Bob SparksThere can be little argument that immigration reform is sorely needed. Current law, whether or not it’s enforced, is simply inadequate.
Last week, Martin Dyckman wrote for Context Florida on this issue from the progressive side. He artfully made the case about real reform trumping ideological purity from both sides.
Speaking from the conservative side, I will echo Dyckman’s over-arching premise: “the status quo is unacceptable.” The laws governing both legal and illegal immigrants need a total makeover.
For more than 200 years, America has been a land of opportunity. From around the world, those with skills, a strong work ethic and a dream have come to our country and made solid contributions.
Our workforce and our way of life are changing along with the reliance on technology to drive significant portions of our economy. America is not producing enough workers with the right skills. Despite this, our system is hindering the immigration of skilled immigrants to fill the void.
In their book “Immigration Wars, Forging an American Solution,” Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick give real-life examples of how too many would-be immigrants are kept from bringing their skills to the U.S. because we don’t provide enough visa slots. Instead, legal immigration is tailored more toward family unification than bringing talented workers here.
About 11.5 million people are in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. There are different reasons for this, but lax border security is high on the list. Those who insist that we secure our borders are absolutely right, but not solely for economic and law-and-order reasons.
A better life is the goal of most immigrants. But let’s keep in mind there are sinister reasons for others. How many of those entering this country illegally are terrorists, drug runners or gang members?
One would think national defense is a pretty good reason to protect our borders. Republicans need not apologize for placing an equally high value on knowing who enters this country by land as we do by air or by sea. Republicans allow themselves to be defined as anti-immigrant by talking about immigration solely as a drag on national and state economies.
Republicans also are right to be concerned about passing major legislation and President Obama disregarding or waiving portions of it. They have learned this from his actions on Obamacare.
But that is no reason for the legislative branch to ignore their role on this issue.
The long-standing, unresolved question is what to do with those 11.5 million in this country illegally. Most would agree with Dyckman that mass deportation is a non-starter.
Those arguing that illegal immigrants do some of the jobs Americans don’t wish to do are closer to the truth than those who say otherwise. The low wages, hard work and conditions have something to do with that. Many of Florida’s farmworkers fall into that category.
The U.S. Senate passed comprehensive reform in 2013 that includes a pathway to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants who are here illegally. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was part of the bipartisan “Gang of 8” who crafted and promoted the bill. He has now backed away from it.
Eyes turned toward the House. Late last week, chances for reform in 2014 dimmed when House Speaker John Boehner indicated that House Republicans would not tackle the immigration reform this year.
Too bad. Even if attempted in stages, we need to get started.
Last month, House Republicans unveiled their principles regarding immigration reform. They included allowing those here illegally to remain after passing a background check, but no path to citizenship. However, those brought here illegally at a young age could pursue citizenship. There was no mention of reforming the legal immigration process.
When the House does take up immigration, part of the GOP caucus will need to be convinced to go along with the principles. At the same time, will enough Democrats who want a path to citizenship, compromise?
This should not be about gaining or losing Hispanic or Asian-American votes. We must hope there are enough lawmakers who believe that good policy makes good politics. Our borders need to be secured. The status of 11.5 million people needs to be decided. Our legal immigration policy must allow more foreign talent to move here.
Americans agree on the concepts far more than they disagree.
Bob Sparks is a business and political consultant living in Tallahassee
