If this were actually our policy toward illegal immigrants you would not see people jumping into the water to swim toward the ship; instead, they would get in line to cross the “legal immigration” bridge which the cartoonist in a fit of oversight has left out of the panel.
It’s an insult to all those who have immigrated through due process and legal channels, who have sacrifice many, many things to make it to this country. Even as refugees there is a due process and legality.
Nicely summarized.Let’s look at this problem from several angles.Right now, a significant percentage of low-wage, stoop-labor jobs are done by illegal aliens. It has been argued that Americans won’t do these jobs, so they must. But why won’t Americans do them? Perhaps because they can get better treatment and pay in a minimum-wage job, and furthermore, many employers are taking advantage of illegals, law or no law, precisely BECAUSE they are cheap.For this reason, a number of Republicans are in favor of things like “work permits,” which are effectively a way to take advantage of this inequity for business purposes while treating people as poorly as possible (as well as circumventing various labor laws, which “obviously” wouldn’t apply to non-citizens).Other Republicans are clearly against any kind of illegal aliens coming in this country. This is at least consistent with current law, but the law has definite holes in it.One such hole is allowing in refugees, especially political refugees. The children coming across the border are, for the most part, fleeing social violence — and most have come THROUGH Mexico to get here. Does that not count as a refugee? Unfortunately, we have had a tendency to treat only those fleeing left-wing governments as refugees. Those fleeing right-wing dictators (especially those we supported as a “bulwark against Communism”) were not treated as political refugees.There is another hole, which is those children who were born here. By definition, they are citizens. So we can either boot their parents, or kick out a LEGAL citizen because of the crime of their parents. There is widespread agreement that we need to do something. If we want to keep out illegal immigrants, there are several things we can do that will work better (and cost less) than some kind of ridiculous wall.1. Enforce labor laws. Stop winking at those companies using illegals, and make sure they are paying legally required wages, and Americans will take the jobs.2. Triage immigrants. Research has shown over and over again that someone with the energy and ambition to immigrate is often the hardest worker and one who will contribute to society. If someone fights their way across a barren land despite criminals, hunger, and other dangers to get to our border, that doesn’t sound like a “freeloader” to me — that sounds like someone we should be proud to take on.3. Streamline and/or create alternate paths. If you don’t think someone will work out, put them on probationary citizenship status. Other countries do. Kick them out if they don’t live up to citizenship requirements. That gives us the best of both worlds: letting people in, and screening those we want.4. Establish clear principles for “refugee” status. Children who scramble away from violence which has killed their parents should not EVEN BE IN QUESTION. Sheesh.I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but these are not difficult ideas. And as some evidence that we do need change, research shows that immigrants who can get a lawyer succeed in getting in much more often than those who don’t. In other words, significantly more people might pass the standards, if they were simple enough and clear enough.
Tig, many other commentators have pointed that fact out, but I NEVER did. (Although it IS true).
My objection to this ’toon is that it portrays the U.S. as heartless and uncaring. This nation, and most of its people have contributed far more aid to impovershed countries, and devastated areas around the world than any other nation. We still accept immigrants, who APPLY, go through testing and take an oath of allegiance. Most Americans, myself included, do not approve of a steady stream of aliens crossing into this country by illegal means, taxing our social systems and settling in to do only who-knows-what. It is TOTALLY UNFAIR to other people who apply legally, and wait their turn. We are not the wealthiest nation on the planet anymore. We have serious internal problems, and should not be assuming the ills of every other country! There are limits to what we can afford, and do. The more amnesty we declare, the more we attract. I know this sounds heartless on my part, but if all these children are allowed to stay, more will follow; WHO is going to pay for their up-bringing for the next 15-18 years? Who will pay for their housing and other necessities?
TripleAxel almost 10 years ago
If this were actually our policy toward illegal immigrants you would not see people jumping into the water to swim toward the ship; instead, they would get in line to cross the “legal immigration” bridge which the cartoonist in a fit of oversight has left out of the panel.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
Not a valid ’toon Clay.
canFunny almost 10 years ago
It’s an insult to all those who have immigrated through due process and legal channels, who have sacrifice many, many things to make it to this country. Even as refugees there is a due process and legality.
