According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the apprehension and deportation of illegal immigrants into this nation is a plausible action that should be purused more vigorously. More specifically,



A recent publicized study by the Center for American Progress has found the opposite in a report by a Williams & Mary economist. In it, the author concludes:

*The cost for deporting illegals would be $206 billion to $230 billion over five years

*The low-end figure surpasses the FY budget for Homeland Security

*Currently, $19.3 billion is allocated for apprehension and deportation of illegals-this number would have to be doubled.

*This new program would be more than double the military operations that are currently going on in Afghanistan

The report figures in variables, such as 20% of immigrants leaving voluntarily. Personally, I believe this factor is figured too high. I personally know of an illegal family who was informed that they would be deported. They fled to Colorado and have moved on with their lives. Why go back when there are fifty other states that bureaucrat will be unable to find you in in all likelihood? Factors of price include apprehension, detention, prosecution, housing, and transportation.

The center's fact sheet can be found here.

Interestingly enough, an article in the Christian Science Monitor highlights a possible third way in dealing with this issue.

Questions for debate.










*Edited to add the CS Monitor link.

I think it makes a certain amount of sense to allow free immigration. Of course, not just completely open boarders, but we should let in as many people as we can reasonably absorb. Then give federal money to help the states most affected. Sure, it would cost a lot to provide such a large amount of social services, but it is easier to help Mexicans here than try to help them in Mexico. And I think that the costs of deportation are the clincher here. I mean, basically we are paying a bunch of money to ensure that a great number of people do not get the health care, child care, money for basic necessities that they need. They are not going to get it in their countries, only here.

And if we start having a shortage of jobs for low-skilled labor, just lower the minimum wage and supplement incomes with money from the government.

I would advocate restriction of immigration for security reasons, as well as to keep the flow at a manageable level. But other then that I would let as many people in as possible.

I am in favor of closing the borders to illegal immigration for security concerns.

I see no reason to round up illegals already in the states and send them back.

The border should be sealed and everyone here should simply be encouraged to register with no fear of retribution.

The biggest problem with illegal immigration is it's undocumented nature, so give them documents.

We should also allow for greater legal immigration from Mexico and Central America to allay economic loss to these countries.

Documented immigrants are no problem at all.

1.)Would the high price of mass deportation to the liking of FAIR be worth it?

If, and only if, it was a one time charge and it actually works. I doubt it would be either.

2.)What are some alternatives to mass deportation that could be more effective and cost effective?

Make it easier for the honest, hard working types to become legal, and make it more punitive for the criminal element. Serious long term prison terms for drug pushers, mules, etc. with an added punishment for being here without permission.

3.)Should our illegal immigration laws be changed? Should we have Wal-Mart sized processing centers to make a more stream-lined system?

Might help. Surely there are some closed military bases that could be used. Such bases will even have room for medical facilities. Why not have the Mexican government supply the doctors and nurses? We provide the facilities, they provide the staff.
There should also be background checks done by both governments, to weed out the criminals. Perhaps that could be done at the "Wal-Mart".

1. Consider the fact that deporting illegal aliens and the capital/human resources that would be needed to send them back would far outweigh what it costs to keep them here. When considering the terrorist-related component, we could employ a UK-esque policy of sending back anyone that even mentions militant notions. I don't think that foreign nationals on our soil should have any rights in this matter... let's just send them back.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/ar...e+--+World+News

2. Alternatives to mass deportation could include using the drivers' licensing/car registration system to force documentation. Illegal aliens in TX often run into insurance issues, registration problems, etc due to their illegal status, which I believe encourages further illegal activity.

3. Wal-Mart, ironically, would actually be a great place to "sub-contract" documentation!!! Consider the income levels of Illegal Immigrants and the business that Walmart caters to... I would imagine that many illegal immigrants patronize Walmart. (just speculation of course)
That being said, we could use the model that many states have used for vehicle inspections, and allow Walmart to process such paperwork (of course at a price). This would alleviate the need for buildings, added personell, and increased capital expenditure.

