My commentary today is based on an article I recently wrote for the CAPS (Californians for Population Stabilization) website that they posted earlier today, Monday, October 8, 2012.
The focus of my article is as basic as the immigration issue gets- the significance of the borders of the United States. As I have noted on many occasions including when I have testified before Congress- “A country without secure borders can no more stand than can a house without walls!”
When we studied geography back in school, we learned about the various countries to be found on our planet. All of those countries are defined by their borders. Many significant wars have been fought over the placement of borders. Yet, in the name of commerce and free trade, our country is doing everything in its power to dismantle the borders of the United States even while the failures to secure our borders against illegal entry of aliens whose presence is problematic and contraband that poses many risks enable those individuals and dangerous materials to enter the United States.
It is time for a reality check!
Furthermore, when aliens evade the inspections process they create no record of their entry into the United States and there is know way of knowing why they are here. Unlike the Apollo astronauts who traveled to the moon more than four decades ago, Illegal aliens do not run our borders to simply plant their boots on the U.S. side of the border, grab up some rocks, plant a flag of their native country and head home. Illegal aliens generally seek to make their way to towns and cities across the United States from coast to coast and border to border. The impact of illegal immigration can be found in virtually every state.
It is also important to understand that any state that has a seaport or international airport must also be thought of as a “border state.”
On May 11, 2006 I testified before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on International Relations on the topic:
“VISA OVERSTAYS: CAN WE BAR THE TERRORIST DOOR?”
You can read the transcript of that hearing at:
Here is a link to a CNN report aired on May 31, 2010 that was titled, “Tracking Down Visa Violators:”
Casey Wian and his producer, Sara Weisfeldt interviewed me for this report and I appear briefly on screen.
On May 10, 2010 I was interviewed by Daniel Gonzalez, a reporter with the Arizona Republic for an news report titled, “U.S. not cracking down on immigrants with expired visas.” Here is the link to the news report in which I was quoted:
The responsibility of the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Inspectors at ports of entry is to prevent the entry of aliens into the United States whose presence would be problematic. The laws they enforce are utterly and totally blind as to race, religion or ethnicity and only make one distinction- the distinction between citizens of the United States and those who are not citizens (aliens).
It is important to understand that an alien who evades the inspection process mandated by our immigration laws may have multiple reasons for entering the United States surreptitiously. The inspections process is supposed to prevent the entry of aliens into the United States whose presence would be harmful. Title 8, United States Code, Section 1182 enumerates the various categories of aliens who are to be excluded from the United States. A review of those categories makes the intention and importance of our immigration laws, our borders and the inspections process crystal clear.
Immigration is not a single issue but a “singular”
issue that impacts nearly every challenge and threat confronting the United States today!
If our government’s failures to protect American jobs by securing our nation’s borders and effectively enforcing our immigration laws concerns you or especially if it angers you, I ask you to call your Senators and Congressional “Representative. This is not only your right- it is your obligation!
All I ask is that you make it clear to our politicians that we are not as dumb as they hope we are!
We live in a perilous world and in a perilous era. The survival of our nation and the lives of our citizens hang in the balance.
This is neither a Conservative issue, nor is it a Liberal issue- simply stated, this is most certainly an AMERICAN issue!
You are either part of the solution or you are a part of the problem!
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Lead, follow or get out of the way!
Illegal Immigration: Drawing the Line
