Confronting Illegal Immigration: Understanding Who Illegal Immigrants Really Are

We previously published a brief history about U.S. immigration ("Our Never Ending War on Illegal Immigration: A Brief History"). As noted, every president since Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s has promised the American People that they would do whatever was necessary to end the onslaught coming primarily from across our southern border. And yet, virtually every one of those presidents lied.

Not only did they not take steps to halt illegal immigrations, most took steps to open the border even further. They’ve cut budgets, restricted enforcement, changed laws to allow for easier immigration, and permitted cities to openly defy federal immigration law.

President Obama even sued the State of Arizona to prevent them from enforcing immigration laws (and in a legal first, allowed a foreign power---Mexico---to join the lawsuit). The end result is that there are now some 11 million illegal residents now living in the United States.

According to a December 4, 2024 study by the Department of Government Efficiency, the U.S. is spending 2% of its budget on illegal immigration. How much is that to American taxpayers? Roughly $150.7 billion dollars.  While President Trump is doing what few before him has done---keep his word on illegal immigration---the question which arises is whether he can reverse decades of subversion to our national sovereignty?

With 11 million individuals illegally living in the U.S. (which, no doubt, has to include terrorist’s cells from the Middle East), just who are these people who knowingly broke our laws to be here? Why did they come? What are their long-term intentions? Are they hoping for amnesty and eventual citizenship or is this just about employment? In this issue, we’re going to take a look at who these people are.

When most of us think of illegal immigrants, a certain stereotype comes to mind. We tend to think of them as Hispanic, mainly Mexican, illiterate, minimally skilled, and so forth, but what’s the truth?

As of 2022, illegal immigrants represented 3.3% of the U.S. population and 23% of the foreign born population. Naturalized citizens make up roughly 23.4 million of the foreign born population or about 49%. Legal permanent residents number approximately 11.5 million people, which is 24% of the foreign born population living the U.S.  Temporary lawful residents (comprising 2 million people) are just 4% of the population. So, where do these individuals come from?

Mexico is the home of some 4 million illegally. Immigrants. Although Mexicans were historically has represented the largest segment, since 2022, that number has declined. Today, it’s just around 37% of “undocumented” immigrants. The majority of those here illegally come to fill temporary agricultural jobs (many return to Mexico after the harvesting season has ended), while some end up employed in domestic and service positions.  

The largest increase in the illegal population has come primarily from the Caribbean (mainly Haiti, Trinidad and Jamacia), Europe (especially southeastern Europe), Asia, and believe it or not, Canada (many of these are of Asian descent).  Central America has contributed a large percentage of illegal immigrants as well, especially the area known as the “Northern Triangle”.

 The “Northern Triangle” is comprised of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.  As of 2022, these three countries represented 1.9 million of the illegal population living in the U.S.(El Salvador 750,000, Guatemala 675,000, and Honduras 525,000).  India, which is typically considered a part of Asia, is responsible for approximately 725,000 illegal residents now in the U.S.

Other countries with large “undocumented” populations in the U.S. include Venezuela (which has jumped from approximately 55,000 in 2007 to  270,000 in 2022), Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic,  as well as the Philippines, China, and the former USSR.  

Where do the majority of these people tend to settle? California tops the list with about 1.8 million illegal residents. Following California is Texas (1.6 million), Florida (1.2 million), New York (650,000), New Jersey (475,000), and Illinois (400,000).

In addition, there are several other states with large populations of illegal immigrants, including Washington State, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The states with the fastest growing populations of “undocumented” residents are Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland. It’s not surprising that the majority of these states also provided so-called “sanctuary cities”.

Illegal residents, as of 2022, made up 4.8% of the total U.S. workforce (down from 5.4% in 2007). That’s roughly 8.3 million workers. The majority of these individuals tend to occupy the lower rungs of the labor market. Many of the women find jobs working in the hospitality industry in housekeeping, as domestic workers, cooks, or working in factories.

Men tend to be employed in construction related jobs, agriculture and farms (including racetracks), handymen, and odd jobs. Given that they make up 3.3% of the population and comprise 4.8% of the workforce, many obviously work multiple jobs.

Nevada has the largest percentage of illegal migrants in their workforce with 9%. Texas and Florida each have 8% while illegal workers make up 7% of the workforce for California, Maryland, and New Jersey each.

According to a November 24, 2024 Pew Poll, 64% of Americans believe that illegal residents should be offered a pathway to remain in the U.S. The largest majorities favoring a legal pathway for the “undocumented”  are naturalized or native born Hispanics, Asians, and Black Americans.

White Americans are nearly evenly divided, with a slight majority favoring some sort of legal pathway. It bears mentioning that 88% of Trump supporters favor immediate deportation of all illegal immigrants.

Younger Americans (mostly Gen Z and some Millennials) are mostly likely to support a means for illegals residents to remain while older adults (especially Boomers and Gen X) believe that illegals need to be deported and should follow the law if they want to come to America.   

Nevertheless, 96% agreed that breaking the law (in this case, immigration law) should not be rewarded or encouraged. 94%  also thought that allowing illegal immigrates to remain was unfair to those trying to the right thing and follow the law. Lastly, 83% said that illegal immigrants took resources aways from U.S. citizens.

When asked what a possible “pathway to legal residency” might look like, 79% said that a background check was mandatory. 52% said they must be employed. 25% believe that illegal residents must pay a fine or penalty if they want to remain. Not qualifying or solely qualifying for residency is having a “anchor baby” (a child born in the U.S. by a mother here illegally) by a margin of 84%.

Owning a resident should not qualify as the primary reason to be allowed to remain according to 88% of those polled. (half of those said it should be considered at all). 89% said owning a business in itself shouldn’t be the only reason to qualify for residency.  

Finally, why did some 11 million individuals leave their homes to come to America illegally? There’s little doubt they knew that doing so was an intentional violation of U.S. immigration law, if for no other reason, that their home country has similar, and more often, stricter immigration laws.

The majority of individuals come to America strictly for economic reasons. They’re looking for a job. Even low paying jobs here are viewed as far better than what’s available at home. Often, they leave poor countries with third world economies. There are few jobs for most workers, especially those without a good education or connections. It’s not uncommon for them to send money back home to support their families. There are some communities which depend on this money to survive.

Their home countries often lack an adequate social safety net. To make matters worse, their governments tend to be run by incompetent or corrupt leaders and bureaucracies, making actual reform unlikely. Often they can't even turn to the judicial system or churches (which has historically sided with the wealthy). As a result, many head to the U.S., bypassing other nations  even though some of them have a stronger economy, but due to stricter immigration laws, they are unable to remain.

Studies have shown that few of those who come to America illegally are actually interested in citizenship per se, and they have no interest in becoming part of the great “mixing pot”, often refusing to learn or use the English, adopt to the traditions, values, or laws (which is not unusual even among legal immigrants, depending on others to accommodate them instead).

Increasingly, many of these immigrants come here claiming “amnesty”. However, according to international law, someone seeking amnesty must be fleeing their home country due to persecution for religious, racial, ethnic, or similar reasons.  Unfortunately, economic reasons don’t count. Secondly, they must seek sanctuary in the next closest (and safest) country. That means they don’t get to randomly choose what country they go to.

