Immigration reform is a hot topic on today's agenda which needs to be addressed with an aggressive solution. To me, immigration is when a person or persons enter and settle in a country to which they are not native. In the United States, we have procedures in place which allow foreigners to immigrate legally to our great nation.
The illegal immigrant topic, specifically the masses flooding into our country from the Mexican border, raises several questions. Why should we allow someone, who broke the law upon entering the US by knowingly evading our border and customs checkpoints, to be given immunity and become a citizen of the United States simply because they are 'already here'? What message does this portray to the thousands of immigrants who work hard to follow the proper legal process to become a part of our free nation?
I have formulated a simple solution to protect and secure our US/Mexican border from drug and human trafficking. So simple, in fact, that the government will disregard my plan of action.
Let us look at a brief history lesson in order to understand why the Unites States, at present day, has over 12 million illegal Mexican immigrants working in our society; we must take a brief look at a small piece of Texas History.
Look back to 1835/1836 when Texas was fighting to gain its independence from the rule of Mexico. Many of you will remember the pages of history on March, 6 1836 when the Battle of the Alamo occurred. By 8 o’clock am, Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna and his army had slain all 189 Texan defenders. On April 21, 1836 General Sam Houston and a small group of soldiers in the Texan Army defeated Santa Anna and his troops in a mere 17 minutes at the Battle of San Jacinto. The day after, a small band of Texan forces captured the fleeing Santa Anna, dressed in a dragoon private's uniform and hiding in a marsh. Subsequently, acting Texas president David G Burnet and Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco: "in his official capacity as chief of the Mexican nation, he acknowledged the full, entire, and perfect Independence of the Republic of Texas." In exchange, Burnet and the Texas government guaranteed Santa Anna's life and transport back to Veracruz.
You may be asking yourself what this has to do with the issues of drug and human trafficking occurring today. After 1836, how did Texas progress with a thriving economy with major cities such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio? There is no doubt that Mexico had a better piece of land in which to establish their country and economy. They had and have tremendous natural resources, beautiful mountains, and some of the most breathtaking seashores in the world. So how is approximately 50% of the country of Mexico living below the poverty level, driving millions to illegally cross the border into the United States to seek meager employment in order to send money to their families in Mexico? Did you know the billions of dollars sent back to the illegal immigrants' homeland of Mexico is the 2nd greatest annual income source for that country?
The answer: Political corruption, influential powerful drug cartels, and payoffs within Mexico’s government are issues that we as United States citizens wrongfully have to ‘pay for’ simply because of a shared border.
Now that we have a brief synopsis of the history and differences in our countries, we can more easily understand and empathize with the Mexican people and their drive and motive for seeking a means to provide for their families.
These Mexican workers are happy and willing to take ANY jobs that the typical American would refuse to accept and at half the wage. They will congregate on a corner in hopes to accept a meager day job that may require intense hard labor just to be able to provide for their family. They work harder than most Americans out of fear of not being selected for a job tomorrow. In essence, these workers hold down inflation because of their willingness to accept jobs at menial wages.
However, on the opposite end of the spectrum we must also address the vast problem of drug and human trafficking across the same border region. Unfortunately both issues must be addressed and dealt with in the same mindset. In previous years, criminals distinguished themselves in dress and other obvious indicators. However, times have changed. To avoid detection, they have now learned to blend in with the common citizen to accomplish their objective. Often times utilizing small children, emergency services, and women like pregnant mothers by force to carry out their illegal missions. In fact, in recent months, the drug cartels in Mexico are murdering more innocent individuals than the deaths from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is often an intimidation fear tactic to employ the assistance of the ordinary citizen to carry out their illegal acts. The cartels are kidnapping people off our own soil, taking them across the border into Mexico, and demanding huge ransoms for their return. Much like the radical terrorist groups in parts of the Middle East, the cartels have begun recruiting teenagers to train as assassins in return for money and the safety of their families. In fact these ‘assassins’ are ready to carry out a kill directive from the cartel in Mexico from a simple text message without even having to cross our border. This is only a small tip of the iceberg as to how the Mexican drug cartels are impacting our nation with fear and intimidation across the US/Mexican border.
I have personally met with Rusty Fleming, award winning producer of the film “Drug Wars”. He has investigated the cartels and was allowed to report from their inner most operations. The violence, torture, and tactics are inhumanely indescribable. Although Mexico’s President has been battling against these cartels, it seems to be a losing battle because of the gruesome tactics being used. If the US does its part to stop the flow of drugs in via these border towns, we would be helping our neighboring country in its war against these cartels by cutting off their major source of income. Most people do not realize that Mexico remains the principle source of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana into the United States. Mexico’s drug cartel problem is now OUR problem because of the lack of ACTION by our elected officials in both parties on border protection and illegal immigrant policy.