When you consider the nature of our INS system and the fact that terrorists probably aren't going to get documented, we could utilize Wal-Marts (or other authorized centers) to handle these tasks. We might also need to send an agent to these stores for security risks. This might increase the need for staffing marginally, but not nearly as much as completely INS staffed centers. If I were to venture to guess, keeping terrorists at bay would have to start by beefing up border security or allowing private organizations (ie the Minute Men) to aid in the process.

The thing that gets me about all of this is that we are already pouring money down the drain so to speak, to enforce a broken policy. I mean, it's like prohibition, it's become a complete and total joke. In terms of "thinking outside the box" I would like to see something along the lines of giant processing centers where we can conduct background checks on them(with cooperation from the Mexican government to weed out the criminals and drug sellers) In regards to terrorism, I'm sure many of them would talk if promised bonuses and free amenities(i.e.-HUD housing, etc.) if their information came to a credible conclusion. I highly doubt that muslim terrorists would squeeze into a truck next to a Catholic latino and not be found out, but I guess stranger things have happened.

We might also want to consider that without immigration, we would be pretty darn close to negative population growth, which will really hurt us as the "boomers" retire and their health care gets expensive. My grandmother turned 65 in 1975. She lived another forty years. The more workers we have employed and paying taxes(through a streamline process highlighted above) perhaps it will become unnecessary to raise taxes to pay for expensive care. You can't think of an easier solution to increase the base of working people than the people we have now who are coming into this country.

If you think that's high, can anyone guess how much it would cost to round them up and incarcerate them in prison systems that are already bursting at the seams? Well, that's exactly what the House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay wants to do.

A few months after baring his derriere for the public to see on the Terri Schiavo case, DeLay has done an encore. I never thought of it like this before, but it's like DeLay has invented a new technique we might properly call political mooning.

Taking a page from Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s book, (It must be as the Teresa Brewer Song of the 50s, "a mutual admiration society" of two) DeLay wants to call in the National Guard, round up illegal aliens and jail them in tents.

If someone has missed the mean spirited inhumanity of Mr.-bring-back-DDT, here it is for all the world to see.

From The Houston Chronicle.



http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3297425

1.)Would the high price of mass deportation to the liking of FAIR be worth it?
In order for the Government to do a mass deportation, they would have to play Big Brother and violate people's privacy. As much as I dislike illegal immigrants competing with poor unemployed Americans for jobs, I would much rather put up with that than allow the Government to violate my 4th Amendment.

2.)What are some alternatives to mass deportation that could be more effective and cost effective?
An idea that might help address the illegal immigration problem in the longterm would be for the US government to help and encourage Mexicans to use more birthcontrol. If Mexico can't support its own population, they should either reform their own economy or have less children.

Another possibility, although quite unAmerican, could be for the Government to pay the Mafia to patrol the Mexican border. I don't hate foreign workers enough to advocate anything like that. It certainly would do a good job at scaring the illegal immigrants away though.

3.)Should our illegal immigration laws be changed? Should we have Wal-Mart sized processing centers to make a more stream-lined system?
I have heard the argument that Mexicans take the jobs Americans don't want and thus improves the living standard for Middle Class America. The truth is that there are many poor Americans who actually need the lower paying jobs. It just happens to be that Americans, including the poor ones, want a wage that is liveable. Just imagine yourself working at a Burger King and paying your rent by sharing a studio apartment with 3 other people. I think Middle class America could pay its own poor workers a little better and not try to rely on cheap labor for everything.

Addressing catquas quotes...




You mean open the borders and let everyone in? How sensible is that?

Illegal immigrants are breaking the law? Do we not punish those in the United States for breaking the law? Why are they any different? Illegals break the law and are rewarded for doing it. Rewarded with free medical care, free housing, free education, voting rights, college scholarships?
Do they really deserve free benefits at our expense? And people wonder why health care is so high.

A good percentage of our own American citizens do not even receive these benefits?



Don’t welcoming millions of law-breakers have negative social consequences for America? Look at our present prison statistics. How many are illegal aliens? I would suggest reading Invasion by Michelle Malkin. She points out very well the negative social consequences of illegals on our country.






Mexico should help their own citizens. Let’s put pressure on them to do just that.
That seems sensible to me.




