Immigration is a National Security Issue

by: David T. Harris

Fri Mar 24, 2006 at 07:35 PM CST

Cross posted at Follow Me To DC

If 70% of our ports are operated by foreign companies and we inspect less than 5% of containers coming through those ports, how can we feel save by any measure?

Conservatives are quick to paint illegal immigrants as crowding our schools, clogging our emergency rooms and taking American jobs yet precious little has been done post 9/11 to secure ALL our borders not just the one we share with Mexico. Conservatives want secure borders but Republicans have opened them to guest workers. A plan to allow foreign governments to purchase American airlines was put on hold for 120 days after the Dubai port scandal came to light.

I ask all Americans to consider that if we are unable to curtail an insurgency in Iraq while at home ports and airlines are going to the highest foreign bidders and containers and illegal immigrants continue to come in and out of the US unchecked, how confident do you continue to be that this Administration and the Republican led Congress has your safety and best interest in mind?

Despite the US poor performance in math and science, we maintain a significant high tech force of varying demographics. We should not permit the legislation (HR 3736) of hiring high tech workers from overseas when we have a surplus in all sectors--from college grads to the aging unemployed population.

Equal enforcement should not unduly penalize immigrants from one country but allow save passage to others in the form of Federal Legislation (HR 2738) and (HR 2739).

If there is Federal Legislation, it should be incentives to stop the massive outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries. We send factories over the border willingly to provide American business with better opportunity but want to refuse immigrants that come to America to seek a better life.

Our country was founded on the rich immigrant legacy that we all share...I believe that we can reform our immigration laws without sacrificing our security and that it requires the work of all people, Republican and Democrats to make that happen.

Our district has lost jobs because businesses were allowed to pull out to go overseas...we have to hold those businesses accountable and stop blaming people trying to come to America to make a better life for their families for the lack of missing jobs. Outsourcing is the most profitable way for American companies to use cheap labor without having to adhere to environmental, labor and state laws. It is our duty as Americans to stop that practice and embrace the immigrants coming to America with a safe and fair policy that allows hardworking citizens to get an education, healthcare and contribute to our tax base.

I am proud to live in the one country on our planet that so many people want to immigrate to in order to realize their dreams.

Tags: national security, David Harris, TX-06, Immigration, (All Tags)

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Immigration is a National Security Issue | 3 comments

To the neocons, National Security is like the War on Terror (0.00 / 0)

Neither exist in substance on their agenda, but exist in their rhetoric extragantly.

The talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.

Thanks Dave, for highlighting this issue.

Noel

by: noelschutz @ Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 02:10:20 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Thank you, David (0.00 / 0)

This is an issue that progressives should take a stand on and more people should take the time to learn about how U.S. immigration policy encourages people to break the law.

by: Tejana @ Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 03:14:55 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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I HEARD THE CHEERING AND SAW THEM MARCHING 3X3 PAST MY APT TODAY (0.00 / 0)

I have never felt more pride in the young people of my town than today when I saw them exercise their right to peaceful assembly. They walked out in mass from Arlington High School (2 blocks west of me). They marched two blocks east around the block and two blocks west around the block. They stayed on the sidewalk, carrying their flags from many nations and the Texas and US flags. They cheered, were polite. The police drove beside them and only attempted to arrest motorist who tried to turn into the parking lots through the crowds.

When you stand in front of a classroom, frequently you wonder if anything you are talking about is getting through. This is one time that they have shown us that THEY GET IT. They understand what this nation is supposed to be and they understand how we are supposed to go about changing failed policies which have become unbearable.

A new day has dawned in this nation and especially in Texas. We'd better hear them. My generation and my parents' generation failed to answer the immigration delimmas of our nation. The youth are demanding better solutions than Republicans or Democrats offer. They've already impacted some of the proposed legislation on the hill. I think that the Democratic Party needs to stand with the youth! This time they have it and the older folks need to get with it!

Faith Chatham

by: faithm @ Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 01:59:34 AM UTC

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Immigration is a National Security Issue | 3 comments

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