However, some do come here with the intent of staying permanently.  Pregnant women often use the 14^th Amendment as a means to obtain residency (infamously known as “anchor babies”). While intended for the newly emancipated slaves, the laws states that any child born in the U.S. is automatically a U.S. citizen.  Of course, you can’t deny a child their mother…or father…or siblings…or grandparents, etc. It’s easy to see how it can spiral out of control, especially when dealing with individuals who come from strong extended family cultures.

Others simply try to blend in. Some even try to register to vote, thinking that might be a means to establish residency (and some states now allow illegal residents to vote in local elections). You also have various groups (mostly religious oriented) who aid newly arrived immigrants by providing them with “sanctuary” in a church. They assist them to find housing, employment, and even manipulate the system to get healthcare and other taxpayer benefits, and, of course, in evading immigration officials. They will even help to get their children into public schools complete with a translator at the taxpayer’s expense!

So, there you have it. A factual picture of those individuals who, for whatever reason, have decided to bypass the law and come to the United States illegally. The majority are here strictly for economic purposes, although some do come for legitimate reasons. Determining the difference is difficult, time consuming, and expensive.  Many of their home countries were happy to see them go regardless. They couldn’t afford to provide for them anyway.

Deportation, while providing an immediate solution, is also a temporary one. It doesn’t address the "why" these people are fleeing or prevent them from returning (which is likely) and thus perpetuating the cycle. What are some of the long term solutions? Certainly, addressing our foreign policy is one answer. We can’t be destabilizing countries solely because we disagree with their political or economic philosophy. Promoting increased trade and greater self-sufficiency at home through the development of natural resources as well as greater investment in R&D, especially in emerging technologies, is another.

 However, stricter immigration requirements (such as enforcing laws on employers on employers of illegal workers,  revoking tax exemption status on religious groups adding illegal immigrants and mandatory jail time and/or fines, making more green cards or visas available with improved tracking, requiring a minimum level proficiency in English, and tighter border security are just as important.  

 Thank you for reading "Another Opinion", the Op/Ed blog page for the "militant middle".  Here at "A/O" we truly value our readers. At A/O we seek the facts as they exist, not partisan talking points.  We hope you find our articles informative and engaging. Comments are welcome, provided they are not vulgar, insulting or demeaning.  Another Opinion is offered without charge and is directed toward all independent and free-thinking individuals. We ask, however, that you "like" us on whatever platform you found us on in order to keep our articles available for free to others. Lastly, in order to keep costs down, we depend on passive marketing, and therefore, depend on our readers to please forward our posts along. Below you will find links to the sources we used in writing this article. Thank you. 

 

Illegal Immigration Cost U.S. Taxpayers $150.7b: DOGE

What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.

Most Americans say undocumented immigrants should be able tostay legally under certain conditions

Demographic Divides Immigration and Diversity 

Fried Chicken, Illegal Immigration, and Taxes

 

I'm just a "Southern boy" at heart. I grew up in the South. I've spent lots of time on working on farms, taking care of cows, pigs, chickens, picking corn and beans, hanging tobacco, stacking hay in the loft, mucking stalls, and everything else that goes with it. I've also lived in big and small cities like San Francisco California, Norfolk Virginia, Memphis Tennessee, Jacksonville Florida, Bowling Green and Glasgow Kentucky, among others.  

I've also lived off and on in the suburbs of a moderate size, sleepy and slightly backwards mid-western town which dons its "Southern" persona for two weeks out of the year, culminating in a overhyped and overpriced two minute horse race, after which it goes snuggly back to sleep and dreams of its former days of prominence.   

As someone with particularly deep Southern roots, I especially enjoy my fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, (no sausage in the gravy please. That's "Yankee" style gravy corporate restaurant chains try to pass off as "Southern" or "country". It ain't, plus they can charge you more). I also love fried apples with cinnamon, and fried white corn. You'll find that in the South almost everything we eat is fried.

That tradition was born of the Scots, Irish, Welsh, and Northern English who settled primarily in the southeastern portion of the country along the Appalachian Mountains, from Kentucky in the north down to Florida and over to Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri which created a culture and tradition uniquely their own, including what we ate. Nevertheless, for some reason many of us don't seem to have our typical "Southern" dinners as often anymore because of the price of everything.

Chicken used to be considered "the poor man's steak" because, next to fish, it was one of the cheapest and healthiest meats one could eat. However, nowadays, chicken is the premier meat as more and more people have turned away for overpriced beef, which is seen by many so-called "health experts" as being unhealthy thanks to pesticides, growth hormones, various drugs and antibodies, and dyes.   

Today, there's hardly any restaurant which doesn't sell chicken. In some cities they even put chicken on their pizzas! Did you know that approximately 70 billion chickens are consumed worldwide every year? That's comes to around 202 million per day or 140,000 chickens per minute. Americans alone bake or fry approximately 9.5 billion chickens every year.  

In 1957, the average weight of a chicken was two pounds. By 1978, with chicken on the verge of overtaking beef and pork, the average chicken weighed in at 4 pounds. As of 2005, the ordinary chicken was a hefty 9 1/4 pounds. Today, it tops out close to 12 pounds! Much of that is enhanced feed. Some of it isn't. It's chemicals like growth hormone.

To turn this around, as of 2020, most people ate roughly 82 pounds of red meat annually. That same year, we ate 127.2 pounds of chicken (to put that in perspective, globally speaking, the average person only consumed 35.7 pounds of chicken, meaning that we're eating about 40% times the recommended amount.

Did you know that Iowa and Ohio are the two largest consumers of chicken? They annually eat 54,957 and 52,690 of those little cluckers respectively. The highest ranking Southern states are Georgia in 5th place and Texas in 6th. Georgians ate 31,641 chickens while the Lone Star State munched down on 30,527.

In 2014, when Trump was elected to office, the average price for a one pound  boneless chicken breast was $3.47 (the previous low, in 2011, when the same one pound boneless breast cost $3.10). By the end of Trump's term, the price for that same one pound chicken breast was $2.94.

In February 2020, just after the start of the Biden Administration, that one pound boneless chicken breast would cost consumers $3.00. Halfway through Biden's term, in September 2022, you'd be shelling out $4.75. As of July 2024, the average cost for that boneless chicken breast was $3.95.

When we look at the price of sugar, it isn't any better.  A pound of white processed sugar (which is essential for the Southern tradition of "sweet tea") was $0.63 in January 2014. In June 2017, it was slightly to $0.66. By April 2020 it had dropped to $0.64 per pound.  

However, starting around May 2020, sugar prices began to climb from $0.65 in May to $0.69 in November 2021. September 2022 saw sugar prices  reach a new plateau high of $0.84. By September 2024, sugar had become "sweet gold" when it hit  $0.97 per pound. As of July 2024, the price of sugar was selling for a whopping $1.00 a pound!

