Monday Night thoughts...One Latino's perspective on the immigration issue...

As a kid spending my summer's outside the city limits of Edcouch, it wasn't surprising to see an illegal immigrant make his way northward through the backroads of the Valley. Every now and then, some of them would ask if they could do odd jobs around the ranch. Cut down some high grass, or trim those pesky low lying tree limbs that my cousin's and I were too lazy to ever get around to. In return, all they would ask for was something to eat and drink, before they continued their trek northward. Let me clarify that it wasn't as if there were hundreds of people passing through the roads along my grandparent's ranch in mass exodus. It was one or two every summer that we'd encounter. It wasn't surprising then, and in some instances, it's still not surprising to see a lone wanderer or two along rural roads in the Rio Grande Valley. Where these immigrants end up is anybody's guess, but it's not entirely inconceivable that they meet their desired destinations, settle down in a job, and assimilate into the United States culture. And that's the issue at hand this week, isn't it? According to various media outlets, more than 500,000 people in Los Angeles protested the immigration debate being held by the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to a report out of The Monitor today, the U.S. Senate is debating different solutions for the immigration "problem" this country is facing. Some of the solutions for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in this country include, "Erecting a fence on the Mexico border to deter illegal immigration". Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. is quoted as saying "the most important concern is improving national security in an age of terrorism". Right, well, there's also a back door to the house of the United States, Senator Frist, it's called Canada. Let's look into building a fence on that side as well, okay? "Treating people who sneak across the border as felons to be deported". Okay, this one could be feasible, but I doubt it will put a dent into illegal immigration, simply because if a person really wants to come back to this country, a criminal record isn't going to stop him or her from doing so. "Allowing foreigners to stay in the country legally as custodians, dish washers, construction workers, and other low-paid employees" Okay, round of applause from legal United States citizens who work these jobs for an honest living who just felt like a second-rate citizen. Right. "Allowing those working in the U.S. a path to citizenship". Now we're thinking clearly, and not out of both sides of our mouths. "Requiring them to get in line behind everyone else back in their home countries who want to become Americans". This one could definitely work. Ever get pissed off about standing in line for what seems like hours at a concert, or movie, only to have the person in front of you recognize and signal to someone one hundred places behind you to come stand with them? The people in the back of the line who got signalled know it's wrong, but for some reason the jerk in front of you seems convinced that it's okay, no one's going to get upset. Right. And so these are some of the solutions the Senate is taking into consideration. I would like to offer my two cents in on the matter of solutions. First, require Mexico to make an immediate plan of action regarding economic growth and development in that country. Let Mexico handle part of the burden. It's their house, clean it up. Provide incentives and opportunities for Mexican citizens to make a decent and honest living in their own country. Many times, these illegal immigrants are traveling into the United States to provide for their families back home. What kind of a world do we live in, where family and loved ones must be seperated for extended periods of time just to put food on the table. All because of the corruptness and greed of a government that continues to treat the poor and hungry in their country as third class citizens, while the wealthy dine on expensive china plates, and crystal glasses. I'm exaggerating, but not by much, eh? Just take a trip to places like Reynosa, or Nuevo Progreso, and you'll see the types of conditions these citizens deal with. Second, require all United States companies that continue hiring illegal immigrants to provide a means for them to obtain citizenship. They can do this by paying for company sponsored classes, and any documents or paperwork needed to fill the requirement. The need for these types of jobs will always be there. If corporations want cheap labor, pay for it by helping this labor obtain citizenship. Next, lower eligibility requirements for U.S. Border Patrol applicants to mirror those of the United States Armed Forces. If National Security is indeed a priority, we need more Border Patrol Agents to protect ALL of our borders. Once the eligibility requirements are lowered, hold a mass recruitment campaign to get young men and women to sign up. Upon successful completion of any and all training, disperse agents across the U.S./Mexico border AND the U.S./Canada border. The agency is not called the U.S. Border Patrol to Control the Influx of Non-White Immigration, it's called the United States Border Patrol. If any financial issues arise, start taking portions of the budget earmarked for the War in Iraq, to provide assistance to the Border Patrol. National Security should begin at home. After all, you don't pay to set up a burglar alarm for a neighbor two blocks down the street that you hardly even know, and then pray to the good Lord that no one comes and breaks into your unsecure home. You take care of your house first. These are just some of the solutions I came up with after seeing solutions our government is dealing with. It's going to be a long debate. By the way, South Texas Chisme, and Dos Centavos have excellent coverage of the protests held around the country this past weekend. Log on through the link list on my side bar, for more information. If any of you have solutions of your own regarding illegal immigration, leave a comment, I'd like to know what you think...