Border Security and the President's Guest Worker Proposal

I share the concerns expressed in this National Review editorial about President Bush's plans to address illegal immigration. I strongly support securing the border, but I have deep concerns about the President's proposed guest worker program, which would allow those here illegally to remain legally. Our nation tried an amnesty program in good faith under President Reagan, and the results were dismal. Millions of illegal immigrants became citizens, but nothing substantive was done to prevent further illegal immigration to this country. If anything, I think that amnesty program encouraged more people to enter the country illegally in hopes of a similar deal being offered in future.

The President insists he's not offering amnesty, but the guest worker program he proposes for workers who are already here illegally is itself a form of amnesty. I don't see how it can be argued otherwise.

Further, he says that illegal immigrants are doing jobs Americans don't want to do. Well, that may be true right now, as long as employers can fill certain jobs paying illegals low wages under the table. Some may say this practice benefits U.S. citizens in the form of lower prices, but one downside among many is that in turn the illegal workers don't pay taxes, while straining our infrastructure to its limits. The impact of illegal immigration on my area, Southern California, has been overwhelming -- crowded freeways, schools, and hospital emergency rooms -- and it's a serious problem in other parts of the country, as well.

One step I would definitely like to see taken is for the government to stop banks from accepting Mexico's Matricula Consular cards as identification. Banks are increasingly courting the business of illegal immigrants, including offering them home loans, and this needs to be cut short now.

I respect President Bush, but have found his lack of attention to border security in the wake of 9/11 perplexing, at best. I will be pleased if he does the right thing and follows words with actions when it comes to making serious efforts to secure the borders. However, I'll be deeply disappointed if he continues to advocate rewarding those who have broken our nation's laws.