The Illegal Immigration Problem

I have been spending a lot of time in the car lately, listening to the political pendants give their analysis of what should be happening with illegal immigrants. The more I hear the more I am convinced these people are dumber than a box of rocks. Either they don't really know the depth of the problem or for some political reasons they choose to suggest how the problem can be fixed without solving the problem. It shows they have very little respect for the general population in America. It reminds me of when I was in college, I had an instructor who made a habit of saying, "I see the situation but what is the problem?" I have tried, unsuccessfully, to write my opinion of the situation but have not had time and energy to get it done. In hopes of putting my thoughts on record, I want to set some parameters.

The Mexican people who have come across the border are destitute, hungry, penniless, and depressed because they are unable to care for their families. I am convinced, from having been down there a few times, that they are becoming increasingly more destitute as time goes on due to the type of government. In fact, their state of depression was almost identical to that which I experienced back in the 30's, where men were working for pennies a day. From this viewpoint, I cannot blame them for seeking every opportunity to provide for their families. I seriously do not believe anyone would do any different under the circumstances.

In the midst of this depression they are informed that companies will give them an advance of several hundred dollars to come to America and work. In addition to the advance, they are promised a subsidy to live on after they get to the United States since they don't have money. As one might expect, they give part of the original advance to their family to get by on while they journey north. I am more than just familiar with the total monetary and employment experience since I had years of first-hand experience personally observing it take place. In the event anyone would like details, let me hear from you.

This is where one of the first dilemmas starts the vicious ball rolling, in the wrong direction in my opinion. Many large Corporations which utilize inexpensive labor become greedy and dishonest to the point of luring these people into the United States. No all of those encouraged to come in are Mexican as many believe, they are from all over the world. In general it started with Mexico but as other low-income people from all over the world seen the benefits happen, they joined the flow. Primarily my personal observations were of Meat and Poultry processing companies. I watch these corporations send funds and favors to the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Clinton Administration, bribing the diminishment of regulations, standards, reduced inspection techniques, lessened quality controls, and a myriad of sanitary requirements to the point that the Secretary got fired. His getting fired was justified. He departed. However, the requirements that he allowed to be changed were not reestablished and remain in affect or worsened today.

For those of you who are totally unfamiliar with such requirements, take a good look at where our food chain has been challenged with BSE, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and the millions of dollars lost with the failed inspection of meat to Japan and other foreign markets. Where did the first case of BSE in the US originate? The answer is Canada, where inspection at the border has been reduced to minimal at best. Incidentally that shipment from Canada, according to my informants, came from France originally. In my opinion, had the inspection procedures been in place what were maintained in the 80's, both import and export, these events would not have taken place. In addition, criteria for passing inspection has been minimized, authority taken away from inspectors for many products, quality control taken away from inspectors and given to company personnel under surveillance of inspectors and then only at predetermined intervals and times. I could go on for several pages but for the curious novice of local events, take a good look at the manure and refuse being thrown from cattle trucks at the intersection of 6th and Prairie, and at the underpass on West Hwy 50 as the highway goes under the east bound exit of the turnpike. Further, I am told that it is no longer a requirement to operate the rendering plant under a negative air pressure assuring the smell will be washed in a cleansing solution prior to release into the atmosphere. These real life situations are but a few of many resulting from compromised authority of regulatory officials. Perhaps it is more noticeable when one is dining at Carlos O'Kellys when the wind is in the south.

However, I regress. During much of the same time as regulations were being compromised, pamphlets were being distributed by air over the mountains of Mexico inviting potential workers to come to the U.S. In addition to employment, females who were pregnant and delivered while in the U.S., were reportedly informed that medical services were available and the newborn offspring would become an American citizen immediately. Further, because it was dependant upon it's mother for survival, the mother could not be deported back to Mexico. While on this subject, during more than one of my visits to border crossings I was told by Mexican nationals that less than 2 percent of these low-income family females were delivered with any medical assistance. It makes sense to me that persons in this state of living conditions would spring up at the chance to better themselves. One must also know they had not a clue what life in the U.S. would be like or what lurks in the future, but they did know the dismal opportunities they faced if circumstances remained as they were in the past.

Another twist to the exodus of poor, uneducated, hungry, and medically challenged people are that these individuals were a 'burden' to the Mexican government. The officials in authority of both civilian and military activities were progressively being challenged by the possibility of mutiny. Monies brought in from literally all sources were funneled to the top, skimmed off and embezzled while the underprivileged are being
Denied. This misuse of monies generated by the petroleum, lumber, pharmaceutical, utilities, and many other industrial giants, is very similar to practices currently at work here in the U.S. It is very clear to this writer the exodus was an advantage to the upper class of Mexico. The more that move and send their money back to those who don't move is a plus to their economy.

