ASHTON ELLIS
Staff Writer
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither.” For those keeping tabs on the escalating illegal immigration debate, the decision seems to be either reward 11 million law-breakers for cutting to the front of the citizenship line, or round-up and deport these same people in a manner that recalls Germany’s approach to the Jews. Thankfully, this is a false dichotomy. The problem with immigration policy is structural. The system is broken; here’s how to fix it.
First and foremost, America’s border security must be strengthened. The only way to do this effectively is to erect a series of sentry posts along the Mexican border staffed with armed guards and lasers that act as trip-wires. Each time one of the sensors is tripped, friendly and firm border patrol agents will be dispatched to escort noncitizens back home. There must be zero tolerance for foreign incursions into America’s sovereign land.
With a tightly patrolled border in effect, the flood of illegal aliens crossing would slow to a trickle. Once this happens people on both sides will be on notice that rampant border crossings are a thing of the past. Only then should the government give all 11 million illegal immigrants 90 days to report to a law enforcement facility, such as a police station, courthouse or city hall. There, they would disclose their employment status, and register for “citizenship completion program” consisting of civics tests and language classes for those with low English proficiency. Registration within the prescribed time and completion of the citizenship program would result in full citizenship. Think of it as amnesty with responsibility. Failure to either register within the 90 days or complete the prescribed program would result in immediate deportation.
The best way to ensure that liberty is preserved is to instill a respect for the rule of law. For would-be citizens this means making it more enticing to follow the immigration laws rather than break them. America should streamline the process for becoming a citizen for all would-be Americans by removing the caps for legal immigration. If one million Indian-born engineers a year want to move to Calabasas, we should welcome them with open arms. The same goes for any Arab entrepreneurs, Chinese academics and Nigerian churchmen who want to make the United States their home. A clean bill of health, a spotless criminal record, and an appreciation for America’s commercial and governmental institutions should be sufficient to merit an “approved” stamp on an immigrant’s application. America should be the home of every law-abiding, liberty-loving, hard-working, proud-to-be-free person in the world.
We should likewise eliminate the ability for Americans to be dual-citizens. It seems a dark shade of inconsistency to ask another to lay down his serpent-clutched tri-color in favor of Old Glory when naturalized Americans are allowed to add a hyphen to their passport on a whim. Every American needs to choose which country can count on his allegiance. In a phrase, love it or leave it.
Liberty without law is as unworkable and undesirable as rights without responsibilities. America is at a crossroads where its desire for fairness is in tension with its instinctual compassion. Securing our borders will give us the strength we need to be merciful to those already here. In a post Sept. 11 world, immigration policy is one of the areas where Americans do not have to choose between liberty and security. As Franklin might agree, each can be enjoyed when both are respected.
04-13-2006