Drop the quota, get to work, and pass immigration reform NOW!

Drop the quota, get to work, and pass immigration reform NOW!

 

In 2006, Congress imposed a quota on DHS, requiring that it keep an average of 34,000 detention beds filled per day; today the US deports some 400,000 people a year, an all-time high.

 

To meet that quota ICE has deported hundreds of thousands of mothers and fathers who have committed no crimes or only minor ones, ripping families apart and depriving US citizen children of one or both parents.  A recent report from TRAC Reports, Inc., confirms that in 2013, less than 15% of removal cases brought by ICE have been based on criminal activity.   This reflects a decrease from nearly 30% in 1992.   The figure has been decreasing steadily, and simply reinforces what most people admit:  the great majority of the undocumented population comes to the US to work, save and send money home.   In addition, a great majority of those in custody for criminal violations have broken one law: the one prohibiting illegal entries -- hardly dangerous criminals.   Even so, those who cross without permission now make up over 50% of all deportation cases. 

 

For decades our economy has welcomed manual laborers, while our immigration system has tried to shut them out.   For years various reforms have been introduced in Congress, only to die a slow death due to arguments for increased enforcement first.  Today we have more boots on the ground, more drones in the air, and more deportations than ever before.   Recently we also have seen an uptick in illegal entries, because the economy is starting to pick up again.  More enforcement has not worked; it only has cost us more money.   The winners are companies like Correction Corporation of America who have earned millions a year because the government has outsourced the prison business. 

 

It is time for Congress to reform our immigration laws.   We need a temporary work visa for manual laborers who perform the jobs that US workers either will not or cannot do.  If Congress will create such a visa, then workers who want to enter legally can do so, and the Border Patrol can use its resources to intercept people who want to harm us or engage in the illegal drug or gun trade.

 

We also need to face reality and create legal status for the current undocumented population.   Opponents of reform have said they will debate reform only if it is broken up into bite sized chunks, and not in the form of S. 744 (the comprehensive bill passed by the Senate this summer).  If this is how the House wants to do it, then so be it, but both sides need to stop bickering, get realistic and start working on a practical solution.   For heaven’s sake, do something!  

 

The current system is a disaster; families are hurting, communities are hurting, businesses (other than CCA) are hurting.   All members of Congress can find common ground in legislation that has been introduced in both houses of Congress.   With a good faith effort in Congress, all of us will win.

 

Gerry Chapman