Ground roasted coffee, that staple of civilization, has seen similar hikes in price. Selling at $2.75 a pound in July 2004, it skyrocketed to $5.01 in March 2014. It drop by December 2019 to $4.05. As of April 2021, a average one pound can of "Joe" would run you $4.75.  If that didn't wake you up, the prices by December 2022 sure would when they hit a record $6.47 a pound. By mid-year 2024, that same pound of coffee was  down slightly to $6.31. What about just stopping by "Mickey D's" instead?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the costs of fresh biscuits, muffins, and rolls rose 134.49% in 2024 over 1997 prices. McDonald's "McDouble" sandwich went from $1.19 in 2014 to a fat $3.19.  A medium order of French fries increased from $1.59 to $3.79 over the same time frame. Overall, McDonald's price have doubled over the last ten years.

Overall, the cost of eating out rose 60%, more than double the inflation rates from 2014 to 2024. McDonald's prices rose the most---100%--- over the period from 2014 to 2024 with Subway's rising the least at 39%. Taco Bell's prices increased 81% while Arby's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Chic-fil-A all rose by 55%.

The fact of the matter is that the price of nearly everything has gone up. The inflation rate of food prices was 3.3% in 2014. In 2015 is had dropped to 0.8 %. The following year it was -0.5% (when was the last time you saw food prices actually go down?). By the end of 2019, the inflation rate of food  had risen slightly, to 1.8%.

With the incoming Biden Administration, the food inflation rate jumped to 3.9% in 2020. The very next year, in 2021, the inflation rate for food had risen to 6.3%, but that turned out to be nothing compared to 2022. That year consumers were robbed when the food inflation rate hit a staggering 10.4%!  

The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reported that August 2022 saw the highest rate of food inflation---11.4%---since May 1979. Things finally cooled off when, by 2023, it had dropped off to 2.7% and then, finally, to 2.2 thus far in 2024 (just in time for an election. Imagine that).

 So, why do economists tell us that we're teetering on a recession but Vice President Kamala Harris says  everything is fine? Why does Ms. Harris have this long list of things she wants to start working on starting "day one" when she and "Slow Joe" have had four years to produce numbers like these? How can Americans afford another four years of prices like these?

When we look at wages, Statista reported in their June 13, 2024 that from April 2021 through April 2023, the average real hourly earnings declined over for 25 consecutive months. Nominal wages grew by 22.7% since 2020. However, consumer prices rose by 21%, meaning that workers just barely beat inflation by 1.7%. So, if you feel you're barely able to tread water, you're not imagining it.

Ms. Harris talks about curtailing illegal immigration to one group of potential voters and turns around and says she's going to create a easier path to citizenship to others, especially for those seeking "asylum". From 2007 through 2019, illegal immigrant numbers in the United States had been decreasing.

However, 2022 marked the beginning of a reversal of that trend when the number of illegal immigrants reached 11 million (which is still below the peak of 12.2 million in 2007).  Still, illegal immigration makes up 3% of our total population and nearly a quarter of the foreign born population in the U.S..

By the way, does Harris realize that most of these illegal migrants aren't coming here for citizenship? Statistics show they're actually coming here for a job. Some may claim it's "amnesty" they're here for but that isn't necessarily so. It's to get a regular paycheck. However, by applying for "asylum", it puts them into a different category and delays their review process thereby allowing them additional time to find a way to stay.  

These individuals  can't openly admit  say they're "job immigrates". The reason is because "job immigration"  is not recognized by the U.S. State Department, the UN, or even Amnesty International as a legitimate reason to seek entry into a country. Besides, international law requires anyone seeking amnesty to apply to the next closest safe country, no apply to the United States first!

Another key factor often mentioned by Kamala Harris is education and debt. Higher education is expensive. It always has been expensive. It's not uncommon for students to carry at least some debt which is why many find part time jobs to help with expenses.

70% of students graduating with a Bachelors degree has some measure of debt.  About 35% of all undergraduates make use of federal and state grants or loans. Those with certain majors such as science, mathematics, computer science/robotics, finance/economics/accounting, and engineering---degrees in high demand. In some cases, employers will help pay off their student debt!

Those with the lowest---or no debt---when they graduate are those attending trade schools. An average of $10,000 in debt for trade schools vs. 36,000 for a BA/BS degree. Getting a degree in one of the trades, such as carpentry, electricity, or plumbing, HVAC are in high demand and  is faster---six months to two years to complete compared to four years for a Bachelor's degree.

 Many start earning while still in school as apprentices, and most have jobs before they graduate. The median income for a trade school graduate is $42,000 compared to $36,000 for a four year undergraduate. Statistically, degrees in the arts, music, gender or racial studies, or philosophy face the lowest prospects of employment and tend to have the largest debt. They also earn less than average.  

So, here's the rub. Students graduating from college, many of whom with degrees that have little demand in the job market that doesn't involve "you want to supersize those fries?" are demanding that taxpayers paid for their poor decision making skills. The Biden/Harris Administration has placed so-called "debt forgiveness" at or near the top of their domestic priorities.

Thus far, Biden has authorized "forgiving" $150 billion dollars which covers about five million students It's worth mentioning that with "debt forgiveness" the debt just doesn't magically disappear with the stroke of a pen. The government assumes the debt, which means taxpayers pick up the tab...as usual.

As Vice President, Harris has supported Biden's efforts to eliminate student debt. She also backed forgiving debt between $10,000 and $20,000 for every borrower. That, however, was shot down by the Supreme Court. It should be pointed out that former President Donald Trump opposes all out debt forgiveness but supports restructuring debt payback such as eliminating interest rates and other fees.

We've come a long way from fried chicken, biscuits and gravy to illegal immigration and student debt, but each of these issues deeply affect every working class American. We face a rising poverty rate as more and more of our fellow citizens are unable to keep up with rising prices (especially medical) and ever increasing taxes (which I believe should be voted on by registered voters as originally intended).  

Illegal immigration serves the interests of Wall Street. It creates a artificial demand for jobs, which drives down wages and benefits (in many cases eliminating benefits altogether). It also increases the demand on our taxpayer funded social safety net. You can bet that if the ruling elite didn't benefit from illegal immigration, it wouldn't still be happening.

It's time we put working class Americans at the top of our national domestic policy. If we continue with the same old smoke and mirrors game of politics, our collective future looks bleak regardless of who occupies the Oval Office or controls Capitol Hill. VP Kamala Harris has not just told us what she wants to do, her actions has shown us what she intends to do. The only real question then is not whether you can live with it, but whether this is what you want for your children and grand children to live with?

 

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Federal Reserve Bank/St. Louis: Average Price: ChickenBreast, Boneless (Costs per Pound/Grams 453.6 Grams) in U.S. City Average

McDonald's menu prices have increased by over 100% during the last decade: study

Federal Reserve Bank/St. Louis: Average Price: Sugar, White, All Sizes (Costs per Pound/453.6 Grams)  in U.S. City Average

Food Inflation in the United States (1968-2014)

Charted: Inflation Across the U.S. Fast Food Chains (2014 -2024)

Statista: Have Wages Kept Up With Inflation?

 

What Kamala Harris has said (and done) about student loansduring her career

Here Illegally? Want to Avoid Deportation? Just Get Married!

