Why My Dad’s Amnesty for Illegals Failed by Michael Reagan

Why My Dad’s Amnesty for Illegals Failed
By Michael Reagan

Democrats in Washington never tire of telling us how they are the “party of science.” And Republicans are known worldwide as the “party of Reagan.”
So what I have to say today regarding “comprehensive immigration reform” should find a receptive audience in both groups because it reports on the outcome of an experiment that happened during the Reagan administration.
Except it won’t.
That’s because what politicians and the business community are telling the American people does not match up with their real goals regarding immigration.
But first, let’s go back to the evidence for my position. In 1986, during my father’s second term in office, Republicans and Democrats reached one of those bipartisan, reach-across-the-aisle grand bargains on “immigration reform” that was supposed to solve the problem for all time.
It was sold to the American people as a way to bring illegals who were “living in the shadows” into U.S. society, gain control of the border, and most important, make sure the problem did not recur in the future. Passage of the bill legalized 2.7 million illegal immigrants in one fell swoop, the largest mass legalization in our nation’s history.
Yet here we are, 28 years later, with more than 12 million new illegal aliens (it must be really crowded in “the shadows” by now) and thousands of illegal minors flooding across the southern border — and the pro-illegals are once again calling for “comprehensive immigration reform” that will solve the problem once and for all.
What happened? The only part of the 1986 grand bargain the liberals were intending to implement was legalization. The rest was mere window dressing.
The portions of the bill designed to deter future illegal immigration included sealing the border by means of additional manpower, along with a wall or fencing, and employer sanctions to prevent illegals from working in the United States. In theory, crossing the border would be less attractive if it was fully manned, and there was no chance for work on the other side.
Congress never appropriated the necessary money to increase border enforcement to a level that resulted in a real deterrent. But even then, the compromise might have worked if the employer sanctions were implemented.
But those were gutted to cater to business interests that are willing to undermine the economy and rule of law for U.S. citizens just so they can hire south-of-the-border labor at south-of-the-border wages.
Even executive-branch agencies were unwilling to follow the law.
For decades there’s been a law on the books that requires visa holders to be tracked once they enter the country. Many of the illegals here now are people who overstayed their visas, yet the State Department has never implemented an effective visa monitoring system.
So when you have an amnesty and no enforcement in 1986, the result is that three decades later you have four times the number of illegal aliens expecting their amnesty, too.
That’s why “comprehensive immigration reform” isn’t a reform at all. It’s merely a way to shift the delicate political balance in favor of one party.
The only real solution to this problem is a step-by-step program that regains control of our border and implements a visa monitoring system first — followed by tough employer sanctions.
Let’s take the border: The “virtual wall” promised us is virtually useless. Instead we need a wall or a fence across our southern border that is monitored regularly by the Border Patrol. The Israelis have an antiterrorism fence that has successfully stopped border incursions. Sure, it’s a shorter fence, but Israel is a smaller country. If we have the will in Congress we’ll find a way.
Once crossers are caught, there needs to be an expedited return system. Border jumpers aren’t citizens, so they don’t require the due process that citizens merit. If a lawyer was sneaking across the border with them, fine, they brought their own representation, otherwise U.S. taxpayers should not be expected to pay for legal assistance.
A man crossing from Mexico should be returned to Mexico. I’m sure the Mexican government will want to know if its sovereignty has been violated. If he wants to appeal the decision, he can return to a border crossing on his court date and be escorted before a judge. In between he’s on his own and in Mexico.
Next is a tough employer verification system with criminal penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens, and this includes closing the “employment contractor” loophole. Big Business has already proven it does not have the interests of our citizens at heart, so Congress should not give businesses the opportunity to skirt the law again.
If the Obama administration can attempt to fine Hobby Lobby for not providing abortion services for its employees, the administration can fine businesses that contribute to low wages and high unemployment by hiring illegal aliens.
A business accountant is subject to criminal penalties if he can’t certify the accuracy of the numbers he submits to the IRS. By the same token the human resources director and the CEO of the company should be able to verify the accuracy of employment documents.
What’s more, the records must be subject to spot checks by the enforcement agency that has jurisdiction.
As for the State Department and its criminal failure to enforce visa requirements, there are two options. The Senate can refuse to confirm the Secretary of State until the program is implemented to its satisfaction. Or Congress can remove visa oversight from the State Department and give issuing and enforcement authority to the Border Patrol.
What’s more, each of these reforms must take place BEFORE any action is taken on dealing with illegals, including worker programs or amnesty. Once the border, employment, and visa enforcement programs are up and running, give each of them time to take effect.
Many of the illegals, if they are unable to work and cannot go on welfare, will return to their home countries voluntarily. There is no need for the dreaded, and fictitious, mass deportations. They got here under their own power and they can depart under their own power.
After some time, once the rule of law has been reestablished on the border, Congress can revisit the amnesty portion of the problem.
If unemployment is really under control and labor force participation rates are back to what they were during the Clinton years, then maybe, just maybe Congress can take a second, gimlet-eyed look at amnesty.
But for the moment, the League of American Voters has one position on immigration: Secure the border first.
I strongly encourage you to join with us at the League. Your support is vital for us to continue this fight to secure the border and stop the liberal amnesty agenda. Please take a moment and Go Here Now to support us.
Michael Reagan is chairman of the League of American Voters.