Let us get back to the simple solution of protecting our US/Mexico border, apart from the already established “entry points”. The issues we face with inadequate forces at our ‘entry points’ will be addressed at a later time. The solution to secure our border is simple and will not only generate thousands of jobs, but also fund itself while quite possibly generating excess revenue. As to any plan of action there are other logistical factors to wade through, but I am addressing a straightforward bare bones solution. This logic and common sense may not sit well with Washington, but alas I will proceed.
The border between the United States and Mexico is approximately 2000 miles long. This simple plan calls for 4000 security border guards to stand post at all times and would be responsible for the protection of a mere 2600 feet per post. Each guard would be equipped with proper spotlights, all terrain vehicles, weapons and a bull horn. Rules of engagement must be clear but flexible to accommodate rapid changes to various situations that may develop. The primary objective of the guard is to deflect ANY person or persons from entering the United States at an unofficial entry point. If a person or persons is crossing into the US illegally, has been verbally warned to halt, disregards hand signals and commands, the guard will deem them an immediate personal threat and assume they mean harm to our nation and its citizens and take appropriate action.
The US government already relies on private security companies who hire experienced former military personnel to provide security services in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world as well as on our own soil in situations such as hurricane Katrina. These security organizations have the capability and resource to provide an immediate solution to securing our border as a temporary ‘fix’ until the government could cut through ‘red tape’ to open these positions in a federal or state aspect.
Now we must ask the question: What do we do with the 12 million illegal Mexican immigrants who are already in this country? How do we address this topic while giving them the opportunity to continue taking on jobs and contributing to the US economy? The plan is as follows. All illegals will have 6 months to return to Mexico and obtain some form of work status card which the government creates and deems acceptable. If an immigrant who is here illegally fails to return within six months, they will never be considered for work status. The rules for obtaining this card are simple.
No criminal record.
Must be finger printed and photographed.
Provide intended state of employment.
Provide contact information for all relatives who are legal citizens of the United States.
Upon conviction of a crime in this country they will be deported without opportunity to return or could be imprisoned in the US.
The worker must return to Mexico every 6 months for a minimum 3 days.
Employers who hire workers from Mexico that cannot display a work permit should be charged with felony charges. This is already law today, but has been largely disregarded.
An organizational structure would have to be established to issue these cards either at controlled access points or in border towns.
This plan ultimately pays for itself. The fee for a six month simple work status card is $200. If a worker does not have the $200 to enter U.S., we would be lenient and issue a fee of $400 at the time of their next application. At the time of the next application, the worker MUST pay $400 in order to enjoy the privileges of freedom and employment in our country. We must assume, by the numbers we are given by the government, that at least 12 million Mexican workers would be crossing our borders every six months; which breaks down to 66,000 individuals per day. $400 per year from 12 million individuals is almost 5 BILLION dollars. I do believe that 5 billion dollars could certainly support this plan by paying for all of the border security guards and organizational costs involved in processing and issuing the proper identification.
Let’s break down staffing requirements. Card processors: 667 processors would be needed to issue 100 cards per day each. For the purpose of personnel scheduling, it will probably require an even 2000 employees. Looking back on the guards manning the border, we will need approximate 8,000 guards, 4000 per 12 hour shift. Once again, for logistical purposes, it will require 12,000 hired guards. If each of these 14,000 employees were paid a generous $60,000 per year, the cost thus far would still only be $850 million. Let us just round that figure off and call it an even billion and not forget that we are taking in 5 billion in work card fees. A suggestion for some of the excess funding would be to help the various states with healthcare that these workers may need while in this country.
As with any plan of action, there are outside factors to acknowledge and work through as the issues arise. I’m not sure that any new legislation would need to be passed in order to establish and carry out my proposed plan. As far as I am aware, it falls within the guidelines of our laws as they stand today.