The White House is giving bridal gifts to almost 500,000 couples! NBC News and other news services have recently reported that President Biden  plans on issuing a executive order which will "shield" illegal immigrants from being deported, that is if they're lawfully married to a U.S. citizen. In fact, the order will instantly provide legal status to nearly 500,000 illegal residents right off the bat!

The key requirement of this executive order is that the immigrant in question must have been in the U.S. for a minimum of 10 years. The legislation will automatically give the individual access to a three year green card, or work permit, allowing them to openly work in the U.S. and draw benefits. Can you think of a better way to flaunt your immigration status to ICE and the Border Patrol than uttering two simple little words---"I do"?

Interestingly, the executive order comes just two weeks after Biden issued a executive order to allow immigration officials full authority to deport immigrants illegally here without processing their asylum requests. Sounds an awful lot like a President who is either not sure of what he's doing or is trying to pander to both sides of the issue. Thus, there's a few points which I think needs to be addressed here.

Well, first off, they aren't "undocumented". I'm sure they have ample documentation. It's just that they don't have a green card, meaning they are in the U.S. illegally, making them a criminal. and there's roughly 11.4 million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S..

So, in order to remove the deportation "Sword of Damocles" from over their heads, all they need to do is find a willing partner (which doesn't have to be consummated in any form or fashion), stay married (at least on paper) for about a year, and then get divorced

Secondly, this legislation should prove to everyone on both sides of the border that without a shadow of doubt that the U.S. Government isn't serious about stopping illegal immigration at the border nor has it ever been serious about stopping it. If it was the national security risk they've claimed in the past, it would have been stopped by now.

The fact of the matter is that businesses want and need cheap labor who are more concerned with having a job than about benefits or even job safety. It true that many of these individuals who take jobs most of us won't. That's mainly because the job doesn't pay very well, there's rarely any benefits, and many times the job is unsafe or unhealthy. Also, since they're here illegally, they are unlikely to rock the boat.

It's also a fact that with this new found abundance of labor increases demand for available jobs. Higher demand drives down wages as competition increases. But it's not just wages, it's benefits too. With rising inflation, people will be to frightened about losing their job to rock the boat either. A win-win for businesses and a lose-lose for workers.

Of course, businesses aren't the only ones to benefit. Unions stand to benefit too. For decades unions have been hemorrhaging  money due to declining membership. They hope that many of these "undocumented" individuals will take some of the low paying union jobs. since their union dues will go a long way in filling their depleted coffers.

In addition, a number of religious groups and their service organizations have quietly and not so quietly been urging individuals and families to cross the border anyway they can. They believe their status as a "church" will keep ICE agents out long enough for them to find  appropriate transportation, housing and work. Besides, they're a "church" which makes them exempt from following the law, or so they think. 

These organizations also assist them in finding ways to take advantage of legal loopholes to secure taxpayer based services such as medical and entry of their children into public schools. Of course, ultimately they hope they'll become active members of their "flock" and make regular deposits to the collection plate. Not only will this build membership and improve the church financially, it also give them greater political clout.

Lastly, with a change in immigration status, I'm sure some entrepreneuring individuals will set up a "marriage broker"service. These modern day "shadchens" (a Yiddish  term for a "matchmaker") could specifically cater to each illegal immigrants particular situation  to help find a willing ---no-strings-attached---pseudo-spouse who's looking for cash---oops, I mean "love"---and  future short term mate quickly. I bet you'll see all sorts of these quickie wedding joints suddenly start springing up along the southern border. Who knows, perhaps a few "working girls" would be willing expand their professional services!

The bottom line here is really simple. President Biden is openly showing the American People that Washington isn't serious about stopping or reversing  illegal immigration anymore than they are willing to deport those already here. It's just too profitable. We've been pandered too and given lip service for decades.  Most, if not all, of what we've been told has been lies. Can it be any more obvious of the contempt the ruling class has for ordinary Americans?

Therefore, we can either continue to accept lies as business as usual and keep our mouths shut or demand transparency and elect people willing to defy corporate lobbyists and party bosses and have the backbone to do something about the border crisis.  And for those who are willing to do so on our behalf, we must given them our unwavering support.

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NBC News:  Undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens will be shielded from deportation under new Biden plan

Biden to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented spouses

Matthews: Illegal immigrants double under Biden---and that's just the start

MPI: Profile of Unauthorized Population: United States

FAIR: How Many Illegal Aliens Are In The United States? 2023Update

Churches get more involved in immigration issue

Immigration As President Teddy Roosevelt Saw It

There are currently about 15.5 million illegal immigrants living in the United States at of 2021. With approximately 1.8 million or more coming annually, that figure could be a lot higher. Many who are coming are now claiming to seek "amnesty". The question, however, is just what is meant by "amnesty"? The answer is jobs.  Like most immigrants, they want a better life for themselves and their family. Unlike immigrants of the past, however, many don't want to assimilate.  

Few have any interest in becoming a U.S. Citizen or in learning to speak English. To want to cling to familiar ways, values, and traditions. They establish enclaves which resemble their homeland than it does the United States. Some even choose to fly their native country's flag, sometimes over our own which is seen as highly offensive.

A few demand to have their children taught, at taxpayer expense, in their native tongue rather than in English. Why? Because this is where they happen to live,work, and socialize but it isn't their "home". That's hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Yet, they want jobs, and for many, any job will do. Of course, that has been the hallmark of immigrants since time immemorial.  Whereas in the not too distant past most immigrants left the "Old Country" and all that entails behind, newer immigrants maintain a much closer relationship with their former country. In fact, many routinely send money from these jobs back to the towns and villages they left. 

Mexican workers, for instance, send an average of 13.4% pf their paycheck back home to family and friends. In 2002, approximately $800 billion dollars was sent home by migrant workers here in the U.S.. Many of these communities are in fact dependent on the money sent home to survive.  

Attempts to secure our borders, as any sovereign nation is entitled to do, has been met with harsh criticism from many of the immigrants themselves, from religious institutions and businesses to stand to be impacted economically, from foreign leaders who reject our right to protect and secure our borders (as they themselves have done), and by a few other misguided individuals. In light of this, I have to wonder what would our Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President, have thought about this?

"TR" or "Teddy" (which, thanks to his crisp upper crust New York accent, sounded more like "Teedy") as President Roosevelt was often called, was the product of his times. He epitomized everything the United States stood for at turn of the 20th Century, and that included a sense of patriotism that we would find hard to understand today. As he said in one of his most famous speeches, made in 1907, we have room for one language, one flag, and loyalty to one nation---the United States of America.  

As an aside, from 1900 through 1915, which included the years "TR" was president, an estimated 15 million immigrants came to the United States, most of them from Europe, especially Eastern Europe.  That means that 13% of the U.S. population was born somewhere other than the United States. Today that number of 47.9 million as of September 2022, which represents 14.6% of the population (the high was 14.8% in 1890).  

