“Give [us] your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” For more than a century, these words have been America’s call to the world, and the world has answered eagerly.
Unfortunately, those on the left have perverted these same words during today’s debate over immigration reform. They recklessly wield them in support of absolute amnesty for illegal immigrants and deceptively denounce conservatives as being in favor of detention and deportation of all those here illegally. Obviously, neither of these solutions embodies the true meaning or spirit of Emma Lazarus’ powerful words.
But if neither approach works, how can we fix the problem of illegal immigration?
It’s simple. We can confront it with common sense and a basic understanding of the law of supply and demand.
In order to reform the immigration system, decrease the number of illegal aliens and increase overall American prosperity, the federal government must tighten border security, streamline the legal immigration process, increase the number of immigrants legally allowed into the country, create a guest worker program and place those who are here illegally in line with everyone else while holding them responsible for any fines or back taxes they might owe.
If lawmakers follow these five simple policy prescriptions, they will be well on their way to solving a pressing problem facing our nation.
Unfortunately, many lawmakers on the left refuse to realistically confront this problem. Rather, they push for amnesty, even limited amnesty, without any of the additional remedies.
Limited amnesty was tried in 1986 and failed. In fact, it only encouraged more illegal immigration in the following years.
The same would be true today, and passage of the DREAM Act would surely create a nightmare along America’s borders.
It is important to remember, however, that even though those who are in the country illegally broke the law to get here, most did so for good reasons.
They were pursuing the American dream of a better life for themselves and their families. While we cannot reward their illegal activity, we must take this as a clear sign that there is a demand for their services as well as an ample supply of immigrants willing to meet this demand.
If the immigration process is streamlined and the number of immigrants legally allowed into the country is increased, most who are pursuing work would follow this path. Not only would this reduce strain on the border, but it would allow more resources to be devoted to preventing those who truly wish to harm America from coming into the country.
Immigration reform is a necessity.
We are a nation of immigrants and should welcome with open arms any who wish to come here to pursue the American dream. Comprehensive reform would create opportunities for millions of citizens and immigrants to have better lives for themselves and for their families.
This is the hope that America provides to millions, and what could be more American than making this hope a reality for millions more?
Zack Smith is a first-year law student. His column runs on Mondays.
