IMMIGRATION BILL SOON TO BE ON SENATE FLOOR

The Senate Judiciary Committee announced today that they have nearly completed a compromise immigration bill that greatly increases border security and allows the nearly 12 million illegals in the United States an opportunity for citizenship. The bill is a compromise between the Presidents proposal which offers an amnesty program and the House bill already passed which covers the security aspect only but does not address the status of those already in the country. The Senate bill is co/sponsored by Senator John McCain and Senator Ted Kennedy. The sponsorship alone causes misgivings because both politicians send chills up my spine when they propose anything for it usually comes back to haunt the nation after passage. The No Child Left Behind Act, cosponsored by Kennedy and backed by the President is a prime example because of the massive failure that it has become. Another example from McCain is the McCain /Feingold Campaign Finance Bill which tramples the first amendment and is directly responsible for the growth of the 527's. On the service the immigration bill has merits since it does greatly enhance border security though I think the idea of a fence on the southern border should not be abandoned. The bill allows for those already in the country to,"pay a $2,000 fine, apply for a six-year temporary status, have a job, pay taxes, learn English and show an understanding of U.S. government, " according to Kennedy. They would then have the ability to apply for citizenship but not bumped to the front of the line ahead of those who follow the proper channels. This is where I still have problems with the illegal immigration status. Each of those who are illegally in the United States have broken the law. I do appreciate the fact that the bill fines them and has requirements in order to remain in the country, but they have still broken the law. I also realize the dilemma concerning the work force. The majority of those illegally in the country are employed by business who would suffer a great financial burden and possibly go out of business were it not for illegals. Yet in many cases the illegals are taking jobs that some Americans would gladly have and there are also merits to the fact that illegals take jobs that many would not have. Though it pains me to admit it I realize that finding and deporting the 12 million already here is most likely a bad idea because of the economic and logistical impact on the nation. I do believe that the penalty that the bill imposes of $2,000 is not enough and should also require some form of community service as though they were on probation with the penalty of deportation if all of the provision were not followed and obeyed to the letter of the law. Unfortunately the immigration problem is a catch 22 no matter how it is addressed. I totally disagree with the amnesty idea that the President favors because illegals have broken the law and do have a debt to society for this infraction. Another aspect that the bill does not address is the status of the border after the bill is implemented. Will illegals still have the capability to come into the country even with increased security ? A total closing of the border should be implemented along with the added security and any who come into the country illegally should be deported pronto with no exceptions. Once again the fence idea will assist greatly with border closing. This situation is so far out of control that there are no simple answers. The McCain/Kennedy compromise scratches the surface but does not go far enough. Is it a start ? Yes, but there must be a great deal more enforcement, security and penalties for illegals added. Close the borders, keep the 12 million but with larger penalties as mentioned above and enforcement of their status with ANY violation of the statutes of their temporary status or any criminal act, even a speeding ticket, resulting in immediate deportation of the perpetrator and his/her family. Additionally there should be added severe penalties for business who continue to employ illegals after the bill is enacted to prevent the continuation of the employment problem. Our borders must be made secure both South and North with full control of those already in the country.

Ken Taylor