Motivemagus almost 10 years ago
Nicely summarized.Let’s look at this problem from several angles.Right now, a significant percentage of low-wage, stoop-labor jobs are done by illegal aliens. It has been argued that Americans won’t do these jobs, so they must. But why won’t Americans do them? Perhaps because they can get better treatment and pay in a minimum-wage job, and furthermore, many employers are taking advantage of illegals, law or no law, precisely BECAUSE they are cheap.For this reason, a number of Republicans are in favor of things like “work permits,” which are effectively a way to take advantage of this inequity for business purposes while treating people as poorly as possible (as well as circumventing various labor laws, which “obviously” wouldn’t apply to non-citizens).Other Republicans are clearly against any kind of illegal aliens coming in this country. This is at least consistent with current law, but the law has definite holes in it.One such hole is allowing in refugees, especially political refugees. The children coming across the border are, for the most part, fleeing social violence — and most have come THROUGH Mexico to get here. Does that not count as a refugee? Unfortunately, we have had a tendency to treat only those fleeing left-wing governments as refugees. Those fleeing right-wing dictators (especially those we supported as a “bulwark against Communism”) were not treated as political refugees.There is another hole, which is those children who were born here. By definition, they are citizens. So we can either boot their parents, or kick out a LEGAL citizen because of the crime of their parents. There is widespread agreement that we need to do something. If we want to keep out illegal immigrants, there are several things we can do that will work better (and cost less) than some kind of ridiculous wall.1. Enforce labor laws. Stop winking at those companies using illegals, and make sure they are paying legally required wages, and Americans will take the jobs.2. Triage immigrants. Research has shown over and over again that someone with the energy and ambition to immigrate is often the hardest worker and one who will contribute to society. If someone fights their way across a barren land despite criminals, hunger, and other dangers to get to our border, that doesn’t sound like a “freeloader” to me — that sounds like someone we should be proud to take on.3. Streamline and/or create alternate paths. If you don’t think someone will work out, put them on probationary citizenship status. Other countries do. Kick them out if they don’t live up to citizenship requirements. That gives us the best of both worlds: letting people in, and screening those we want.4. Establish clear principles for “refugee” status. Children who scramble away from violence which has killed their parents should not EVEN BE IN QUESTION. Sheesh.I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but these are not difficult ideas. And as some evidence that we do need change, research shows that immigrants who can get a lawyer succeed in getting in much more often than those who don’t. In other words, significantly more people might pass the standards, if they were simple enough and clear enough.
OmqR-IV.0 almost 10 years ago
The other side is always….bluer. Or are those waters greener? Or just murky?
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Well, if Cubans can get one foot dry, they’re home free. Ask Cruz about that.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
Tig, many other commentators have pointed that fact out, but I NEVER did. (Although it IS true).
My objection to this ’toon is that it portrays the U.S. as heartless and uncaring. This nation, and most of its people have contributed far more aid to impovershed countries, and devastated areas around the world than any other nation. We still accept immigrants, who APPLY, go through testing and take an oath of allegiance. Most Americans, myself included, do not approve of a steady stream of aliens crossing into this country by illegal means, taxing our social systems and settling in to do only who-knows-what. It is TOTALLY UNFAIR to other people who apply legally, and wait their turn. We are not the wealthiest nation on the planet anymore. We have serious internal problems, and should not be assuming the ills of every other country! There are limits to what we can afford, and do. The more amnesty we declare, the more we attract. I know this sounds heartless on my part, but if all these children are allowed to stay, more will follow; WHO is going to pay for their up-bringing for the next 15-18 years? Who will pay for their housing and other necessities?
Cerabooge almost 10 years ago
Oh, HQ, your comedy routine jUst keeps on going. “Obama got illegal’s to self deport by souring the economy”. HAHAHA!
moosemin almost 10 years ago
@spiderlegs54
“…. a complicated situation with no easy or RIGHT answers.”
You are correct.
Boots at the Boar Premium Member almost 10 years ago
That my friend is the craziest *$&%ing thing I’ve read in a while. Bravo.
pirate227 almost 10 years ago
And Boner still won’t hold a vote on immigration. WORST. SPEAKER. EVER.