GLORIA SHELLER
Contributing Writer
It is hard to fully grasp a situation unless it’s in your backyard, so considering the idea that we have an illegal immigration problem is hard fathom in Malibu. But the problem is closer to home than some people think. The truth is, only a couple of miles north of Malibu, the overflow of illegal immigration is rearing its head. And I would consider that, at least, in our neighborhood.
In states such as California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, millions of illegal immigrants perilously cross the border from Mexico in hopes of finding better lives in the United States. Illegal immigration is nothing new since people have been coming to America illegally for decades. What is new, however, is that the numbers of illegal immigrants, coming here through states bordering Mexico, have gone from thousands to millions in the last 30 years. Naturally and instinctively, residents of those states, who have been waiting for the federal government to reduce those numbers, are getting frustrated and restless.
People have taken action on a small scale to prevent illegal immigrants from coming into the melting pot of our nation. Some have been forming private groups to patrol the borders themselves. One such group is known as the Minutemen.
Although wanting to take matters in to their own hands may seem noble, in practice, their tactics are too extreme. These people aren’t necessarily patrolling with huge guns and uniforms and they aren’t militarily experienced. They also have no consent from the United States government. But nonetheless, groups like the Minutemen show that Americans are taking matters into their own hands.
The Minutemen have been wreaking some havoc for the U.S. Border Patrol, a government-funded agency whose sole purpose is to guard the borders of our country.
The Arizona-based group is compiled of about 1,000 volunteers who patrol a 23-mile stretch of border between Mexico and Arizona. They are arguing that if the government won’t do anything about illegal immigrants, then they will. They like to think of themselves as America’s largest neighborhood watch program.
But is the government really not doing anything? Or is it just not moving fast enough for residents who are feeling the backlash? I’m going with the latter, but in true debate fashion, it is most effective to look at the opposing side of the story.
Sen. John Cornyn (R -Texas), who chairs the Senate subcommittee on immigration, said that he hoped to have legislation ready for the Senate in the summer and surprisingly followed through with his statement. Cornyn introduced the Comprehen-sive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 in hopes of reforming some immigration laws and strengthening border security.
Sen. John McCain (R – Ariz.) actually applauded President Bush’s efforts and supported proposals such as the Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act in 2003. But efforts such as these don’t seem to be enough for Americans who feel like they still have to join vigilante groups like the Minutemen.
Americans should understand that there are many more effective ways to take a stance and make a difference in terms government policy. Forming extremist groups is nothing but a quick fix and serves as an emotional outlet for activists.
The beauty of America, however, is that people have freedom to encourage fellow citizens to sign petitions and push bills. If people steer their passion toward making intellectual, effective changes rather than stirring up emotions and creating more panic, maybe they’d actually achieve their goals.
09-08-2005