I've come across a copy of that speech, posted by BOBWASTINGTIME about seven years ago,  which deals primarily with immigration and what should be expect of those who come to our shores in search of a better life. The video (a recreation of President Roosevelt's 1907 "Immigration Speech") originally produced by One America News Network. The video lasts just 59 seconds but is well worth watching. I think the words of our 26th President should still apply. What do you think?  

Video: Immigration Quote President Roosevelt 1907

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TheodoreRoosevelt Quotable Quote: 1907 Immigration Speech

Money Mexican migrants send back home up 13.4% in 2022

A town in Mexico survives entirely on money sent back by U.S.migrants

Migrant works sent home almost $800 billion in 2022. Whichcountries are the biggest recipients?

Immigration During Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency

Turnabout and Consequences: Illegal migrants in Liberal Martha's Vineyard

There's a certain comedic justice unfolding at Martha's Vineyard. Perhaps a better expression would be a comeuppance for the Limousine Class of liberals and conservatives living behind their gated communities on the posh getaway island of the rich and somewhat infamous. 

For those of you not familiar with the situation, about 50 illegal immigrants (the establishment media is calling them "migrants" and "future asylum seekers") were dumped off in front of the homes of some of the nation's wealthiest and most powerful residents, which includes the Obamas, the Clintons, Oprah Winfrey, and the Kennedy's, on Martha's Vineyard, which is an exclusive enclave off the coast of Massachusetts. Somehow, it's just seems appropriate, and why not?   

After all these individuals have been actively encouraging illegal immigration along our borders for  so-called "humanitarian" purposes for decades. They even symbolically declared Martha's Vineyard to be a "sanctuary destination", apparently assuming no one would actually take them up on their rhetoric. Well apparently no one told Florida Governor Rick DeSantis (R) that it was "BS" designed to win votes and that no one really meant it.

The Florida governor apparently reached out to about 50 "migrants" in Texas and offered them a one way ticket to swanky Martha's Vineyard where they could expect housing, food, and all the usual amenities the Limousine Class promises those who cross illegally into the border states (they also provided them with $10 gift cards from McDonalds).  

Attorneys for the Boston based "Lawyers for Civil Rights", a nonprofit group which represents primarily liberal causes, is currently representing 30 of the 50 recent arrivals (mostly from Venezuela). They claim their clients were "misrepresented" and cite a brochure given to the "migrants" promising housing, food, and cash assistance.  The brochure allegedly originated from an organization run by Governor DeSantis.

It should be noted that Venezuela has been in economic and political freefall  due primarily because of U.S. led economic sanctions. The sanctions result from a pissing contest starting in 2014 between former U.S. President Obama and the late Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez. The resulting sanctions triggered economic and political instability throughout the region (and devastated Venezuela). The meltdown has slowly been finding its way along the U.S. border.

Although numerous reasons have been cited (depending on who you ask), the primarily reason most often mentioned is Venezuela's cozy relationship with America's arch-nemesis, Cuba, which has survived an 59 year old (and largely failed) embargo amid claims of civil rights violations and election fraud by the Chavez Administration (not like the U.S. has much room to talk on the later issues). 

While the above mentioned resources (along with others) are available as outlined in the brochure, they are for those determined by the State Department to be refugees, which is a very specific term and generally applies to those forced to leave their country to evade persecution for political, ethnic, or religious reasons.  It does not recognize "economic refugees" (economic refugees are those seeking to improve their economic condition).

At present, it doesn't appear that any of the 50 individuals who voluntarily undertook the trip from Texas to Martha's Vineyard qualify. As an aside, the attorneys representing these so-called "migrants" expect that some or perhaps all of their clients will ultimately qualify as refugees as defined by the State Department (with the proper coaching no doubt).

The attorneys are also alleging that the relocation program by DeSantis and Abbott violates their client's "rights" under the Fourth and 14th amendments, as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Apparently those having illegally entered the United States are entitled to the same rights as U.S. citizens, which also overlooks the fact that these individuals are, by definition, criminals until a federal court determines otherwise. Therefore, while certain international and domestic laws would seem applicable, their legal protection would be limited. 

But then, who knows? Perhaps the newest way to achieve the "American Dream" is to enter the country illegally (immigration laws? We don't need no stinking immigration laws!"), find some bleeding heart liberal attorneys who are starving for some national notoriety, and sue the state and/or governor!

The old way was just a waiting game. It required the illegal alien to hide under some religious organization's wing until some poll told the president that voters wouldn't oust them out if they granted amnesty to a few million illegal immigrants. It worked for Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Obama!

Governor DeSantis, who is a likely Republican presidential candidate in 2024, said that no laws were broken, despite claims by the Lawyers for Civil Rights. The $12 million dollar program, based a similar program by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), is aimed at redirecting illegal immigrants from non-sanctuary cities and states to sanctuary locations.  I guess liberal politicians should be careful what they promise. They just might have to deliver.

Abbott has sent so-called migrants to not only D.C., but also New York City and Chicago.  Arizona's Governor, Doug Ducey (R), has also sent illegals to Washington D.C.  Both DeSantis and Abbott have indicated that they intend to continue to do so despite the threatened lawsuit by Lawyers for Civil Rights for fraud. 

The downside has been that mayors from these "sanctuary" cities (like San Francisco), have asked Washington for millions more in federal aid to cope with the influx of illegal residents. There's something wrong about a city or state which openly decides to blow off federal immigration laws, and then have the moxy to ask for federal (taxpayer) dollars to bail them out of the problem they created.

Illegal immigration and border crossings have largely dropped off the establishment airwaves given that so much time needed to cover Trump, although there is a sprinkling here and there about the crisis in Ukraine, rising inflation, Putin's impatience with the EU and pending dual economic and social disasters with cutting off gas and oil shipments to Europe just as winter approaches, the climate change situation, China's  growing imperialistic aims, Biden's and Harris's pathetic approval ratings, and expected Democratic butt kicking at the midterm elections in November.

Nevertheless, illegal immigration remains a serious problem, and few can doubt that much of it is the result of U.S. foreign policy. At present, there is an estimated 14 million individuals living in the United States as of 2021 who are here illegally. Of course, no one knows for sure.

According to FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), one of the nation's largest monitor of illegal immigration, these 14 million or so individuals cost taxpayers around $143 billion dollars annually, which is up by $9.4 billion over 2020.

That's money which could be used to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure such as roads or bridges, our antiquated and vulnerable electrical grid, our failing schools, and so forth.  Instead, it's going to support those who refuse to follow our immigration laws and apply like any other law abiding individual wanting to enter our country.

True, many take jobs that most Americans don't want, but if they weren't there, employers would be forced to raise wages and offer benefits to fill those positions. Instead, they offer low wages and few, if any, benefits. They force employees to work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions, long hours without so much as a restroom break because they know these individuals, whom they hired illegally, can't do anything about it.

Few speak the language and fewer still know the first thing about U.S. labor laws. They're desperate for the money and the employers know it. Besides, where else are they going to go? These low life employers who use the argument that they're holding down prices are using the argument that plantation owners used about slave labor. Cheap prices based on human suffering is nobody's bargain.

