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 Editorials | Opinions | July 2007 
Immigration Reform is a Pipe Dream
 John Laird - The Columbian
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 |  | Just about all immigrants - including my ancestors and those of most of you - want the same thing: the freedom to provide for their families. |  | |
Earlier this year when the immigration-reform debate heated up, I bet a colleague five bucks that no immigration-reform bill would be sent to the president by Labor Day. This is like taking candy from a baby, although I've got to wait until Labor Day to collect.
Living on the southern U.S. border for more than a quarter of a century did not qualify me as an expert on immigration issues, but it did qualify me as a veteran border observer. Here are three myths about immigration that I discovered during those years:
Myth: We need a 700-mile fence. In fact, let's just fence the whole Mexican border, however long it is.
Reality: I yield the floor to Silvestre Reyes, a bona fide expert. Reyes is a retired, 26-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol who in 1993 instituted "Operation Hold the Line" in El Paso, Texas. This expensive, controversial and successful strategy concentrated resources directly on the border, full time. In highly populated areas, it was virtually impossible to cross the border illegally without being seen by a bevy of Border Patrol agents who were parked about a quarter of a mile apart.
The strategy was copied in San Diego in 1994 and remains in various hybrid forms even today.
Reyes' fame grew, and he retired a couple of years later. Now, he is an 11-year veteran of Congress: U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas. Last year Reyes told the House Homeland Security Committee that border fences work well in densely populated areas, but not beyond, "and that is why I oppose the 730-mile fence as well as proposals for a nearly 2,000-mile fence to run the entire length of the border." Instead, Reyes wisely advised, spend that $2.2 billion on personnel, equipment, and technology, enough even to "double the current size of the Border Patrol."
Myth: Mexican immigrants don't want to assimilate.
Reality: If they're smart, they certainly do want to learn American ways, and my experience tells me that they're about as smart as we are.
For a few years in the 1990s I taught a remedial writing course at El Paso Community College, working with students whose primary language was not English. When each semester began, I would ask them, "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Every hand went up. "Well, I can't make you one, but you can make yourself one. Pass this course, learn how to write in English, and most of you will see your lifetime earning capacity push or exceed a million bucks."
I watched them think about my offer. Then they talked about it, in broken English. Most of their comments were about what they could do for their loved ones with that kind of money.
Teaching these students was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I saw them coming to class sick; they believed attendance was that crucial. I saw them staying after class, begging for extra help. Finally, I saw most of them pass the course and walk - no, strut - out the door and down the road toward their million bucks.
Just about all immigrants - including my ancestors and those of most of you - want the same thing: the freedom to provide for their families.
Myth: English should become the official language of the United States.
Reality: With great glee I have watched the gradual fading of such silly crusades as "English Only!" or "English First!" or "English Doo-Dah!" or whatever else they tried to call it.
English already is the official language of the United States for all practical purposes. And because most immigrants to this country are rational and logical, they know that it's vital to learn English. If they don't know this, or if they don't care, then they face the same severe consequence that confronts anyone who is unknowing or uncaring: They forfeit any hope for prosperity because they are held back in employment. No, because they held themselves back.
I could probably make another $5 bet and extend the deadline for many years. More than likely, our immigration policy never will be properly reformed. The right is too angry about illegal immigrants, the left is too lenient about law enforcement, both sides think they're geniuses and neither side gives an inch.
It's much easier to just argue about myths.
john.laird@columbian.com |
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