I have resided in McAllen, Texas since 1973 and have personal knowledge and experience surrounding the issues occurring when people cross the US-Mexico at some place other than a legal port of entry, such as an international bridge. They are deemed, by some, as an illegal immigrant.
Now remember, in 1836, Texans, led by General Sam Houston won independence at the battle of San Jacinto and established the border with Mexico as the middle of the Rio Grande. However, since 2005, the federal government has embarked on a program to “secure our border with Mexico” by authorizing the construction of a physical barrier, not in the middle of the river nor on the banks, but on federally regulated river flood control levees that were not built to enforce the border and that are hundreds and even thousands of feet from the river. Building the Border Wall on these levies and, worse, through protected wildlife areas, is in fact the abandonment of the true border which was obtained with considerable loss of blood and treasure through a war 181 years ago.
The so-called "illegal immigrants" are undocumented immigrants.
Rhetoric about illegal immigration and border security conflate the urgent need for a dialogue among the Congress, the White House, Homeland Security, Customs & Border Patrol, US Immigration and all the agencies with the responsibility of enforcement. Building more border walls is a superficial solution. Complaining about the Biden Administration’s failures does nothing to enhance real border security.
It is long past time to set a date and open the conversation on the broad subject of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. These are not just words. The term refers to legislative changes and policies aimed at addressing all the following key elements and perhaps more:
• Border Security: Enhancing border security measures, such as increasing the number of border patrol agents, installing surveillance technology, and improving infrastructure, to deter illegal immigration and ensure the lawful entry of individuals.
• Path to Citizenship: One of the central components of comprehensive immigration reform is providing a pathway to legal status and, ultimately, citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria, such as paying taxes, passing background checks, and demonstrating a commitment to the host country.
• Enforcement of Immigration Laws: Strengthening the enforcement of immigration laws while maintaining respect for due process and human rights.
• Visa System Reforms: Reviewing and updating the visa system to make it more efficient and responsive to economic and family reunification needs. This may involve creating new visa categories, increasing visa quotas, and reducing visa processing backlogs.
• Employment-Based Immigration: Reforms to streamline the process for skilled and unskilled workers to enter the country for employment purposes. This can include changes to visa programs for high-skilled workers, agricultural workers, and temporary laborers.
• Family Reunification: Strengthening family reunification policies, which allow citizens and legal residents to sponsor close family members for immigration. This may involve reducing waiting times and expanding the definition of eligible family members.
• Humanitarian Relief: Addressing issues related to asylum, refugee resettlement, and other forms of humanitarian protection. This includes making the asylum process more efficient, providing support for refugees, and addressing issues like Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• DREAM Act: Providing a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children (often referred to as "Dreamers"). This group may be granted a special legal status to allow them to remain and work in the country.
• Interior Enforcement: Enhancing measures to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes or pose a threat to national security.
• E-Verify: Implementing or enhancing electronic employment verification systems to ensure that employers hire only authorized workers.
• Integration and Civic Education: Promoting the integration of immigrants into the host country, including language and civic education programs.
• Temporary Worker Programs: Expanding or revising temporary worker programs that allow foreign workers to fill labor shortages in various industries for a defined period.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by veteran real estate broker Mike Blum. It appears in The Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Blum can be reached by email via: mikeb@nairgv.com.
Editor’s Note: Mike Blum tells the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service that he wrote his column before learning of and reading about the recent visit to the Rio Grande by five Republican US senators.
