2008 Woodie Awards
The Hurricane of Illegal Immigration: the Other Perfect Storm
The First in a Series on Illegal Immigration In America The First in a Series on Illegal Immigration In America
Krummey
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Commentary
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In the last month, Hurricane Katrina has exposed the sins of big government in dazzling High-Definition - evidenced in both the bureaucratically-hindered disaster response effort and the failing anti-poverty programs in the Gulf Coast.
Despite this rude awakening, I am convinced that legislators and many Americans are still too blinded by political correctness to honestly address these, and other issues facing America. As evidence, President Bush's September 15 address lamented the poverty in the Gulf Coast region that "has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America." Such apologetic, victimizing language only deepens racial divides and dismisses any responsibility for progress.
At the same time, drifting through the swelling seas of political correctness and out of the immediate sight of most Americans, a storm has taken shape that dwarfs Katrina - the thrashing Hurricane of Illegal Immigration. Yes, the effects of illegal immigration are extensive and injurious enough to this country that "hurricane" is an appropriate description. Considering that Hurricane Katrina has received immediate (even if knee-jerk) legislation, and that Congress has not found the time nor the fortitude to deal with immigration reform while it lacked a flashy name, maybe this will finally spark hope for immigration reform.
First, for those not keeping score at home, here is a brief status report. It is estimated that 10 million illegal aliens have entered the country in the last 20 years, and they currently flow across our borders at a rate of up to 3 million per year. Only one in every four illegal aliens that attempts to enter the US is apprehended, and most make multiple attempts. Each day, over 4,000 people enter illegally across the Mexico-Arizona border alone. Illegal immigrants are not only readily employed in America (an issue too complex to be addressed here) they also help themselves to a wide range of federal programs. According to the latest estimates, illegal immigrants annually receive $10 billion in overall social services, $1.45 billion in reimbursement to hospitals for emergency care and a staggering $28.6 billion towards the education of their children.
Despite this rude awakening, I am convinced that legislators and many Americans are still too blinded by political correctness to honestly address these, and other issues facing America. As evidence, President Bush's September 15 address lamented the poverty in the Gulf Coast region that "has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America." Such apologetic, victimizing language only deepens racial divides and dismisses any responsibility for progress.
At the same time, drifting through the swelling seas of political correctness and out of the immediate sight of most Americans, a storm has taken shape that dwarfs Katrina - the thrashing Hurricane of Illegal Immigration. Yes, the effects of illegal immigration are extensive and injurious enough to this country that "hurricane" is an appropriate description. Considering that Hurricane Katrina has received immediate (even if knee-jerk) legislation, and that Congress has not found the time nor the fortitude to deal with immigration reform while it lacked a flashy name, maybe this will finally spark hope for immigration reform.
First, for those not keeping score at home, here is a brief status report. It is estimated that 10 million illegal aliens have entered the country in the last 20 years, and they currently flow across our borders at a rate of up to 3 million per year. Only one in every four illegal aliens that attempts to enter the US is apprehended, and most make multiple attempts. Each day, over 4,000 people enter illegally across the Mexico-Arizona border alone. Illegal immigrants are not only readily employed in America (an issue too complex to be addressed here) they also help themselves to a wide range of federal programs. According to the latest estimates, illegal immigrants annually receive $10 billion in overall social services, $1.45 billion in reimbursement to hospitals for emergency care and a staggering $28.6 billion towards the education of their children.