Illegal Immigration.

It is a subject that should be at the forefront of politics today, but it's not.

Every year the Border Patrol makes more than a million arrests of people who flagrantly violate U.S. laws by unlawfully crossing the border to work and to receive publicly-funded services, often with the aid of fraudulent documents. Such entry is a misdemeanor and, if repeated, becomes punishable as a felony.

Arizona is on the right track. Arizona voters approved Proposition 200 on 2 November, 2004; 56 percent to 44 percent.
The initiative, which could result in jail time for government workers who don't report illegal immigrants trying to obtain some services, requiring "proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo ID to vote, and proof of eligibility for non-federally mandated public benefits".

Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime. Those that are affected the most are the poor, children, and minorities.
How?
Simple.
Illegal immigration drains public funds from other sectors that are in need.
A study of the costs of immigration by the National Academy of Sciences found that the taxes paid by immigrants do not cover the cost of services received by them.

We cannot provide high quality education, health care, and retirement security for our own people if we continue to bring in endless numbers of poor, unskilled immigrants.

The money that they make here is sent back to the country they came from to support families there, or to bring more illegal immigrants to America. THis is a drain on our economy and a boost to their respective homeland's economy.

Illegal immigration causes the population of communities across America to be overwhelmed. Schools are overcrowded, natural resources are used up at a higher rate than they can be replenished. Water, power, fuel, and forests are all being affected by the illegal immigration problem.

All of America would benefit if illegal immigrants were denied employment, public assistance benefits, public education, public housing, or any other taxpayer-funded benefits.

The three major components of immigration control--deterrence, apprehension and removal--need to be strengthened by Congress and the Executive Branch if effective control is ever to be a reality.
When I say strengthened, I also mean that those laws that are on the books, should be enforced with zeal.

The cost of enforcing our laws would be offset by the savings that the states, and the federal government saves in reducing the benefits given to illegal immigrants.

Enough is enough!
Write your representatives, both state and federal, and let them know where you stand on this issue.

Stop illegal immigration now!
E.J. Smith