Immigration & our southern border

So, the president is in a pretty big pickle right now, and I have just a bit of sympathy for him. Yes, I really do. Because there's no easy way out, no matter who the president is. Our southern border is a very sticky issue. But, the fact of the matter is that illegal immigrants are pouring through our southern, um, "border."



On May 15, the president addressed the nation about immigration and our border problems. His speech read, in part:

"First, the United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration, and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists.

"I was a governor of a state that has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico. So I know how difficult it is to enforce the border, and how important it is. Since I became President, we've increased funding for border security by 66 percent, and expanded the Border Patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents. The men and women of our Border Patrol are doing a fine job in difficult circumstances, and over the past five years, they have apprehended and sent home about six million people entering America illegally.

"Despite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I'm calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we'll increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we'll have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency.

"At the same time, we're launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We'll employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world, and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border.

"Training thousands of new Border Patrol agents and bringing the most advanced technology to the border will take time. Yet the need to secure our border is urgent. So I'm announcing several immediate steps to strengthen border enforcement during this period of transition:

"One way to help during this transition is to use the National Guard. So, in coordination with governors, up to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. The Border Patrol will remain in the lead. The Guard will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems, analyzing intelligence, installing fences and vehicle barriers, building patrol roads, and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities -- that duty will be done by the Border Patrol. This initial commitment of Guard members would last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents and new technologies come online. It is important for Americans to know that we have enough Guard forces to win the war on terror, to respond to natural disasters, and to help secure our border.

"The United States is not going to militarize the southern border. Mexico is our neighbor, and our friend. We will continue to work cooperatively to improve security on both sides of the border, to confront common problems like drug trafficking and crime, and to reduce illegal immigration."

**
Phew! It's hard to know where to start. My first criticism is this - where was this urgency immediately after 9-11? I'm delighted that nearly five years after the worst terrorist attack in American history, we are getting around to attempting to secure our porous southern border.



I'm surprised the dune buggy didn't have "Mission Accomplished" splashed on the side. Of course, Bush administration officials would just cry, "The banner wasn't our idea!" when the ensuing criticism became too much to bear...



...Like when it did here.

First, the prickly issue of immigration. I don't envy the president position, or his options. There's no easy solution for the immigrants already here. I may part ways with my liberal brethren on this issue, but I am not in favor of total amnesty. A reasonable path toward citizenship, yes, but total amnesty, no. Luckily, the sage voices seem to be winning this debate in Washington, and they are largely not in favor of amnesty, either.

A couple things are curious to me about immigration and our border with Mexico.

First, why now? Answer: It's an election year, and Bush and the Republicans court the Latino vote. That one's obvious. A desperate party and an increasingly desperate president are doing whatever they can to scare up votes. Pun totally intended.

I do find it curious though, that in 2004, Kerry tried to make this a campaign issue, and according to Rove, Bush and company, the border was just fine. Now, it's a concern, and Bush and the Republicans are coming to the rescue, securing our borders. Can you imagine Bush coming out with this quote during the 2004 campaign?: (excerpted from above): "Despite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that..." and "...Training thousands of new Border Patrol agents and bringing the most advanced technology to the border will take time. Yet the need to secure our border is urgent."

No fucking way does he mutter this in '04. During the campaign, according to candidate Bush, he was doing a great job of securing our border! Now, suddenly, the border patrol needs all of this help, money and technology. Amazing what two years can do. And how does Bush propose to secure our border? With 6,000 National Guard troops. However, the states Bush is drawing them from can ill afford to spare them, as they are stretched to the limit with the Iraq war.

I also wonder why these 6,000 border agents that Bush is proposing to hire weren't hired long ago?

The answer lies in election year politics. Funny how we didn't really hear about a gay marriage amendment to the Constitution, immigration, border issues or terrorism threats last year. Whatever happened to those stupid fucking color ratings? And I wonder how many "threats" and "plots" will be "foiled" this summer, leading up to the elections? Of course, we can never hear details - it's all classified. Pretty convenient. Hey, let's foil a few more threats to scare the shit out of everybody! That color chart was hilarious. Did anyone even pay attention to it? Perhaps this would be a better way to get the public's attention:



Current Level:


This year, all of a sudden the wedge issues emerge, especially when Bush's approval ratings are at or near all-time lows.

I nearly lost my lunch when I read these words from Bush during his address to the nation about immigration:

"We cannot build a unified country by inciting people to anger, or playing on anyone's fears, or exploiting the issue of immigration for political gain. We must always remember that real lives will be affected by our debates and decisions, and that every human being has dignity and value no matter what their citizenship papers say."

He must be fucking kidding. I tip my hat to my favorite talk show host, who rightly pointed out that obviously gays and people who oppose his war in Iraq are the only people he minds exposing and abusing for political gain. Well said, Jon Stewart. Bush has made sport out of dividing the electorate to suit his political purposes. One needs to look no further than gay marriage, stem cells and Terry Schiavo.



The good news is that conservatives and liberals alike appear to be finally waking up to the Republicans' election year tactics. We'll know for sure in November.