Many have asked what my stance on immigration is. With the controversy surrounding Arizona's new immigration bill, this seems like a germane time. It is really quite simple for me. I am 100% in favor of LEGAL immigration. I would be willing to explore raising the 650K yearly limit to possibly 1 million although you would have to make a very compelling reason why that would be necessary. I would be willing to adjust the quotas that we have for each nationality of immigrant. I would be willing to devise a system that allowed for migratory workers to flow back and forth, provided they are properly accounted for and taxed just like any other working individual. Give us your poor, tired and huddled masses. We only ask one thing, you get in line and check in. I am very much opposed to ILLEGAL immigration. Since when do we grant amnesty to people willingly breaking the law? Even political refugees and people claiming political asylum are counted for and processed under the legal guidelines. Estimates have ranged from 20 million to 80 million illegal immigrants have entered this country in the last several years. By all historical accounts (using the 20 million) that is the largest invasion in world history. It may be peaceful if you don't count the crime many times associated with these individuals or the individuals practicing as couriers of humans. There is not another country on the planet that is so tolerant to let that many people have access to their resources and direct influence on their politic. It is dangerous to their sovereignty and they will claim so proudly. Perhaps the most unsettling part is plain courtesy. How rude is it to cut to the front of the line? Why should lawbreakers be granted amnesty while legal immigrants have been paying application fees, waiting for approval (sometimes for years), paying taxes and being a part of the system they want to join? That is akin to giving the cheaters A's and the people that studied C's. I see Arizona in desperation by enacting this bill. They knew the political pressure would be on and did so anyway. It is a direct statement to the federal government that says: enforce the laws you have. If you choose not to then it is our duty and obligation to protect our state, not to mention the Constitutional right to do so. Inevitably, the proponents of giving the country away will cry racial profiling. The law is not much different than the federal law that is not being enforced. Many states already have identification requirements. Will Hispanics be stopped and asked for their ID, Absolutely, but much like Central Florida, Hispanics are the majority and not the minority so this will of course occur. And in their zeal to be PC, law enforcement will feel obligated to spread the enforcement around. Witness the 80 year old grandma that got searched at the airport after 9/11. In the end if you have identification that proves your legal status within the country, you will be told to have a nice day. If you do not, you will be illegal and the law will finally be enforced and you will be escorted out of the country. It is a tough solution to a tough problem and the State is doing what the Feds do not have the political will to do and that is secure their sovereignty. This is not a racial issue, it's a criminal, political, and sovereignty (state and federal) issue. There are illegal immigrants from all over. Some of the larger groups come from the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Southeast Asia. I will concede that most of these illegals are not entering through Arizona, but the law could and should apply to them as well. In addition to giving local authorities the power to identify and remove illegal immigrants, I believe you need to address a primary source of enticement. The businesses that sponsor illegally coming here to work should be punished with a first time warning and massive fine and the second offense should be a revocation of business license. I do not care what color of skin you have or what language you speak, you are welcome to come to America and start a new life. You can do so with minimal difficulty and lots of help legally. It may take a little time and there is a line in front of you, but most say it's worth it. Should you choose to disobey the laws and cheat other humans from their rightful spot, then regardless of your cultural background you should be asked to leave.
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Steve Edmonds is running for Florida State Senate District 24. This is a series of his views on how he perceives that government should work.
Steve Edmonds is running for the Florida State Senate District 24. To find our more on Steve Edmonds and his stand on issues, visit him at www.edmonds4senate24.com.
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