U.S. Rep. K. Michael Conaway: A West Texas perspective on immigration
Dallas Morning News Opinion-Editorial by Mike Conaway
Washington,
Apr 6, 2006 -
Reform must strike balance between security and jobs
As I write this, emotionally charged crowds are assembling in protest all over America. In cities like Dallas, Los Angeles and Phoenix, the policy debate over immigration reform has spilled into the streets of our urban communities and degenerated into a media frenzy. Unfortunately, this debate has become clouded with emotion and characterized by extreme groups and individuals on both sides.
As I talk to my constituents throughout rural Texas, I hear about the positive and negative impacts of illegal immigration. The wide-open terrain of Texas' 11th District is composed of 36 rural counties that stretch about 400 miles from the New Mexico border to Marble Falls. Although there is great concern in the district about this critical issue, the overall debate has not fallen victim to extremist rhetoric.
Just 300 miles west, the cinderblock shanties of Juarez line the border. They are shadowed by the tall buildings and suburban homes of El Paso – the dream of a better life for their families in plain sight. The hope that America gives many immigrants is enough to abandon their homes, head north, cross the desert and risk their lives.
Thousands of illegal immigrants take this risk every day to come to a place where they are paid to do work Americans will not do. It is easy to forget that these immigrants provide many farmers, ranchers and small-business owners with labor that leads to more affordable food, homes and clothing for all us.
While most of us understand the desire of immigrants to come to America, we cannot risk our own security – not after Sept. 11, 2001.
Our immigration system is broken. First, let's set a goal for border security. We should put in place the right tools and trained professionals to interdict every individual who tries to cross the border illegally. We will disagree, perhaps, about how this is done, but we can agree on the goal, which will be easier to accomplish if we reduce the number of individuals trying to sneak into our country.
Second, real immigration reform must include a non-amnesty temporary worker program that is citizenship neutral. A temporary worker program should neither help nor hurt individuals or their families as it pertains to the citizenship process. Let's run the citizenship process separate from the worker program. I believe that participants in the program should waive birthright citizenship for any children born to them while they are in this country. A temporary worker program will not sacrifice the safety of our citizens and will make enforcement manageable.
A rational and comprehensive immigration reform package must strike a balance so that we can protect America while acknowledging the important economic contributions that these temporary foreign workers make. We can agree on the proper fines and sanctions for illegal immigrants whose only wrongdoing is sneaking into this country so that this program is not considered amnesty for that wrongdoing.
Finally, enforcement of the law is essential. By creating legal channels for temporary workers to enter and exit the country, our Border Patrol agents and other enforcement officials can use all of their resources to target, catch and arrest the drug traffickers and terrorists who seek to do us harm. A temporary worker program should include increased penalties against businesses and employers who blatantly ignore the law. Enforcement of our reformed immigration laws will send a clear message to immigrants in every country that the only path to a job in America is through legal means.
Meaningful immigration reform must consist of much more than additional Border Patrol agents, taller fences and improved technology. As the debate in Congress continues, it is imperative that we face our prejudices, biases and fears and not allow them to taint the solutions we develop. We are better than that. We have some hard things to say, but we do not have to be harsh or mean-spirited when we say them. We should strive to find solutions that are in the best interest of all Americans. The safety and livelihood of our communities depend on it.
The time has come for us to provide answers to this complex and growing problem. It will require civil discussion and reason, but the answers are right in front of us. We just need to seize them before it is too late.
U.S. Rep. K. Michael Conaway is a CPA and a Republican from Midland. He is a member of the House Agriculture, Armed Services and Budget committees.
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