THE IMMIGRATION SOLUTION

After watching the President's speech last night, and reading some commentary about it this morning, I feel that rather than simply offering up more criticisms, I should weigh in with a possible solution.

What is the problem, then? We live in the best country in the world. This isn't just my opinion. Based on the long lines of people wanting to get in legally (with people spending years on waiting lists), and the millions willing to risk life and limb to get here illegally, I am confident that many millions of people think America would be a great place to live. We are a country that is made up of the descendants of every other people on Earth. While there are a lot of other great places to live in the world, clearly, our place is among the favorites.

While we are separated from the millions who want to get here from Asia, the Middle East and Africa by oceans, we are not separated from the millions who want to get here from Mexico, as well as Central and South America. They can simply walk here (if they are willing to run the gauntlet of smugglers, thieves, rattlesnakes, and the harsh terrain).

So, the United States is a magnet, especially for the 'poor, huddled masses, yearning to be free' (and relatively rich). We can control the flow of people who want to come across an ocean with some degree of efficiency, since they need to arrive by boat or plane. But we have been completely unable to control the flow across thousands of miles of border with Mexico.

So, what are the possible solutions? First, we could shut off the magnet. If America was not an attractive place for these people to live, there would be no incentive for them to come here. Clearly, we are not going to drive our standard of living down to the level of Mexico, or the other places where people are yearning to leave and make the journey to America. Second, we could lessen the magnet's pull by improving the conditions in the rest of the world. This is the Left's favorite answer. Unfortunately, we do not have that power. As we are seeing in Iraq, even if we spend billions of dollars and back up our actions with armed men, we cannot change the culture of other countries. They must find their own way to the culture which breeds economic prosperity (based on the rule of law, a solid work ethic that emphasizes self-sacrifice, and relatively free markets). Third, we could block the flow. This seems to be the only possible solution, but it is more than just building a wall.

If I were able to wave a magic wand and solve the problem, I would do three things. First, I would build a wall along the southern border. The wall (or fence, to be more accurate), would be equipped with the latest in high-tech equipment. The border patrol would man the wall but, unlike the Berlin Wall, there wouldn't be machine guns or mines, since the purpose would not be to kill those fleeing oppression, rather, the purpose would be to control the entrance of those seeking freedom and prosperity. Second, once the border is secure, I would expand the number of legal slots available for immigrants to come here. If people had a genuine belief that they had a legitimate shot at getting to America legally, they would take it, rather than risk the illegal path. Finally, I would then legalize the 12 million people who came in when the border was not secure. It is not their fault that our politicians refused to do their jobs. The 12 million should be forced to pay some reasonable fine, whatever taxes are accrued, and then they can get in line for citizenship (that part is the only portion of the Bush plan I like, but the President doesn't do what is necessary to make it work, which is to secure the border).

That is my solution. I look forward to hearing from our so-called leaders about their solutions. It is long past time we stopped playing this one for political gain, and started worrying about the welfare of the country.