Go Ahead & Make a Run for the Border

Column originally published 1-11-07

Immigration debate over in U.S.

By Kelvin Wade

My girlfriend and I were at the snack bar at DeNio's farmers market in Roseville last summer. As we stood in line in the sweltering heat, taking in our surroundings, our eyes locked on each other and she half smiled. She didn't have to say a word. I knew what she was thinking.

It's over. The illegal immigration "debate" is over. Tejano music blared from speakers around the snack bar. Every single person within eyesight, some 30 to 40 people, was Hispanic. Signs and menus were in Spanish. Orders were being taken in Spanish.

While I had no way of knowing who was legal and who wasn't, I knew that the debate was over.

The public overwhelmingly opposes illegal immigration, but there's been no one to look after their interests. A bipartisan coalition of politicians, some who are beholden to business interests that exploit the cheap labor and the others hoping to court Hispanic votes, sold the country out.

Everywhere you look, you can see the signs that America has thrown in the towel. I'll give you some examples.

This week, Gov. Schwarzenegger virtually announced the debate was over when he unveiled a new health-care plan for California that would cover everyone, including illegal immigrants. The same governor who found something wrong with handing out licenses to illegals supports using tax dollars to cover their health care.

A week ago, a small group of National Guardsman retreated on the Arizona border after being approached by four gunmen from Mexico. Obviously President Bush ordered the guard to the border for show, not enforcement. What other nation would allow armed men to enter the country illegally without a fight?

Police departments across the country are hamstrung by laws that prevent them from enforcing or even asking about the immigration status of suspects.

Toys R Us found itself caught in the illegal immigration "debate" when they rescinded their $25,000 prize to the first baby born in 2007 when it was revealed that the Chinese parents were illegals. Even though it clearly states in the rules that parents must be legal residents, Toys R Us realized the debate was over and awarded the first three babies born prizes. Everyone gets a trophy.

Customers of Pizza Patron, a pizza chain in Texas, will be able to purchase food using pesos through the month of February. It's reported the plan may be extended. Don't be surprised if more border restaurants and stores follow suit because the issue of illegal vs. legal, American currency vs. foreign currency is apparently moot.

The Bush Administration is mulling a plan to expand the number of non-citizens in the U.S. military with the incentive being a quicker path to citizenship. It's not clear whether it would be open to only legal immigrants or illegals, as well. But I don't put it past this administration to encourage illegals to run across the border straight to a recruiting center.

If people can come here illegally and find goods and services in their native languages, have access to health care and be treated like a citizen, then why would they assimilate? Why learn English if you don't need it to live comfortably in the states? Why become a citizen?

Don't debate it. The debate's over.