Illegal Immigration: Part of the Problem

I wrote this piece last year about six days into my blogging adventures. With today's political climate, I thought it was worth reposting.

Illegal Immigration: Part of the Problem

One issue I feel is being overlooked in the midst of this economic crisis is that of illegal immigration. Not the people like our parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who came to this country with nothing but a dream and the desire to succeed and went through the proper channels to become a part of the greatest country in the history of humankind. I'm talking about the people who come to this country with no desire of becoming a citizen yet want to suckle from the taxpayers' teat.

The southern border states with Mexico are especially hard-hit. People stream across our southern border every day and stream back across the border at day's end. I wish they'd make up their minds: Become a U.S. citizen and enjoy the fruits of the hard work of this country or remain a Mexican citizen. If you choose the first, we welcome you with open arms. Should you choose the latter, please stay home. Why are we allowing this to happen?

Many illegal immigrants are taking advantage of the American taxpayers. Pregnant women are wading through the Rio Grande to have their babies in American hospitals so the babies are U.S. citizens. Guess who pays for that? Look at your pay stub. Then, since they are illegal but their children are not, they get welfare. Do I hear a Kumbaya from the choir?

This country's educational system is also being drained of resources. In years past, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, I've heard stories of buses within the San Diego school system driving across the border to pick up children in Mexico to bring them back to San Diego to go to school. Who pays for that? Look at your pay stub. Think of how much money the school systems in this country could save if they didn't have to pay for students whose parents do not contribute to the system.

While I believe we should not turn away those people who want to be productive members of this melting pot we call The Greatest Nation on Earth, we do need to address the problem of illegal immigration, and we need to show tough love.

First, I suggest not one but TWO fences about 20 yards apart. In between those fences, let's use military surplus land mines. It sounds cruel, but it worked in Berlin for many years, didn't it? And those who come here to get freebies would have something to think about before hopping the fence.
When they start to tunnel, deploy troops to patrol the double fence. If troops are unavailable, deputize the Minutemen.

Second, we need to stop the treatment of illegal immigrants in our hospitals. If you don't have a valid form of identification when you arrive at the ER, so sorry. Most people, no matter how dire the emergency is, usually carry some form of ID. If you're in a car accident, that's usually how they find out who you are. And repeal the "Born Here; U.S. Citizen" rule. Women have had healthy babies in countries much poorer than Mexico. We can't afford to do this anymore.

Third, the schools need to push for more stringent criteria in verifying citizenship of those whose children are to enter our school system. You want your child to have an education in the U.S. schools? Get in line and become a citizen.

Lastly, NO GOVERNMENT PAPERWORK IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH!!! You want to access taxpayer money? Become a citizen and learn to speak our language (or what SHOULD be our official language).

While it may seem like I'm targeting only illegal Mexican immigrants, I'm not. There are illegal immigrants from all over the world in this country. They need to go back to their countries of origin until they decide that they want to be a citizen of this country. That includes Obama's great aunt who is living in subsidized housing in Boston. Yep...you read that right. No wonder Dear Leader is so unwilling to tackle this problem. Or maybe it's because he knows he'd be deported and we would no longer be paying for his lavish spending.

This country was built up by the sweat, blood, and hard work of those who dared to leave everything behind and start anew in an uncertain land with no expectation of a handout. Unfortunately, those ideals are being lost by those who wish to take and not give.