If they get busted, the employees lose everything, and get deported (or possibly face jail time) while the employers barely get an slap on the wrist. That's not justice regardless of how you feel about illegal immigration. At the bare minimum the employers should lose their business licenses, face minimum fines and jail time. Religious groups should face the same as well as lose their tax exempt status.

What governors like DeSantis, Abbott, and Ducey are doing may not be the right thing, but then they are forcing individuals who want others to deal with their decisions to step up and take responsibility for the political games they play with other people's lives. It's one thing to say "let 'em in" when it's someone else's yard but quite another when it's your backyard. Meanwhile, those who are being sent here and there are pawns caught in a political game.

The majority of our problems with illegal immigration are the result of poor foreign policy decisions. Most of these decisions are the outcome of a handful of very wealthy individuals and corporations attempting to gain greater shares of markets or control of assets and resources. People are a inconsequential byproduct; chattel to be used and discarded. What, I often wonder, would happen if the wellbeing of people was the priority rather than profit?

America is a nation of immigrants. As the country grew, it developed laws pertaining to immigration just like every country on the planet has. It is our right as a sovereign nation just as it is for every other sovereign nation. There's a popular sign at pro-immigration rallies which reads "No One is Illegal", which is true. But a person's actions can be. That's why there are laws, and laws are meant to be enforced until such time as they are changed.

Playing economic and military chicken for the sake of power and wealth makes absolutely no sense. In the name of acquiring resources, we disrupt and destroy the most precious resource of them all--- human life.  How does that benefit Humanity? How does that create a more productive and sustainable planet?  

Sudden mass and unregulated shifts of population typically result in conflict, be it cultures, laws, values, traditions, and incompatible religions. Ultimately, it sets the stage for the annihilation of one or the other under the euphemistic term of "multiculturalism". 

When population shifts are gradual and relatively small, there's an opportunity for absorption of cultures and everything migrants bring. When the influx is large and unexpected, there is no time for a "cultural courtship" to take place. Conflict occurs as one (usually the incoming group) attempts to assert itself. Not all conquest are at the tip of a spear or bayonet, but they are conquests nevertheless.

Martha's Vineyard is, in the short run, a minor blip in the news cycle. But the accumulative affects of these "minor blips" are how empires fall and civilizations vanish into the dustpan of history.

 

If you want to know more, please take a look at the links below. If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read A/O. It helps with the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you! 

 

Migrants who landed on Martha's Vineyard were tricked by misleading brochure, lawyers say

Migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard file class-action suit against DeSantis

Martha's Vineyard is a magnet for millionaires, CEOs and celebs...

 

Why Hollywood hides at Martha's Vineyard

Celebs on Martha's Vineyard

International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis

United States embargo against Cuba

How many illegal aliens live in the United States?

 

 

 

Biden and Illegal Immigration: What's Next?

Donald Trump is gone. Joe Biden is now the President. Kamala Harris is the first female Vice President in U.S. history. The Status Quo is back in charge. It's business as usual again in Washington D.C.. So, why are we once more talking about illegal immigration?

That's because the new President has promised to make illegal immigration one of his chief priorities during his first 100 days. Biden plans to offer the estimated 11 million illegal residents amnesty almost immediately.  I guess that shows the thousands who've been waiting patiently to enter this country what chumps they were for obeying the law. When dealing with Washington, crime apparently does pay, at least to those who are patient enough.

In addition to giving a pass to the 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S., Biden is planning on making it simpler for those wanting to enter the U.S. by reducing eligibility requirements. He's also intends to make it easier to obtain the coveted green card, which is needed to legally obtain work. 

That should be good news for the seven to eight thousand immigrants currently en route from Honduras (at last report they broke through the border checkpoints in Guatemala) and appear to be following the same path that the five thousand or so "Migrant Caravan" had taken a few years ago; they were stopped at the Mexican-American border.  

Some of you may recall former Mexican President, Vicente Fox, on Mexican TV at the time that the United States "had no right" to prevent immigrants from freely entering America (which was ironic given Mexico's draconian immigration laws).You may want to know that estimates indicate some 40,000 migrants are waiting on the Mexican border to enter the U.S.

Several studies have shown that the easier it is to enter a country legally, the less illegal immigration there is, which should be a no brainer. But it's worth noting that despite amnesty only about 41% actually decide to seek naturalization. With most Americans opposed to amnesty, why would Biden give amnesty to individuals who willingly violated immigration law? Why would he want to see a huge influx in immigration given all the problems currently facing America?

Well, the Democrats, like the Republicans, are beholden to Corporate America. Big Business and the federal government have effectively merged to form the current form of government, a Corporatocracy, which, as many know, is run by a handful of very wealthy individuals---Oligarchs. These elites are always looking to boost their bottom line. Perhaps the greatest liability they face are us---the workers.

Biden's move, if it's passed by the Democrat controlled Congress, will flood the job market. What happens when demand exceeds supply? Competition increases. In this case, it's competition for jobs. This usually drives down wages and reduces or eliminates benefits, improving profit margins. For those here pre-amnesty, it means that with amnesty they can also compete openly for jobs.

In fact, almost any new job they find will pay better than what they had. Those who criminally employed these individuals will have to improve not just the wages, but also the working conditions (which are typically horrible not to mention unsafe). Alternatively, they can seek out other immigrants who arrived after the amnesty period and continue with business as before. My money is on the latter.

However, the increased competition for jobs, will likely drive wages in the wrong direction. Furthermore, given the current pandemic situation in America, many small businesses (the backbone of the U.S. economy) have been severely hurt; many will never reopen or will have to cut back on hiring due to lost revenue. Some will be forced to hire only part time help.

This is especially true in the hospitality industry such as hotels, motels, and restaurants, farm labor, and construction, which just so happens to employ low or minimally skilled workers, many of whom are recent immigrants or those without a high school diploma at low wages.  Regardless, Biden and the Democrats will be perceived as the "good guys", especially within the Hispanic community.  Why is that important?

Although the percentage of immigrants coming to America seeking citizenship is relatively low, especially those from Latin America, the Democrats are hoping that their altruism will inspire some of these new citizens to register as Democrats, or at least vote for Democrat candidates. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bill passed allowing automatic voter registration with citizenship.

Democrats are the second largest voting bloc in the America. The largest is, of course, Independents. Republicans are the third largest. In fact, Independents have been the largest voting bloc since about 2008. Even at that, if the Democratic strategy works, the Republican Party could find itself all but locked out of federal politics or reduced to a regional party. As an aside, barring something drastic, I don't expect that we'll see another Republican President for many years to come.

As an aside, Independents are generally considered to be moderates or centrists who were booted from both corporate owned parties. They tend to be conservative on fiscal and foreign policy issues and somewhat liberal on social and domestic policies. They vote on issues rather than party line.

Of course, there's always a fly in the ointment. First off, voter registration has been on the decline. One study has shown a average 38% drop in voter registration in 17 of 21 states polled. Almost 50% of all registered voters typically fail to show up. One study showed 100 million regularly stay at home.

The reasons range from missing deadlines to simply being turned off by their choices. However, many feel that their vote no longer counts, especially given increasing issues of voter fraud and rigged elections in what was supposed to be one of the most secure electoral nations in the world.