Look at how Arizona could benefit from this plan. They are being HIGHLY criticized and scrutinized nationally for trying to protect their US citizens and their state border. The topic: racial profiling. Example: a white male, 6’2”, brown hair, brown eyes, a known fugitive. Would people still be upset with law enforcement for asking for identification from a man that fits that description? What if that man did not have identification? Are they to simply let the man walk away knowing he could be the one committing the crimes? Sometimes in my town the traffic officers will set up a road block. In order to pass, every vehicle must show their identification, registration, and proof of insurance. If an individual cannot produce their “papers”, a citation or cash bond warrant can be issued. Is this profiling people who choose not to abide by the law and provide auto insurance? How ludicrous is that? How can we criticize Arizona’s law enforcement for asking for identification when initiating a traffic stop…for enforcing the law…for trying to protect the innocent from the criminals threatening their families, land, and freedom? Mexican drug cartels are taking over the southern portion of the state. They come toting automatic weapons willing and able to kill innocent civilians and law enforcement alike. Someone sent me a letter written by Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen. I believe she makes it abundantly clear as to why she voted and supports SB 1070. How can we criticize a state for trying to protect itself when the federal government has turned a blind eye to the legislation that is already in place? Why do we allow people to cross our borders yet do nothing about it? Why does the general populous not insist that a plan of action be taken immediately? Why do we criticize and even scream RACISM when a state makes a decision to protect its people who have been abandoned by their federal government. After reading the letter below, I find it hard to understand how any American can criticize Arizona’s choice. If our federal government does not step up and address this serious problem, it is only a matter of time before other states will in turn follow suit.
Senator Sylvia Allen (Arizona) Letter: “I'm Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen. I want to explain SB 1070 which I voted for and was just signed by Governor Jan Brewer.
Rancher Rob Krantz was murdered by the drug cartel on his ranch a month ago. I participated in a senate hearing two weeks ago on the border violence; here is just some of the highlights from those who testified.
The people who live within 60 to 80 miles of the Arizona/Mexico Border have for years been terrorized and have pleaded for help to stop the daily invasion of humans who cross their property. One Rancher testified that 300 to 1200 people a DAY come across his ranch vandalizing his property, stealing his vehicles and property, cutting down his fences, and leaving trash. In the last two years he has found 17 dead bodies and two Koran bibles.
Another rancher testified that daily drugs are brought across his ranch in a military operation. A point man with a machine gun goes in front, 1/2 mile behind are the guards fully armed, 1/2 mile behind them are the drugs, behind the drugs 1/2 mile are more guards. These people are violent and they will kill anyone who gets in the way. This was not the only rancher we heard that day that talked about the drug trains.
One man told of two illegal's who came upon his property one shot in the back and the other in the arm by the drug runners who had forced them to carry the drugs and then shot them. Daily they listen to gun fire during the night it is not safe to leave his family alone on the ranch and they can't leave the ranch for fear of nothing being left when they come back.
The border patrol is not on the border. They have set up 60 miles away with check points that do nothing to stop the invasion. They are not allowed to use force in stopping anyone who is entering. They run around chasing them, if they get their hands on them then they can take them back across the border.
Federal prisons have over 35% illegals and 20% of Arizona prisons are filled with illegal's. In the last few years 80% of our law enforcement that have been killed or wounded have been by an illegal.
The majority of people coming now are people we need to be worried about. The ranchers told us that they have seen a change in the people coming they are not just those who are looking for work and a better life.
The Federal Government has refused for years to do anything to help the border states. We have been over run and once they are here we have the burden of funding state services that they use. Education cost have been over a billion dollars. The healthcare cost billions of dollars. Our State is broke, $3.5 billion deficit and we have many serious decisions to make. One is that we do not have the money to care for any who are not here legally. It has to stop.
The border can be secured. We have the technology we have the ability to stop this invasion. We must know who is coming and they must come in an organized manner legally so that we can assimilate them into our population and protect the sovereignty of our country. We are a nation of laws. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens and to protect the integrity of our country and the government which we live under.
I would give amnesty today to many, but here is the problem, we dare not do this until the Border is secure. It will do no good to forgive them because thousands will come behind them and we will be over run to the point that there will no longer be the United States of America but a North American Union of open borders. I ask you what form of government will we live under? How long will it be before we will be just like Mexico, Canada or any of the other Central American or South American countries? We have already lost our language, everything must be printed in Spanish also. We have already lost our history it is no longer taught in our schools. And we have lost our borders.
The leftist media has distorted what SB 1070 will do. It is not going to set up a Nazi Germany. Are you kidding. The ACLU and the leftist courts will do everything to protect those who are here illegally, but it was an effort to try and stop illegal's from setting up businesses, and employment, and receiving state services and give the ability to local law enforcement when there is probable cause like a traffic stop to determine if they are here legally. Federal law is very clear if you are here on a visa you must have your papers on you at all times. That is the law. In Arizona all you need to show you are a legal citizen is a driver license, MVD identification card, Native American Card, or a Military ID. This is what you need to vote, get a hunting license, etc.. So nothing new has been added to this law. No one is going to be stopped walking down the street etc... The Socialist who are in power in DC are angry because we dare try and do something and that something the Socialist wants us to do is just let them come. They want the "Transformation" to continue. Maybe it is too late to save America. Maybe we are not worthy of freedom anymore. But as an elected official I must try to do what I can to protect our Constitutional Republic. Living in America is not a right just because you can walk across the border. Being an American is a responsibility and it comes by respecting and upholding the Constitution the law of our land which says what you must do to be a citizen of this country. Freedom is not free.”
