The Southern Border
It is inarguable that there is a crisis on our southern border. Millions of migrants from nations south of our border attempt to enter illegally every year. And they are joined along the way by those from overseas. Given the state of affairs in the Middle East, with Iran once again coming to prominence, the continuing threat of Islamist jihadis, and the possibility of the introduction of disease, an open border is perilous. Tuberculosis is on the increase in our country because of the waves of illegal migrants. And low skilled undocumented workers depress the wages for low-end jobs, making it difficult for some Americans who are looking to get a foothold in the workforce.
In spite of the fact that virtually every leader of the Democratic Party who has been around for a while used to support the construction of a wall on the southern border, virtually all of them now resist its construction.
During his term in office, President Trump indicated a willingness to ‘deal’ on immigration in return for a wall. In fact, when discussing the wall in this 2016 campaign, he said that he wanted a “Big Beautiful Wall with a Big Beautiful Door in it.” The point was that there would, of course, be immigration, but it would have to be controlled. This is only logical in a society that offers so much help to indigents. America is a generous country – its citizens consistently give more in charity than any other country. But there are limits to what can be given. We have to assure that the number of entrants does not exceed our capacity to absorb.
In offering to ‘deal’ with the Democrats on immigration, President Trump offered to provide permanent documentation to 1,800,000 DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — these are people who were brought here illegally as children). That is three times what President Obama was willing to settle for in order to construct a border wall. Although President Trump displayed an almost pathological need to deliver on his campaign promises (his record of success on this is remarkable), the Democrats were not willing to engage on immigration. So, they would have gotten permanent documentation for 1,800,000 DACA recipients and a Big Beautiful Door for other immigrants (which would allow a way for those already here to obtain some form of legal documentation), but still Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Schumer did not want to ‘deal’. One suspects that they wanted completely open borders and the unlimited number of immigrants that would go with it simply because they want Hispanics to be politically beholden to the Democratic Party. Placing Party before Country is no way to run a government.
Now, Joe Biden, has not only NOT continued with the building of the wall, he has in effect dissolved the southern border. The Border Patrol has been converted from a protective force into a Welcome Wagon. As a result, we are seeing unprecedented levels of immigration. And the administration is planning on ending US Title 42 in May.
The current level of illegal immigration per day is approximately 7,000. But if Title 42 is ended, the estimate of illegal immigration jumps to 18,000/day. That’s more than an average size town per day. In a month, it’s more than a medium size city. Republicans are willing to ‘deal’ on immigration to make the process regular and safer. But so far the Democrats have not shown any willingness to limit illegal immigration in any way, so the border remains completely open.
Let me be clear — without borders, we cannot have a country. There has been, and continues to be, a flood of fentanyl, which kills 100,000 people a year. There is increasing human trafficking. As a result, estimates say that we have more slavery today than during pre-civil war times. This is completely unacceptable, to turn a blind eye while human traffickers ruin countless numbers of lives.
The tragedy is that there is a deal to be made, and it should be made, but the Democrats won’t make it. They must think it is the best interests of their party to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of young American lives to death by fentanyl, and the ruination of millions of lives of those trafficked into sexual slavery. We need to shut down the crime at the southern border. We need to eliminate the possibility that a pandemic will find its way here through illegal immigration. And we need people who want to work hard to come. All this can happen if the Democrats will only make a deal on immigration.
