Dumb and Dumber: Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham

Barack Obama announced his support for a comprehensive immigration reform bill being sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Here are some details of the bill:

* Illegal aliens must admit they broke the law
* Pay a fine and back taxes
* Perform community service
* Pass background checks
* Be proficient in English
* Grant legal status to those who receive a masters degree or doctorate from a U.S. university
* Zero tolerance for illegal aliens who commit crimes
* Flexible system which bring in more immigrants when the economy is strong, and fewer during a recession
* Require all U.S. citizens to get a new Social Security card with built in biometrics

Are any of you disgusted, or is it just me? The bill does nothing but reward those who have broken the law, and offers ridiculous rules that won’t be instituted or enforced in any serious way. If you think I’m wrong, think about the points listed above and ask a few questions:

1. If someone has been here illegally for 10 years, how would we know how much they owe in taxes? The situation is ripe for evasion.
2. How much will the fine be? Will it be reduced for people who are low income? (Let’s hope not).
3. They must pass background checks. Will all crimes be grounds for deportation? Just felonies? Just violent felonies?
4. Do you really think illegal aliens will be turned away for not being proficient in English? If you do, I have a bridge I’ll sell you.
5. How much will biometric cards cost, and will they further compromise the privacy law-abiding citizens?

I wasn’t expecting much out of this bill, and I received what I expected. You might think I’m just some guy who sits around criticizing people without offering any ideas of my own. So, without further ado, here are some of my suggestions for immigration reform:

1. Make it a felony to enter the United States illegally, or intentionally over-stay a Visa.
2. Make English the official language of the United States.
3. Do not offer amnesty of any kind to any illegal aliens.
4. End the anchor baby provision.
5. Mandatory jail time and steep fines for employees who knowingly hire illegal aliens.
6. Further enhance the e-verify database and support the expansion of its use.
7. Militarize the Mexican border.
8. Streamline the deportation process.
9. Giver preference to immigrants who are educated, have job skills, and speak English. Enhancing the economy, not unifying families, should be the goal of our immigration policy. The United States isn’t the world’s social worker.
10. Construct walls (not fences) along the Mexican border, focusing on the most frequently traveled areas.
11. Increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to increase the security of our country.
12. Adults who came to the United States illegally should be ineligible to return.
13. Reduce immigration for a period of time in order to encourage the assimilation of those who have arrived recently.

I believe these are excellent ideas which would protect our security, protect our jobs, enhance our economy, and encourage assimilation. Of course, I wouldn’t expect any immigration bill coming out of Washington to look anything like this. Many Democrats are obsessed with increasing their pool of potential voters, while many Republicans are obsessed with bringing in a source of cheap labor for their deep-pocketed donors. While these politicians are selfishly pursuing votes and donations, our country continues to be overwhelmed.