The simple plan the politicians in Washington thought long and hard to come up with…A FENCE. How can a group of educated individuals believe that a FENCE would solve our border problems? If the federal government would have purchased stock in a company that imports wire cutters to Mexico, maybe they could have funded the whole debacle of the Fence idea.
It is both amazing and amusing at times watching the politicians discuss the war on terror. As they sit in their ‘bubble’ in Washington and try to piece together a peaceful solution from the glass house in which they throw stones. The last two attacks would have caused immense devastation which is not a result of us thwarting the attack. In Detroit, the bomber was unable to get his underwear to work. In NY the bomber was unable to get his firecrackers to work. Were these truly terror attacks on this country or were they individuals auditioning for “World’s Dumbest Terrorist: Caught on Tape”. In all seriousness, the United States is a massive target for terror attacks. All forms of travel are subject to heavy screening. So why do we have 2000 miles of open unsecured border?
It is a safe bet that those in Washington who have the power to bring this topic to the forefront and take a good hard look at the facts and simplicity of this plan will not. It will be disregarded as just another rambling. If one of the ‘big businesses’ were lobbying for an immediate solution this might be considered a topic of interest. Unfortunately we are average everyday citizens. If the federal government continues to ignore this problem, the citizens of the United States should DEMAND an answer. Does the current administration have a hidden agenda? Is it more concerned with gathering votes for the November? Our elected officials are supposed to be the VOICE of the people and not a babysitter who decides what THEY think is best. How can Obama justify the fact that we have almost 200,000 brave men and women fighting in two foreign countries, with the average citizen not even understanding why…YET refuses to address the war being waged at our southern border on US soil. A mere 14,000 people could immediately be employed to make this a reality. We know it’s not financially motivated. Washington has proven to pay no attention to spending as experienced by financing all of the pork and passing legislation in regards to healthcare and cap and trade. Trillions of dollars roll around in Washington like a one dollar bill rolls around in my pocket. Is there a hidden Agenda? There must be a hidden agenda with the elected officials in Mexico as this issue is not being addressed on either side of the border. The United States just signed a contract with one of the security companies for $100,000,000. Why can’t we contract with the same company to immediately close the south border?
There are laws against military policing on United States soil: the 1807 Insurrection Act and the 1879 Posse Comitatus Act. I have included both as these play an important role in deciding whether Obama’s move to send “as many as” 1200 National Guard to the border.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is the set of laws that govern the U.S. President's ability to deploy troops within the United States to put down lawlessness, insurrection and rebellion. The laws are chiefly contained in 10 U.S.C. § 331 - 10 U.S.C.§ 335. The general aim is to limit Presidential power as much as possible, relying on state and local governments for initial response in the event of insurrection. Coupled with the Posse Comitatus Act, Presidential powers for law enforcement are limited and delayed.
1879 Posse Comitatus Act - The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time. The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the United States. Types of militia within modern US:
US CODE
TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 13 > § 311 § 311. Militia: composition and classes
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b) The official classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.
The organized militia created by the Militia Act of 1903, which split from the 1792 Uniform Militia forces, and consist of State militia forces, notably the National Guard and the Naval Militia. The National Guard however, is not to be confused with the National Guard of the United States, which is a federally recognized reserve military force, although the two are linked.
The reserve militia or unorganized militia, also created by the Militia Act of 1903 which presently consist of every able-bodied man of at least 17 and under 45 years of age who are not members of the National Guard or Naval Militia. (that is, anyone who would be eligible for a draft)
A select militia is composed of a small, non-representative portion of the population, often politicized.
A private militia, which are made up of non-officially organized individuals who have formed paramilitary organizations based on their own interpretation of the concept of the militia.
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. The National Guard of the United States is a joint reserve component of the United States Army and the United States Air Force and maintains two subcomponents: the Army National Guard of the United States for the Army and the Air Force's Air National Guard of the United States.
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, state National Guard serves as part of the first-line defense for the United States. The state National Guard is divided up into units stationed in each of the 50 states and U.S. territories and operates under their respective state governor or territorial adjutant general. The National Guard may be called up for active duty by state governors or territorial adjutant general to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
The National Guard of the United States is administered by the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity under the Department of Defense The National Guard Bureau provides a communication channel for state National Guard to the Department of Defense. The National Guard Bureau also provides policies and requirements for training and funds for training for state Army National Guard and state Air National Guard units, the allocation of federal funds to the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States, as well as other administrative responsibilities prescribed under 10 U.S.C. § 10503. The National Guard Bureau is headed by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB), who is a four-star general in the Army or Air Force.