Asians, Hispanics, and blacks typically register as Democrats (on the other hand, 57% of Cubans prefer the GOP). In fact, according a recent Pew study, minorities are 1/3 of the total new electoral registration since 2000, with Hispanics making up 39% of the growth or 13% of the total electorate.

It should be note too that Hispanics are the largest minority in America, surpassing blacks over a decade ago while Asians are rapidly growing and expected to exceed black populations in some areas within the next few decades. This will naturally affect the distribution of the limited federal dollars available for social services. Whites will be a minority by 2045, reaching parity with Hispanics.

Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that only about 13% of eligible Hispanics actually vote in national elections; the same percentage as blacks. Only 4% of Asians do so while 67% of whites turn out. But as the Hispanic population continues to grow and with the likely increase in Hispanic candidates, we can expect higher Hispanic turnouts which will certainly affect the balance of power between the two corporate owned parties.

Another issue to bear in mind regarding Biden's anticipated change in immigration policy concerns health and education. Few entering the U.S. speak English, especially the children. That means social programs and schools will have to further adapt. More bilingual first responders, hospital workers, social workers, teachers will be needed along with bilingual textbooks.

Literacy will remain a problem in general, as well as basic math skills not just for the kids, but for migrant adults as well, requiring specialized remedial education. For the children, they will likely need to include science and history. So, expect a few changes in school curriculums. As an aside, there may be changes in school sports programs too. Soccer is the national sport in most Hispanic countries along with boxing. That could mean some sports programs will be dropped or cut back due to limited funding by the evolving demographics.   

There will also be a cultural aspect in that we'll see stores change or expand their inventory to reflect the change in customers. So, don't be surprised to see more Hispanic products on your grocery shelf along with more Hispanic oriented media programming. Also, Hispanic culture is very male oriented.

Traditionally, most Hispanics are Roman Catholic. This could prove to be a boon for the cash strapped archdioceses across America who've had to pay out millions due to sex abuse lawsuits. But it should be pointed that over time, many Hispanics lapse and cease attending mass or other religious services. Others seek out different religions such as Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian.  

In terms of health, many, if not most have never been inoculated. Diseases all but eradicated like TB, polio, and smallpox, could make a new appearance until enough immigrants and their children are vaccinated to again erase these diseases. In addition, diseases not commonly found in the U.S. may show up, such as  Leprosy , Cholera, and Dengue. Of course, there is still COVID to consider.

So, what does this mean for America? Well, in many respects it's not as unnerving as it seems. We've experienced it many times throughout our brief history. It's included Germans, Irish, Welsh, Italians, Eastern Europeans, Chinese, Vietnamese Jews, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Hispanics, and more recently, Muslims among countless others.  Most communities already reflect the change in the cultural makeup, so residents will notice little or no substantive changes. Another huge influx, however, will put an enormous strain on our social safety net and healthcare systems.

Historically, we've been successful thanks to the "melting pot" concept, where we mix and learn to adapt; taking the best from each.  Yes, distinct cultures have remained with whole neighborhoods of racial or ethnic groups in some cities. Their languages remain as does their cuisine and places of worship. But, they've adopted much of our collective traditions, values, but especially our language. In short, most have integrated.

Language, as I've often written, is the thread which binds the fabric of a nation together. When a people or group don't integrate or choose not to adopt the traditions, values, and language, they remain foreigners; outsiders. They develop no loyalty to the nation. In time, they will seek to carve out their own country within the host nation. It's happened time and time again throughout history.

The Democrats may attempt to become the dominate corporate party in America, although they will likely remain second to the Independents, by currying favor with the newest large minority. At the same time, they risk losing the trust of the black population, which has been a reliable ally since the 1930's. Asians have tended to support Democrats mainly out of habit since the states they primarily settled in were Democratic run. However, they have no particular loyalty to either party.

Thus, the Democrats run the risk, at least in the long run, of creating a new Yugoslavia with alienated and often hostile populations which never embraced national loyalty. The result, as many know, was wars, genocide, and eventually, a divided country. In the short term, they could further divide America. Meanwhile, the Republicans are a deeply fractured political party, and both are facing obsolescence thanks to the steadily growing Independents, localized third parties, and frustrated Americans. 

 

Voter registration has plummeted in 2020

Half of Americans Don't Vote. What Are They Thinking?

New Study Sheds Light On The 100 Million Who Don't Vote, Their Political Views And What They Think About 2020

Emerging Infectious Diseases

40,000 Migrants waiting at the U.S. border

Party Affiliation

Sanctuary Cities

Sanctuary cities. They've been with us since the being of civilization. In the bible, there are six such cities, all under the control of the priestly Levites. These six cities, Bosor, Ramoth and Golan west of the Jordan River and Kedesh, Hebron, and Sheham to its east, were places where individuals accused of crime could escape to in order find sanctuary until the crimes they were accused of could be adjudicated by the either the priestly court or local ruler.

 Even the main temple in Jerusalem could be used as a temporary shelter. The ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians also provided cities or temples where the accused could find a brief respite. The ancient Greeks too had cities of refuge, including various temples until such time as the accused could prove their innocence.

Fast forward to the modern era and we find the concept of the cities of refuge being played out in the form of sanctuary cities. In most cases this applies to immigrants trying to get away from war, famine, or disease, however, it's also come to include economic migrants which are individuals seeking better economic opportunities. This is especially the case in Europe which has adopted basically an open door policy toward these individuals. However, that has proven to be disastrous.

In numerous cases, cities and towns have been overrun. Crime has become rampant, partly as a result of a clash of cultures and refusal of the immigrants to adapt to their host country's laws, customs, language, or values. As a result, the immigrants have attempted to transplant their laws, customs, and values onto their new homeland and completely rejected the very notion of assimilation.

The governments throughout Western Europe and the UK have proven to be woefully unprepared for what they willingly invited into their country. As a result, these governments have unleashed nothing less than an invasion which will ultimately result in a complete or nearly complete replacement of the native population, along with their traditions, religions, customs, and culture.

To make matters worse, the governments have largely responded by cracking down on its own citizens, including the victims of the crime caused by these migrants (especially the victims of gang rapes which are often blamed on the victims!). These governments have gone as far as dictating to its native populations what to wear, when to go out and under what circumstances, removing traditional items (such as pork or liquor) from menus for instance; all in the name of "tolerance". 

They've even allow foreign laws to be applied on their own soil (laws which are, by their very nature, in direct conflict of existing laws and customs), and the enforcement of "no go" zones, thus sanctioning de facto occupation zones within their own country.

Finally, while officially there as "economic migrants", the majority of these immigrants have opted not to work. Instead, they've managed to imbed themselves into the very generous economic and social safety nets provided by these countries, and thus, the native population ends up supporting these "invaders" with their tax dollars while being forced into a form of submission to foreign laws and culture. The result has been bringing the once highly successful countries to their knees. As an aside, neither the United Nations or Amnesty International regard economic migrants as justification for any sort of amnesty.

