Cornyn and Hutchison op-ed
John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison wrote an op-ed this weekend. The Senators argue for border enforcement first, and no amnesty:
In 1986, the Congress approved a similar compromise plan that, in return for amnesty for most immigrants here illegally, promised an end to porous borders and disregard for our laws. Those promises were not honored. The amnesty legislation instead actually encouraged further disrespect for our laws, and led directly to the situation we face today.
Personally, I'm leaning against the immigration bill -- although I generally support the approach of the bill -- because it's important to get it exactly right. Immigration is like free trade: it crosses ideological and partisan boundaries, thus making risk-averse politicians very nervous. They don't like voting on immigration (or free trade) bills. They largely wish the issue would go away*, and only deal with it when outside groups successfully push the issue to the forefront. Once an immigration bill is passed and becomes law, politicians will go back to avoiding the issue and burying bills.
So yeah, there's some good in the bill. But the history of immigration bills is that the bad often comes back to haunt us, because ramifications are always surprising. [Ideas have consequences, who knew? --ed. Crazy, that.]
Oh, and my overall take on immigration is very Michael Barone-ish.
* Remember how Chris Bell refused to discuss immigration at all, because it was a "Republican issue." How very statesman like from Mr. Bell, given the thousands of immigrants who have died in the desert trying to reach for a better life for themselves and their families.
Posted by Evan @ 05/21/07 01:36 PM
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In 1986, the Congress approved a similar compromise plan that, in return for amnesty for most immigrants here illegally, promised an end to porous borders and disregard for our laws.
Who was President then?
So courageous of Cornyn/Hutchison to criticize The Gipper by name in that op-ed. :D
Posted by kevin @ 05/21/07 03:11 PM
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