On the Border - Fence Not the Answer

In Summary: Building a 700-mile fence along U.S.-Mexico border is not comprehensive immigration reform. - The Herald Editorial Staff

Well, this is refreshing. Yet another opinion piece that says a "fence is not the answer" to our border problem. Am I mistaken? Is the fence the only thing that will be done for immigration reform; or is it just a piece of the larger puzzle? Will reform of the system include more than just a fence, but not just all at once in a "comprehensive" manner that is more likely more "incomprehensible" than "comprehensive?" When you get right down to it, isn't the use of the term "comprehensive" just a political talking point that implies "we're on it, so don't worry."

According to the staff at Heraldonline (out of S.C) the fence:

This might be good politics in an election year in which Republicans are struggling to maintain control of Congress, but it may not play into the GOP's long-term plans of wooing Hispanic voters. Furthermore, any immigration policy that focuses solely on enforcement does not address the problem of illegal immigration in a meaningful way.

"(f)ocuses solely on enforcement?" Is the media full of simpletons or do they just want to paint enforcement hungry Americans and/or Republicans as simpletons? At least the opinion piece refers to illegal immigrants as illegal immigrants, but beyond that it is just another dishonest representation of reality; something that we should be seeing less and less of these days but are not.

From the staff:

No fence is impregnable. Those determined to cross the border will climb the fence, burrow under it or go around it, often taking a more dangerous route to enter the country. Border agents also should expect a flurry of illegal immigrants before the fence is built.

Oh, really, none of us commonfolk realized that, we thought everything would be hunkydory after a fence was installed.

More from those on high:

even if a fence were an effective way to hold back illegal immigrants, it would not represent a comprehensive solution to the issue of immigration, which is far more complicated than simply finding a way to seal our borders.

Here we go with the "comprehensive" talk again. NEWSFLASH!!!! The "issue of immigration is far more complicated than simply finding a way to seal our borders." Anything politicians do runs the risk of being done incorrectly, for the wrong reasons or for just political reasons. BUT, as I've said before - I'll take piecemeal anyday since it keeps the issue alive and there is a better chance of the "people" finding out about it or at least putting in our two cents.

Canned News from the paper:

(the) bipartisan bill would have offered illegal immigrants who have been here for more than five years a path to citizenship if they paid fines, held jobs and learned English. And those here for two to five years would have had a chance to apply for guest-worker status.

The picture of immigrants as criminals who don't pay taxes, take advantage of public services and steal jobs from American citizens is a hypocritical one. In many cases, immigrants are doing jobs U.S. workers refuse to do, and are productive members of the communities in which they live. And deporting the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now living in this country now is not a practical option

The talking points come out now, which require no thought and obviously do not contain any. I really enjoy the "phased in" or "path to citizenship" one. I'm assuming it would work because it was part of a "comprehensive" reform of the system.

Using the "picture of immigrants..." angle is old and tired and as usual misrepresents the stance of enforcement first supporters. It's not an issue of having a problem with immigrants and never was, but what would be the fun of your job in the msm if you couldn't paint one side of the argument as cretins (whether honest or not).

Lastly, do you ever notice when they talk about the estimated illegal aliens in the country and the impossibility of deportation, that they never really discuss the impossibility of the "path to citizenship" portion of the "comprehensive" bill? Personally I would like to see this defended rather than being written about as though we're just a bunch of idiots that don't have a clue.

Well enough from my big mouth, here's what a couple of CAII'ers are posting about today.

Christi at CommonSenseAmerica fills us in on local communities being sued by the ACLU and others for wanting to do something the Feds won't with: "Illegal Immigration: Valley Park Put On Hold"

Brian over at The Uncooperative Blogger, is ever-so-slightly insensed about the senate vote and the fact that "amnesty" is not off the table - "Senate Votes to Extend Fence Along Border."

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let me know at what level you would like to participate.**