Once, these countries were quite successful and prosperous; where individuals shared a similar work ethic and believed in similar values. Crime was hardly more than a blimp on the radar. Both the quality of life and life expediency were ranked in the top ten in the world for decades. Europe's cities and towns were known for not just being generally safe, but also for being pristine. There was a sense of pride in keeping these communities clean, especially in Germany, the Lowlands, and Scandinavia. However, the migrant crisis, triggered by criminally naive politicians and poorly prepared government infrastructures has all but destroyed what wars and earlier invaders could not.

America has fared better, but not by much. America has always been a nation which has welcomed immigrants. We are, in fact, a nation created by immigrants. Practically every nation, ethnic group, and religion can be found in the America. However, things have greatly changed. Once upon a time, America was viewed as a "melting pot", where individuals came and added their cultures and experiences to the rest. They quickly assimilated into society; adopting its language, customs, and values to create a unique culture all our own. An American Culture.

Naturally, immigrants tended to seek out others who were from the same country, similar religions or cultures. This resulted in the creation of small enclaves, mostly in cities and large towns. However, it didn't change the hope of those individuals of becoming totally immersed in the American experience. Many of these immigrants changed their names, religions and any other links to their past.

They tried to learn what they could about their new homeland long before immigrating. They did their best to learn English, which was a source of deep personal pride (in some cases, English language classes were held onboard the passenger ships). America was seen as a place to start over. Nothing mattered more than to become "Americans".

Most of these immigrants were individuals coming to seek a new life; a chance to start over. Later, immigrants were actively brought to this country by the federal government for humanitarian reasons. Typically this included individuals being persecuted for political, ethnic, or religious reasons. It also included individuals affected by natural and manmade disasters, particularly wars. However, all who sought to come here were expected to do so in accordance to our immigration laws, which, while strict, were viewed the world over as being more liberal and open than most.

However, that started to change in the late 1960's. Individuals who came to this country were encouraged not to assimilate. They were told they didn't need to learn English; we would "ease" their transition into this new society so they could take as long as they needed, if indeed, they even desired to integrate at all. Some never bothered to learn the language or understand the laws and culture of their adopted homeland; many saw America simply as a place to work and send money back home. The result was the creation of a subclass of immigrants which never became a part of the American mosaic; creating pockets of their native countries, transplanted on a new soil. This was "multiculturalism".

The result was a slow but steady increase in individuals who came here illegally with no intent in either assimilating or becoming citizens. In the beginning, most did so to join family and friends who had come to this country legally, however, for whatever reason, they decided to do so illegally. Generally these individuals had a criminal record, lacked adequate skills to find employment or had health issues (which included "anchor babies"). 

What had originally been a trickle had become a flood by the middle 1980's. The situation became so bad that in 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill granting the estimated six million illegal immigrants amnesty (excluding those with criminal records). The idea was that the costs of rounding up and deporting these individuals was simply too time consuming and expensive.

Today, various towns, cities, and even states have gone a step further and declared themselves "sanctuaries". By that they mean that those in this country illegally are welcome. The local police departments and other taxpayer funded government entities are instructed not to cooperate in any way with federal authorities in the capture and deportation of these individuals. 

At present there are nine states and well over 100 counties, cities, and towns are have proclaimed themselves "open" to illegal immigrants in defiance to federal laws. Yet, at the same time, these same locales continue to receive federal money. Some have actually had the audacity to ask Washington for more federal dollars to cope with the increased costs of supporting these individuals!

Illegal immigration is ultimately the result of a demand for cheap labor. Employers want to avoid certain OSHA requirements such as safe and healthy work environments, wage laws, and taxes. Unions favor it because it increases their membership and puts dues in the bank. Religious institutions and churches, looking to increase their membership and influence, provide aid by encouraging illegals to enter the country through a system of safe houses, providing temporary shelter (often on church property), jobs, permanent housing, and instruct them on ways to circumvent various laws in order to gain access to taxpayer based services as well as medical care (the cost of which are passed on to consumers and taxpayers).

Unfortunately, it appears this situation will not be resolved until the President and Congress muster the backbone to enforce current laws regarding aiding and abetting criminals. The federal government must first cut off all federal money to states, cities, towns, and communities who provide "sanctuary" to illegal immigrants. Secondly, the Department of Justice needs to bring charges against all those who refuse compliance with federal immigration laws, be they governors, mayors, city councils, or whomever.

States which issue driver's licenses or permit voter registration of illegal immigrants should be voided. That is, a driver's license issued by the State of California or Colorado should not been held as valid outside that state without proper legal identification such as a birth certificate and/or cross checked with a expanded E-Verify. Voter registration should be accompanied by a photo ID and also cross checked with E-Verify. Meanwhile, state legislatures must take whatever steps necessary to make illegal any sanctuary status by the state, as well as counties, cities, and other communities along with a zero tolerance for anyone aiding or employing illegal immigrants.

That being said, the federal government needs to take more aggressive steps to stop the demand. Any employer found employing an illegal worker should have their business license suspended for 90 days for the first offense and face a minimum fine of $10,000 per illegal employee. In addition, corporate officers must be held responsible and should face 90 days jail time. Finally, they must be placed on a permanent watch list. This includes not just the business, but the officers as well.

A second offense should result in a six month suspension of their business license, 180 days in jail, and $25,000 fine per individual. A third offense should result in a permanent suspension of their business license, one year jail time, and $50,000 per individual. Needless to say, any federal contracts should be suspended with the first conviction and permanently after that. Any company with federal contracts who employs an officer guilty of the third offense in a managerial, supervisory, or consultant role must forfeit those federal contracts.

As for non-profits, particularly churches and religious organizations, should face equal consequences for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants. This includes loss of their tax exempt status for the same period as their business license. As the 70's TV detective "Beretta" used to say, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time". In addition, no one should have access to taxpayer funded services unless they are able to verify they are in this country legally.

Illegal immigration currently cost taxpayers in the multi-billions of dollars on an annual basis. Given the ever widening income gap, increasing food and healthcare costs, not to mention the ever rising tax and utility rates plus the deepening debt many local and states governments are finding themselves, taxpayers can't afford to support those who intentionally defy our laws and then expect us to support them. The majority of us are having trouble just supporting ourselves.

On a related issue, America has a long and well established tradition of religious tolerance, as well as keeping religion out of politics. I doubt many in this country has a problem with Islam or any other religion. However, we will not tolerate attempts to replace or substitute our laws with their religious oriented laws for any reason. We will not allow what has happened to Europe and the UK to happen to this country, and we have no problem with defying politicians unlike our cousins across the pond.

Sanctuary cities of the past were created to provide a place where the accused could go and gain time to prepare a defense against their alleged crime. Today they've become a place where individuals are not accused criminals, but acknowledged criminals can go to avoid punishment. We cannot allow either states or elected individuals to pick and choose what laws they will enforce any more than we can allow churches or employers to ignore existing laws. Until those laws are changed legally, they remain laws and must be enforced.


Center for Immigration Studies-Map: Sanctuary Cities, Counties and States

Sanctuary Cities: What are they?

Sanctuary Cities: Top 3 Pros and Cons