Frank asks if opposition to President Bush's proposed immigration reform extends beyond the hard right. I'm sure it does. For many people, the idea of granting amnesties to those who broke the law is repugnant. And, what sort of introduction to America is this if a potential new citizen's first interaction with the government is to be told that he broke the law, but it doesn't matter?
Unlike the nations of Europe, the US exists only as long as the constitution exists. France is France regardless of whether it's a dictatorship, monarchy or a liberal democracy. Same goes for the other nations of Europe. This is untrue of the US. If the laws of the Constitution disappeared tomorrow, so would the United States of America. The rest of the glue that makes the nations of Europe - culture, history, language - is simply not strong enough in the US. (The opposite is also true, acceptance of the Constitution makes an American, which is why Enoch Powell's River of Blood could never apply to the US.)
It is for this reason that it is imperative that immigrants to the US go through legal channels. It is also why newcomers are required to make an Oath of Allegiance when they become citizens. It is why school-children say the Pledge of Allegiance from the moment they enter kindergarten (around age 5).
Having said all that, let me hedge my bets. I have known a few illegal immigrants, some are even related to me. All of them have since been "legalized" through marriage. These people are law-abiding citizens and the US is lucky to have them.
The solution is to substantially increase the effort to prevent illegal immigration and, in exactly the same proportion, increase the numbers allowed to immigrate legally. The effort to reduce illegal immigration should be done on a country by country basis with bilateral agreements between the US and other countries. These agreements should ensure that the originating country is doing its best to reduce the flow of illegals, while the US is doing its best to take in as many as can be accommodated.
Most illegal immigrants are decent people who are desperate to come to the US and take advantage of the opportunities afforded there. But, they're illegal and thus, always living outside the law. That makes for a big pond for any would be terrorist to swim in if he wants. By forcing all these people to live as illegal immigrants and outside the law, the government is making it much easier for those who would attack America to find their way in and remain undetected.
Make it easier for people to immigrate legally and crack down on illegal immigration, which also enhances US security. If that's what the President is really after, then I'll swallow it.
