources and administration.
• Costs in supporting illegal immigrants.  By this I refer to the cost of Education, Health Care, Social Programs and other costs paid at a state and community level.  Illegals add to burden these organizatoins already face, though it bears understanding that those costs might not be significantly less if they were legal in a lot of cases.
• There is also the matter of the lives of aliens killed trying to get here using dubious and unsafe means.  There are unscrupulous people that will smuggle aliens in using any method they can think of, with no regard to the risk to the human cargo.

Border security is another one of the issues that really makes a difference.  Yes, we do need to discuss the fact that our physical borders are far too easy to penetrate.  Without playing the 9/11 card, the fact remains that they pose a threat with the present hostilities between the US and Al Qaeda.  An open or permeable border invites those who hate us to try to enter that way to avoid detection.

The biggest and final issue is the decision of what to do with the millions here illegally now. 

• Should they be given documented temporary status in some manner of amnesty program?  Historically amnesty programs are ineffective , and all they do is encourage more illegal immigrants.  But deporting them is not effective either, the Border Patrol’s Catch and Release program is a failure.  One of the elements of that is the (in my opinion) lack of support from the government of Mexico who count on the money the illegals here send home as one of their top sources of revenue for the country (along with tourism and oil).  People rightly observe that shutting the borders and deporting all illegals would devastate certain corners of the US job market (with so many necessary but unpopular jobs not having a workforce willing to do them), but it would just as badly hurt the Mexican economy as one of their biggest sources of revenue is dried up.

And that’s essentially it. It doesn’t seem all that difficult to grasp as an overall issue,  but too many people are making it about a lot of things that are fun to talk about about and make great headlines but they are not important in the real context.

Some invalid issues are claims that:

• This is racism against Mexicans:  Yes, people on both sides make race an issue, particularly in a perception that this is a move against Mexicans  but in principle the issue is the same if the people are Chinese, Canadian or Norwegian.  If there are ways to come here legally those should be made available, and used regardless of of the person’s nationality.  Contrary to the perception given by the medias preoccipation with the Mexican border, this is not an isolated issue with Mexico.
• Xenophobia:  While there is an undercurrent of this in the mix, it is a phantom issue, because the fact is that we depend on a certain amount of immigration.  Shutting our borders off and denying access will not help anyone, and will just make matters worse, as then the only way to get in, will be to get in illegally.  What is needed is a program, a set of policies that invites and encourages people to come legally.
• Discrimination:  I refer to this in the context of denying basic services and rights to illegals.  The issue is the most overplayed and the most essentially obvious.  Whether it is a nice thing or not, the fact remains that there are certain rights that are reserved for citizens in this country.  I could not go to many foreign countries and expect that kind of treatment, I fail to see why it is expected here.  Period.  But at the same time, there is the compassion that we owe all people, regardless of nationality or origin.  So we give more then we are required to because America does claim a higher moral standard. But make no mistake, there is no right to these services, and illegals demanding them is frustrating and misses the point.

The fallout out from all of this is that the politicians are working themselves into a lather over the public perception of this issue, worried about the retaliation from the immigrant community.  From what I am seeing, and I admit that my perception is limited, it is the illegal community more in an uproar, most legal immigrants understand the need for restraint and change.  The illegals do have a vested interest in what happens to them now, but, and no offense is intended, they don’t have the right to dictate policy when they refused to come here legally.

Even more concerning is how much influence is being applied from Mexico.  Mexico is more invested in sending us people then we are to get them. 

So all the protesters and all the shouting in the streets is pointless.  The upside down US flags, and Mexican Flags flying over communities are being done to add emotional content to the issue, and add nothing of any value to the discussion.  Trying to make this about Mexican rights would make a difference if this was actually Mexico.  This is about what is in the best interests for all Americans, not just a handful.

And make no mistake, I see the sense in a lot of the less popular aspects of the laws, but I also see the sense in making immigrants abide by the laws of the land they want to enter.  I see the sense in making the people who help them enter illegally share the penalty of that illegal activity.  I see the sense in making employers abide by employment laws and pay the penalty for hiring illegals.

The bottom line is, and these are the money questions to me,  what sense is there to encourage illegal immigration?  What is gained by it that cannot be gained by enforcing the rules?  How is the country better served by allowing it?  Cannot the needs of the immigrants be served equally as well by coming here legally?  What is the tangfible benefit to society in turning a blind eye to it?

Or is this just rationalization and justification of illegal activities by the people who commit them?  If it is, why should I support such arguments that are clearly self serving and are contrary to the factual elements of the issue. 

If someone would like to take up that argument, and show convincing reason, not emotional rhetoric, but logical factual reasons, then i will be happy to take up their side of the cause.

Until then, it seems to me that it is a case of the inmates trying to rule the asylum.