BILL ENGLISH IN THE ADN

Illegal immigration not the real issue
Alamogordo Daily News
By Bill English
Article Launched: 02/14/2008 12:00:00 AM MST


When former Mexican President Vicente Fox made his first state visit to the United States and the White House, it's rumored that one of the first things he did was demand the return to Mexico the states of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, California and Nevada.

It's my understanding that every time President Bush eats a burrito he still gets a good laugh out of that one. Upon his return to Mexico, President Fox created a cabinet position entitled Ministry of Affairs in Azatlan. What? We've been invaded by animals from Narnia and no one bothered to tell us?

And what right does a foreign president have in creating a ministry to attend to the affairs of illegal aliens from his country? One of the ministry's apparent responsibilities is to ensure the safety and well-being of those crossing the border. You know, make sure that they have enough food, water, maps and clear directions to rest areas set up by sympathizers on this side of the border. Someone care to tell me what's wrong with this picture?

With the current political climate, it seems that one issue we haven't heard a lot about, with the exception of candidate Ron Paul, is that of illegal immigration. For some reason, it is not being openly discussed, with the exception

of Hillary saying that "they are necessary to our economy", or words to that effect. The problem is, while it can't be ignored, it also can't be discussed in an open and logical fashion because of the emotional connotations that the issue has taken on since 9/11. Even then, we aren't exactly sure what those connotations are.
The majority of the illegal immigrants who come across our southern borders are Mexican nationals seeking employment. One of the many arguments that we have heard is that these illegals are the ones who steal our services, our Social Security and are the cause for our loss of industry through such things as NAFTA. It really doesn't matter if the facts are mixed-up or true, that's what people want to believe.

I honestly don't believe that illegal immigration is an issue. Oh, it may be one for you and me, but I don't think that it really is one for our government, despite what they say or would have us believe.

We all know and realized a long time ago that one of the principle underlying issues of our border security is that of possible invasion by terrorists. Simply put, if an illegal Mexican can make it across our border, find employment of some type or, for that matter, transport illegal drugs, and have nothing more happen than be sent back to his or her country of origin, then it stands to reason that a terrorist can do pretty much the same thing. So where is the security?

I've often wondered if this isn't something our government wants to happen. Nothing like a good old-fashion bombing or possible nuclear explosion to get the American people stirred up.

Not to long ago, the state of Arizona began to prosecute business owners who knowingly hired illegal Aliens. The same business owners went to federal District Court, claiming that the state could not do this. Much to their consternation, the court agreed with Arizona and said they could be prosecuted. This was a bit of a surprise to everyone, since apparently the federal government has yet to follow their own ruling, and bring charges against Hormel Foods for doing the exact same thing.

Seems that the INS pulled a raid on several Hormel packing and processing plants and arrested several hundred illegal immigrants they had hired. Yet everyone seems to be more concerned with the welfare of those arrested rather than enforcing the law.

At this rate, we'll never solve the problem of illegal immigration. We can't or won't enforce laws that are on the books, but then that seems to be our record as a nation for some time now.

What are we hoping for? Maybe that the Mexican government will disband and cede Mexico to the United States while they take everything they can and immigrate to the Bahamas or Venezuela? If you think about it for a minute, the idea does have merit. It would certainly solve the problem of NAFTA, illegal immigration and bolster the Social Security fund.

Then again, maybe not. But if they ever do, you can wax my legs and use me as a surf board.


English is a semi-retired journalist and Alamogordo resident.