The Great Amnesty Bill of 2007 …

… according to George Will.

There was never any question where the liberals in this country stood. If you provide amnesty to enough poor illegal immigrants, you’ve got that many more people on the entitlement gravy train. That translates into more Democrat voters.

There was never any question where the US Chamber types stood. They understand that amnesty for 12 million - 20 million illegal immigrants is a twofer. You have 12 million - 20 million low wage workers now made legal. You also have the a HUGE influx of new illegal aliens. It’s a given that once they cross the border, immigration enforcement is near non-existent except for the periodic media event. That means wage rates will be driven even lower.

WAIT! I thought that the new “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” bill put enforcement first. Sure. I also have some real estate between Brooklyn and Manhattan to sell you. As we have learned since 1986, granting amnesty to illegals all but guarantees that the next invasion will be greater than the last.

One argument FOR amnesty is that we need this huge influx in immigration to fund entitlements such as Social Security. According to the Heritage Foundation this is a red herring -

On Monday, however, Robert Rector of The Heritage Foundation stunned some senators who heard his argument that continuing, under family-based immigration, to import a low-skilled population will cost the welfare state far more than the immigrants’ contributions to the economy and government. He argued that low-skilled immigrants are costly to the welfare state at every point in their life cycle, and are very costly when elderly. Just the 9 million to 10 million illegal adults already here will, if given amnesty, cost an average of $300,000 — cumulatively, more than $2.5 trillion — in various entitlements (Social Security, food stamps, Medicaid, housing, etc.) over 30 years.

I realize that it’s not politically correct; I understand that it may cost the GOP some money from the US Chamber; but why don’t we try a novel idea - NO AMNESTY, MORE ENFORCEMENT. Dig a trench, 30 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Line it with concrete. Put up an electrified fence, 10 feet high, on either side of the trench from below San Diego to Brownsville, TX. This bizarre notion that a fence somehow sends the wrong message sounds as if the Border Patrol has joined the NEA - Pump more money into the system; get poorer results.

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