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Colonel's
Corner - Arizona's Law
The response across the political
spectrum to Arizona’s recently passed
immigration law defies logic. From the
Mexican President, to California’s reaction
to the press coverage, to the Obama
administration’s attacks, Arizona has
withstood an assault on their state
sovereignty that is illogical, biased and
demonstrates a lack of understanding of the
issues.
The Arizona border is
regularly penetrated by a variety of
illegals, from those seeking to work and/or
settle in America to drug smugglers to, in
all probability, terrorists. We have
national laws against illegal immigration
which the federal government refuses to
enforce. Whether you agree or disagree with
the laws, they are the law of the land and
should either be changed or enforced.
Political scientists often define a
“nation-state” as a territory whose
government can raise revenue, e.g. tax its
citizens, and which controls its territory.
Washington has the former under control –
they have no problem raising and collecting
taxes from us! But it is failing miserably
in the latter.
Arizona is faced with
a serious security situation. Residents
living near the border face regular dangers.
Farmers see their land used as way stations
on regular routes from Mexico to America.
Kidnappings in Tucson are up dramatically.
Property crimes in the border areas are
increasing at an alarming rate. Some of this
is tied to the drug trade, some to the mere
mass of illegals crossing under the
direction of “coyotes”, e.g. men who
coordinate border crossing operations for a
substantial fee. Americans are urged not to
hike in the beautiful Sierra Vista mountains
along the border. It is insane that we
cannot enjoy one of nature’s wonders because
our government lacks the will to secure part
of the nation from foreign influences.
It is disgusting that our President
sided with Felipe Caleron, the Mexican
President, who attacked the Arizona law
while a guest of the United States. Mexico
deals severely with illegals, such as
Guatemalans, who attempt to enter their
country illegally. The second time they are
caught it is a 10 year sentence in a Mexican
prison. Compare that to how reasonably we
treat illegal immigrants. President Obama
should have stood up for America. Speaker
Pelosi, the senior member of the legislative
branch, should have assailed the attack on
our sovereign right to secure our borders.
Our Congressmen, including Dan Lipinski,
should have been up in arms at the insults.
For Obama to tolerate being publicly
“counseled” by the President of a virtually
failed state, whose citizens are braving
scorching desert heat to leave the country,
is unconscionable and an affront to all
Americans.
Most irksome was Caleron’s
comment that he opposed the law that
“criminalizes migration” of his citizens to
America. For a neighboring leader to imply
that his citizens have a right to “migrate”
at their convenience to another nation
defies comprehension. Mexico does not permit
“migration” into their nation, neither from
America nor from its southern neighbors.
Those “migrating” are immediately expelled,
no health care benefits, no schooling for
their kids, no welfare housing, nothing but
the threat of the 10 year prison sentence if
they return. And it is an extreme affront to
the immigrants who have received their green
cards or citizenship legally in accordance
with the laws of the nation.
Testimony to the Arizona legislature
outlined the methodology of the drug trade’s
movement of drugs into the US. They move in
military formations with scouts in front,
followed by a forward guard, flank and rear
guard forces all heavily armed. Folks, that
formation mirrors what I was taught in the
US Army Ranger School. It is a classic
military operation run by professionals,
many ex-Mexican Army soldiers are hired by
the cartels. The border patrol and local
police are not equipped to confront this
type of threat.
Around the turn of
the last century, the US Cavalry and the
Mexican Army jointly secured the border
areas. It was a highly successful
partnership. We need to reestablish that
security model. However as long as the
Mexican President believes that their
citizens have a right to “migrate” to
America, any help from the Mexican Army
would be problematic. Caleron needs to
demonstrate the political will to work with
America to stem the flow across our common
international border.
America should
utilize limited Army assets to secure the
open areas between the official border
crossings, which would continue to be
handled by the Border Patrol. Cavalry
Regiments are well trained to secure large
areas, their equipment, intelligence and
command and control structures are designed
to integrate a wide variety of ground, air
and sensor assets needed to identify and
interdict illegal operations attempting to
penetrate the border. The ROEs (Rules Of
Engagement) would need to be written to
preclude unnecessary harm to civilians, but
which would support engaging border
penetration operations by the drug cartels.
Finally, we need to develop a national
solution to the immigrant issue that
provides a win-win situation.
• A
guest worker program would be beneficial if
an American cannot be found to do a
particular job, or for a position that
requires skills for which there are
shortages in this country.
•
Foreigners without a green card applying for
a guest worker opportunity should be
required to do so from a location outside
the US in order to discourage people from
remaining illegally in the country.
•
Employers must submit social security
numbers for verification for all new hires,
and the government must verify names and
social security numbers within 48 hours of a
request.
• Substantial penalties
need to be implemented for employers who use
laborers after they have been identified as
illegal, or who are hired without using the
verification process.
These are
starting points for a comprehensive
solution.
Doing nothing is, in fact,
a decision, e.g. to maintain the status quo.
This is not acceptable. Washington needs to
get off their butt and start addressing the
problem. Arizona should not be vilified for
doing Washington’s job.
Want to make a difference? Join The Bendas Brigade at
www.bendasforcongress.com.
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