Now that we understand these, I pose the question as to how the National Guard would be of any assistance when it comes to keeping people from crossing the border illegally. Desk jobs will not render any help with this out of control problem. Which National Guard is this? If this is the National Guard of the United States, then a fundamental understanding of the power of the president is in question. I do not believe that the 1200 National guard Obama is sending will help a thing. And the cost; $500,000,000.00. Remember, under my plan, all costs are self funded and not a single dime is needed from the tax payers of the United States.
Please Continue To Read
Just 1 Southern Border Hospital...
Unbelievable! Imagine including all the other hospitals.
...Verified by Snopes.com
Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas is a fairly famous institution and for a variety of reasons:
1. John F. Kennedy died there in 1963;
2. Lee Harvey Oswald died there shortly after;
3. Jack Ruby, who killed Oswald, died there a few years later.
On the flip side, Parkland is also home to the second busiest maternity ward in the country with almost 16,000 new babies arriving each year. (That's almost 44 per day-every day)!
A recent patient survey notes that 70 percent of the women giving birth at Parkland in the first three months of 2006 are illegal immigrants!!! That's 11,200 anchor babies born every year just in Dallas!!!
According to the article, the hospital spent $70.7 million delivering 15,938 babies in 2004 but managed to end up with almost $8 million dollars in surplus funding. Medicaid kicked in $34.5 million, Dallas County taxpayers kicked in $31.3 million and the feds tossed in another $9.5 million.
The average patient in Parkland in maternity wards is 25 years old, married and giving birth to her second child. She is also an illegal immigrant. By law, pregnant women cannot be denied medical care based on their immigration status or ability to pay.
OK, fine. That doesn't mean they should receive better care than everyday, middle-class American citizens. But at Parkland Hospital, they do." Parkland Memorial Hospital has nine prenatal clinics.
NINE!!!
The Dallas Morning News article followed a Hispanic woman who was a patient at one of the clinics and pregnant with her third child-her previous two were also born at Parkland. Her first two deliveries were free and the Mexican native was grateful because it would have cost $200 to have them in Mexico. This time, the hospital wants her to pay $10 per visit and $100 for the delivery but she was unsure if she could come up with the money. Not that it matters, the hospital won't turn her away. (I wonder why they even bother asking at this point.)
"How long has this been going on? What are the long-term effects?
Well, another subject of the article was born at Parkland in 1986 shortly after her mother entered the US illegally - now she is having her own child there as well. (That's right; she's technically a US citizen.)
These women receive free prenatal care including medication, nutrition, birthing classes and child care classes. They also get freebies such as car seats, bottles, diapers and formula.
Most of these things are available to American citizens as well, but only for low-income applicants, and even then, the red tape involved is almost insurmountable.
Because these women are illegal immigrants, they do not have to provide any sort of legitimate identification - no proof of income. An American citizen would have to provide a social security number which would reveal their annual income - an illegal immigrant need only claim to be poor and the hospital must take them at their word.
Parkland Hospital offers indigent care to Dallas County residents who earn less than $40,000 per year. (They also have to prove they did not refuse health coverage at their current job. Yeah, the 'free' care is not so easy for Americans.)
There are about 140 patients who received roughly $4 million dollars for un-reimbursed medical care. As it turns out, they did not qualify for free treatment because they resided outside of Dallas County so the hospital is going to sue them! Illegal's get it all free! But U.S. citizens who live outside of Dallas County get sued! How stupid is this?
As if that isn't annoying enough, the illegal immigrant patients are actually complaining about hospital staff not speaking Spanish. In this AP story, the author speaks with a woman who is upset she had to translate comments from the hospital staff into Spanish for her husband. The doctor was trying to explain the situation to the family and the mother was forced to translate for her husband who only spoke Spanish. This was apparently a great injustice to her.
In an attempt to create a Spanish-speaking staff, Parkland Hospital is now providing incentives in the form of extra pay for applicants who speak Spanish. Additionally, medical students at the University of Texas Southwestern for which Parkland Hospital is the training facility will now have a Spanish language requirement added to their already jammed-packed curriculum. No other school in the country boasts such a ridiculous multi-semester (multicultural) requirement.
(Sorry for the length, but this needs wide circulation particularly to our "employees" in Congress.)
Remember this is about only ONE hospital in Dallas, Texas. There are many more hospitals across our country that must also deal with this.