Is it the burden of the American taxpayer to support every person living on this planet? Is it really our responsibility?



I can’t even comment on this one.


Illegals should be sent home to stand in line behind those who have been trying to immigrate here the lawful way?

That seems sensible to me.

Unless you and others were hiding immigrants, the feds would take no notice of you. Why would they pester a caucasian family and not say.....a meat packing or turkey plant?




The problem is over-population? That is not the reason why the Mexican economy is in shambles. That is more of a thing having to do with corrupt politicians and poor economic decision making on their part. Not only that, but it is just common sense that people will move to where the good jobs are. Since population is a concern of yours, you might itnerested to learn:

Immigrants have saved numerous states from negative population growth and shrinking economies.



As well as....


Source



The mafia, which consists of a dozen or so families and is primarily located in the northeast, is going to patrol 1,951 miles of rugged desert land across various states? There wouldn't be enough money in the world to pay them to do it, even if that was desirable. And even if you could, it wouldn't be any more cost effective than our current system or a mass deportation one by any means. They make tons of money off of legitimate businesses, as well as through prostitution, gaming, and construction contracts. That is no chump change for uncle sam to try and pay up for patrols.




The problem is, even if we did have a good number of people who would work the kill floors of packing plants and work as hotel cleaning ladies, there aren't enough of them. As cited previously, we would be experiencing a shortage of workers for what is essentially, an expanding economy. Without these workers, jobs would go unoccupied. The libertarian oriented CATO Institute has published a report outlining the positive benefits of immigration that we experience today. What is the guy at Burger King to do? He should take night classes and get an associates degree in computers/desk top design. He could then start his own business and become more successful.

First of all the United States is pro-immigration and pro-immigrant. If you live in a foreign nation and want to live and work in the United States you can do it. To do so there are proper channels one must go through to immigrate. Those channels are necessary to screen out diseases, criminals, terrorists, etc.

Should people who subvert those legal channels and enter our borders in a secretive fashion be treated equally with those who immigrate legally? No, it would be unjust. Deportation of illegal immigrants is the fair solution.

Here are some facts on illegal immigration:

1. Every year about a half million people enter the U.S. border illegally.
2. There is an estimated 11 million illegal aliens in the U.S. (Pew Hispanic Center)
3. The monetary cost to society for illegal aliens is $40 billion each year.
4. 25% of prisoners in California are illegal aliens (I don't have national stats).

So if it'll cost $200 billion to deport everyone, we'll start saving money in just about five years.

My position on immigration is and always has been this: I support immigration. I think that any patriotic american would support immigration as it is the cornerstone of our nation. But what we cannot have and cannot allow is illegal, undocumented immigrants coming into this country. We don't know if they are criminals or terrorists or what and that is the problem.

I don't think we should deport EVERY illegal immigrant in this country as that is not practical nor reasonable. What we shoulod do is three things:

A ) shut down the border- I don't care how...use the military, national guard, civilian auxilary, a big huge wall...it doesn't matter. Shut it down.

B ) if an illegal immigrant is discovered in the US, then that person must be documented and have a background check done on them to make sure that they have no criminal or terrorist history. If they are shown to have no bad record and only want to work in this country to support their families...put them through the process that makes them pay taxes and all the other necessities without making them full-blown American citizens. After a reasonable amount of time review their documentation and if they continue to show a good record and pay their fees, make them American citizens.

C ) If they have ANY criminal or terrorist history, either arrest them and put them in jail or immediately deport them and NEVER let them back in.

Both parties have a terrible immigration and border control policy and it is time the people tell these parties that we will not accept it any more.

What I was hinting at was the idea of shooting illegal immigrants down as they cross the border instead of going through the trouble of capturing and deporting them.

I like turnea's idea ... close the borders, and everyone already here should be given amnesty to register.

Illegal immigration hurts everyone involved -- the illegal aliens who are exploited for cheap labor; the taxpayers who must support illegal aliens who slip through cracks and receive assistance; and the workers who lose jobs. The practice of hiring illegal aliens at a below-market rate also corrupts employers.