I do not even hope to convey all of the illegal activities involved with corporations providing false social security numbers, false green cards, false documents to obtain benefits from SRS, ADC, Medical Care, and the list goes on. This is not the fault of the immigrant, most don't even know it is wrong because they are told by Corporate personnel these benefits are an entitlement. How could they know, they do not speak the language or have a clue what is right from wrong in our society. It is a humungous departure from anything they have ever experienced in Mexico or any other departure point.

The corrupt Corporations that have generated and promoted this vicious circle of human suffering should, in my opinion, be apprehended and forced to make restitution. How the Corporate giants in America who have participated in enticing these immigrants to come here, have the audacity to suggest building a wall, deportation, or any other nonsensical ridiculous program, should cease and desist immediately! In addition, the political machine from both sides of the isle are as guilty as are the Corporations by reason of association. Our political do-gooders go all over the world talking about human suffering and ignore what is in their homeland. Don't let these political brains fool you, they know what is going on, they just don't have the integrity to face reality. How can they claim to represent the people without knowing what is going on in their area of responsibility. Could they be overpaid to the point they believe they are better than the immigrants? Possibly pride has a factor in their decisions to resolve the problem.

I served in Washington D.C. for several years. I was continually reminded by those in authority over me of several things. Since I had been given significant authority over a variety of industry officials, participating in the importation of animal products, it was my responsibility to do three things when I wrote violations and fines.
l. Make sure that I detailed the violation to and with full understanding of all parties.
2. Make sure that I detailed the solution to the violation to and with full understanding to all parties.
3. Enlist sufficient and appropriate authorities to enforce resolution to full completion.

In light of my pre-retirement operational history, I hereby present my opinion.

1. I believe I have identified part of the illegal immigration problem along with some of the contiguous circumstances needy of attention. I am certain these few are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

2. I believe our federal, state, and local governments should put sufficient resources to do an 'all out' identification of EVERY individual or Corporation that hires, or has hired in the last 5 years, an illegal immigrant (II) from any foreign country or territory. Every II should be identified and given an identity card. This card should have retinal scan, photograph, and fingerprints including the address from which he or she departed. This identity card or device should be accomplished by a very reputable private enterprise or Corporation. Every (II) individual must be required to possess such identification at ALL times under penalty and immediate deportation.

3. I believe that every (II) immigrant, following receipt of identification, should identify with proof in the form of employment documents, the Corporation that enticed him or her to journey to America, along with pay documents, showing among other things, length of employment at each Corporate entity for whom they were employed.

4. The guilty, unscrupulous, greedy, and dishonest Corporations should be fined for every infraction of employment or participation of inducement. A fine should be levied for EVERY individual received into their employment, whether current or within the previous 5 years. These fines should range in amounts from $20,000 to $100,000, depending upon the length of time said employee had or has been in their employee. The fines are to be paid within 15 days, subject to their discontinuance in commerce. Fines should be placed in an acceptable depository to the Treasurer of the United States in a separate account that could not be politically invaded.

Distribution of these funds should be carefully and timely distributed back to the (II) immigrant for compliance with requirements establish to the benefit of both the immigrant and an oversight agency of the federal government. This procedure would answer the problem in several ways.

A. These individuals, after enticement, came to America for money they could not make in their homeland. Their families could not survive on the revenue they could generate. Since the American Corporations, and other entities, enticed them to leave with promises of monetary gain, they should receive compensation from such Corporations for their efforts in correlation to that which they endured. The Corporations, and other entities, involved in this scandalous maneuver should be removed from commerce with the federal and state governments for a period of 5 years, minimum. In the event these fines would place them into bankruptcy or some form of liquidation, it would seem appropriate that other reputable commercial interests with integrity might exchange assets with them.

B. I would suspect the economy of the homeland of these individual would improve following timely receipt of revenues. Distribution should be slow enough to prevent their unlawful manipulation after returning home. I am of the opinion as well that immigration to America would drastically reduce for a variety of reasons.

C. Since the immigration numbers should be down, the need to build 2500 miles of wall, regardless of the material used, would be unnecessary.

5. Last but not least, dissolve the agency created to effectively accomplish this task. These employees should be discharged with a performance award and transferred to another agency in control of our borders with every high-tech device to prevent drug smuggling, terrorists, and other facets of illegal activities.

It is my hope and desire with this writing that voters use much more discernment come time for the next election of State and Federal candidates.

In addition, I would encourage those who support this view of solving this problem to share it with elected officials, and if you are not in support, please add your comments, pro or con, to my blog. Thank you in advance.

May God Bless America and prevent is destruction by evil forces.