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| Sovereignty on the Block
by John M. Curtis Copyright July 21, 2001
Hoping the White House would return to its senses, “I’d be surprised if the administration pushed it,” said Rep. Lamar S. Smith (R-Texas), expressing reservations about the panel’s sweeping amnesty plan. Making exceptions for one ethnic group wouldn’t seem fair to foreigners seeking permanent residency in the U.S.— especially hordes of refugees streaming in from all corners of the globe. “I think it [amnesty] would be unpopular with a lot of members of Congress,” remarked Smith, despite senators like Arizona Sen. John McCain who supports blanket amnesty. “These people are working here,” said McCain, “It’s recognition of reality that they are working here.” But that’s a far cry from granting undocumented workers U.S. citizenship simply because they were successfully smuggled across the border and now working on U.S. soil. Citizenship involves more than working in a foreign country—it’s about pledging allegiance, patriotism and some understanding of the culture in which they’re making a new life. During their last summit, Mexican President Vicente Fox urged President Bush to deal with the millions of laborers now working illegally in the United States but contributing heartily to the U.S. economy. Indeed, many U.S. industries are hopelessly dependent on cheap foreign labor to survive, despite Fox’s criticism that working conditions are unacceptable. Relative to Mexico, Mexicans are on easy street, reaping the bounty of wages far exceeding going rates across the border. When Fox talks about “regularization,” he’s referring to Mexican workers enjoying the benefits of government largess, like food stamps, welfare, medical care, Aid to Families with Dependent Children [AFDC], etc. Many border-states and local governments are already stretched to the breaking point providing social and medical services to illegal aliens. Sure, some illegal workers pay taxes, but without proper documentation they shouldn’t be entitled to the same safety net afforded to U.S. citizens. Many foreign workers send their earnings back across the border and contribute little to the local economy. Changes in the U.S. labor market now rely on Mexican workers to perform jobs now seen as unacceptable to American wage earners. While Buchanan rails against sending American jobs overseas, the fact is that growing numbers of U.S. companies remain hopelessly dependent on cheap foreign labor. Like the Asian labor market, Mexican workers help local businesses remain viable, serving the missing link—stable, cheap labor—of providing goods and services to American citizens. Because of this quid pro quo, Fox pledged to make border relations “more human and to have more safe and legal immigration into this country.” Few can argue with improving border relations, but that’s a far cry from granting millions of illegal aliens U.S. citizenship. Creating a “guest-worker program,” permitting Mexicans the right to work legally in the U.S., satisfies Fox’s wish to improve working conditions but doesn’t, at the same time, sacrifice U.S. sovereignty. Fox wants “as many rights as possible as soon as possible,” but he must take some responsibility for the abysmal conditions driving his population to the North. Creating a formal “guest-worker program” doesn’t deal with the millions of undocumented workers already in the United States. Giving them a window in which to enroll only makes sense. But granting blanket amnesty cheapens U.S. citizenship, letting Mexico off the hook for failing to provide for its citizens. If Vicente Fox really seeks better protection for his citizens, it’s time to recognize how illegal immigration stretches good neighbors to the breaking point. It’s not realistic to expect the U.S. to pay all the freight. U.S. citizens would gladly welcome Mexican workers as long as they’re not usurped of government services intended for them. Fox must offer the White House more than empty rhetoric about poor working conditions. His government must extend its hand—and natural resources—in helping the U.S. solve its prodigious energy problems. Creating a bilateral accord guaranteeing the U.S. affordable petroleum, natural gas, and, yes, electricity, would be a step in the right direction. Swimming in energy, it’s time for Mexico to pay the freight for its citizens now cashing in on U.S. benefits. Before the White House opens the borders, it’s time for Mexico pay its fair share by offering the U.S. help with its current energy needs. Creating a humane “guest-worker program” makes far more sense than granting “blanket amnesty” to millions of Mexicans making dinero but not really interested in the lifelong commitment to U.S. citizenship. Congress doesn’t take U.S. citizenship lightly and nor should Vicente Fox whose own government offers few civil liberties to U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico. Americans are the most hospitable and generous people on the planet, as long as they’re not exploited for their good will. “Blanket amnesty” gives away U.S. citizenship too freely and doesn’t insist that the Mexican government pay the bill for the burden on U.S. resources. Without improving conditions on his side of the border, Fox must pony up if he’s really serious about expecting more U.S. largess for visiting Mexican workers. Granting amnesty or creating a guest-worker program doesn’t solve the problem of how friendly neighbors can best learn to reciprocate. Fox must remember that good relationships are always a two-way street. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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xpanding the tax base, placating Mexican demands, and pandering to Hispanic special interests shouldn’t determine U.S. immigration policy. Floating a trial balloon, the White House announced that it would consider the recommendation of a special task force headed by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft pushing blanket amnesty for more than 3 million undocumented Mexicans now living in the United States. Urging the most ambitious overhaul of U.S.-Mexico immigration policy since 1986, the panel sent shockwaves through Congress—fearing that granting legal status would permanently open the floodgates to the U.S. southern border. While Bush prepares for more talks with Mexican President Vicente Fox, key GOP support was already cooling. “A mass amnesty is probably not the best way to go,” said Senate Minority Trent Lott, underscoring deep divisions within the GOP. Amnesty would “unleash a massive immigration across the Southwest border,” commented ex-Reform Party candidate Patrick J. Buchanan, echoing sentiments of Bush’s conservative base unwilling to trash U.S. sovereignty in the name of foreign policy. |
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