Immigration is a pressing issue, particularly in south Texas because of it proximity to the international border.  Due to this and a large population for whom immigration is a real and personal matter, the subject has become an emotional one.  Respecting those feelings and convictions, we feel the immigration issue must be viewed first and foremost in logical terms.

Legal immigration has been the backbone of America’s growth, development, and success throughout its history; it has been indispensible in making America what it is today.  From the first colonists from England and Spain, through successive waves of immigration from Western and later Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific region, to countless Africans who were brought here involuntarily, they embraced their new American identity and uniquely contributed to the American mosaic.  They have strengthened the character and culture that is the United States.  From its earliest beginnings, legal immigration has had and still has a place in our life and culture.

Today, the majority of Americans is rightly concerned about immigration for reasons of national security and fiscal responsibility.  The United States is a sovereign nation responsible first and foremost to its citizens to ensure safety and security within its borders and preserve our democratic institutions for future generations.  We must do what is important and proper for America and its citizens.  Especially in an age in when terrorists and criminal cartels are at our doorstep, we believe the priority for any government is securing the nation’s borders.  From a fiscal standpoint, the cost of illegal immigration is staggering, with one recent report showing that illegal immigrants in Texas cost the taxpayers $250 million each year in medical care and for detention of prisoners.

Respecting the desire of many to come to the US to live and work, we believe those who wish to immigrate, either temporarily or permanently, should do so in an orderly and lawful manner.  For example, for those who wish to come to the US to work and send money home, we support a temporary or guest worker program. Under such a program, visitors would contract with employers, overseen by the Department of homeland Security, to remain in the US for a certain period of time and then return to their native country.  Regulating this process would secure our borders as well as protect workers from being victimized by human traffickers or by exploitative employers.

As for illegal immigration, it is just that: illegal.  Civilized society is built on the concept of the rule of law to which all in that society must ascribe.  Therefore, illegal immigration—breaking the established rules of entry—cannot be tolerated.  Criminal aliens should be deported as soon as possible.  Medical and law enforcement expenses incurred by the US or state governments should be paid by the illegal’s country of origin, or, if not paid, deducted from future foreign aid that country would have received.

Consideration of amnesty for those in this country illegally is unacceptable.  Amnesty was granted once before in 1986 for 3 million aliens, and thus set a dangerous precedent condoning illegal behavior.  That mixed message—that unauthorized entry into this country is illegal, but we will ultimately allow it if the entrant can manage to stay long enough—cannot be allowed.  Amnesty for breaking the law is out of the question.

Concerning children of illegal immigrants born in the US or brought here, we believe people cannot break the law without consequences.  Thus, children of illegal immigrants born here should no longer be granted citizenship automatically, but should wait until the parents legally become full citizens.  Children brought here without proper processing are also illegal and should return to their country of origin to go through a lawful process.

The issue of illegal immigration has been framed by some in racial and ethnic terms.  This does a severe injustice to this serious issue.  For those genuinely interested in working toward a solution, this is simply a detractor from the point at hand and evidence of no convincing arguments from the other side.  The arguments against illegal immigration are blind to racial, ethnic, religious, and national qualifiers.  Again, illegal immigration is, quite simply, illegal and must be eliminated.  It is imperative that our nation control the entry of all immigrants and keep track of the status and location of all legal “guests” and “visitors” to our country.

A related topic is that of racial profiling by law enforcement officials in dealing with illegal immigrants.  We support local law enforcement in checking for immigration status if there are compelling reasons.  It is standard policy—and we believe only common sense—that if a person of any racial, ethnic, religious, or nationality is stopped in a traffic situation or is investigated in relation to a crime, that person should provide proper identification.  If the person cannot, then his or her legal residency in the US should be reviewed.  All Americans routinely carry proper identification such as a driver’s license, and they produce it when asked.  If Federal law requires all visitors to this country carry identification (which it does), then for law enforcement officials not to be allowed to ask for such identification is absurd.

The US strives for peace with all nations, especially those with whom we share national borders and historic ties.  Respecting the sovereignty of nations, the US is reluctant to interfere with the internal workings of others, yet when those internal affairs directly impact the US it reserves the right to be concerned and comment.  Some countries become indignant when their internal policies (including economic conditions and drug-related violence from which citizens understandably wish to flee) are questioned by the US, but they feel free to publically criticize the US’s responses within our own borders to these problems.  While no country is perfect, US policies and practices are unmatched in rights and dignity afforded legal visitors and guests in this country.  Further, given the amount of US foreign aid lavished on many of these countries, their criticisms come off as feeble attempts to avoid responsibility for their own failed policies and actions.

The San Antonio Tea Party invites all interested citizens to join us in the grass roots revolution to stop those who wish to “give away” America.  We particularly call on the “silent Hispanic Americans majority” who are American first, to join us.  Many Hispanic Americans have been silenced by the shrill voices of others who see no end to projects and programs for non-citizens who are here illegally.  To provide such a forum for education and advocacy, the San Antonio Tea Party has established a special outreach project called the “Juan Seguin Society” to educate Hispanics about conservative issues and the Tea Party.  For more information, contact George Rodriguez, Juan Seguin Society Coordinator, at grodri3615@aol.com.

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