US Senate approves $3 billion for 'strengthening' US-Mexican border; more substantial immigration reform is needed

With a 95-1 vote yesterday the Senate expressed overwhelming support for tacking on an additional $3 billion to a Pentagon Appropriation Bill of $459 billion that already exceeds the Pentagon's budget. As AP reports, the money is to go toward securing the 700 miles of border shared by the US and Mexico.

The money approved Wednesday would go toward seizing "operational control" over the U.S.-Mexico border by using additional Border Patrol agents, vehicle barriers, border fencing and observation towers. It would also be used to pursue immigrants who had entered the United States legally but overstayed their visas.

"This $3 billion will accomplish that and will help fully fund an operationally secure border," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. "That is the first step to effective immigration reform, having a border that we know is secure."

While the article makes it seem that the bill's passage is the sole doing of the Republicans, obviously for 95 of 100 US Senators to vote in favor, the Democrats played a role as well. Jared, sitting next to me as I write, not able to believe the almost unanimous support behind the recent vote said in astonishment, "What? I can't believe the almost unanimous support for this thing. Has that ever happened before?" Unfortunately Jared, yes it has, over and over.

What I'm referring to is the Democrats` being put in a situation in which they feel they have no other option but to side with Republicans in showing that they too care about American security. Especially in the last two years since Democrats in both the Senate and House have made it a priority to end the War in Iraq, they have shown themselves afraid/unable to disable the 'security' trap. The mechanics of the trap can be seen in action in any of Bush's last several State of the Union Addresses. For instance, Bush will be cruising through one of his generic rants about how the US has to remain steadfast in its patriotic mission of delivering democracy and freedom to Iraq and that it can only do so by sending more troops to fight. Then, right before he finishes the thought, he mutters something about 'national security' and immediately the Democrats, with their arms crossed and appearing unamused, dutifully, yet reluctantly rise to their feet not wanting to be taken for 'woosies' when it comes to protecting Amurrica.

I'm not criticizing the Democrats for having an interest in America's security, in fact, I'm all for a government protecting its country and its citizens from both internal and external threats. I just think, in the case of defending our borders from being 'invaded' by starving Mexicans, the best security will be achieved not by building higher walls and more decked out military outposts, but by eliminating the main source of the war taking place along the border: illegal immigration. The only way this can be done is by giving Mexicans a means of legally integrating into American society. This has to do with making it easier for them to enter in the first place:

The answer is not to merely spend more to enforce the existing, dysfunctional law, but to change it. Immigration reform must include an expanded visa program so that willing workers from Mexico and elsewhere can enter the United States legally to help us build a more vibrant economy, and reform must offer a path to legal status for workers already here. (I strongly encourage you to read the rest of the article)

A fact is that our country has always relied on immigrants to make the trip over here and fill those jobs that we Americans would rather not. And despite what author Sam Quinones writes in his recent editorial piece, I think it's misleading to believe that Mexicans are leaving their families behind on some ideological mission with the aim of achieving the 'American dream.' Instead, I think the vast majority of Mexican immigrants are simply attracted to the higher wages offered for unskilled labor in the US.

The argument is often made that if Mexicans simply are coming to the US with the intention of making some extra money to send back to their family, it's their own fault that they aren't able to be better integrated into American society. However, as is the same with those that have sought economic refuge in our country in the past, Mexicans can only be expected to desire a more permanent place in our society once we reform our laws so as to give them an opportunity to do exactly that. This sounds like speculation but it can be evidenced by the surprising tone adopted by the string of massive rallies held last year as the US Congress was in the process of voting on immigration reform. To the astonishment of many, the predominantly Mexican crowds at the rallies proudly waved American flags and emphatically cheered on speakers who expressed their joint interest in becoming true American citizens.

I do agree with Quinones that the ultimate solution to Mexico's economic problems can't be placed solely on the shoulders of the US. For sure, something drastic has to be done to repair Mexico's government's tradition of rampant corruption. And more fundamentally, it tears away at the cultural fabric of both countries if in one people feel that the only way to improve their lives is by leaving and in the other, the new comers are given no chance to become anything more than just temporary passers-thru.

But, to bring the discussion back to American security, it IS in our country's national interest to give those Mexicans willing to establish a legitimate life-style within our borders a chance to do so. Not only will we be boosting our own economy we will be securing our borders by, as I mentioned above, removing the necessity that Mexicans often have now of entering the US illegally.

Thoughts?