Yesterday, I posted a link on my Facebook page to friend's essay on immigration. As someone pointed out, the essay does seem to assume a greater anti-immigration movement than I, personally, have experienced, but I can see how the more Draconian aspects of the recent AZ immigration enforcement law and the uproar against Muslims building a community cultural center a few (New York-sized) city blocks from the WTC could be interpreted as Fear of Immigrants.

A couple of other friends stated that they were specifically anti-ILLEGAL immigrants. After all, if people ignore the law preventing them from being here, why should we expect them to obey any of our other laws?

A valid concern. Perhaps strengthening the defense of our borders is of vital importance. However, like any other complex issue, attempting to treat the symptoms without addressing the cause ain't gonna cure the disease.

My suggestions?

1. Streamline the legal immigration process.
   There are numerous stories of seemingly endless hurdles and years long delays in processing immigration applications. This needs to be cleaned up so that people can legally be more easily incorporated into our society.
    


2. Improve the "guest worker" program.
   Some statistics: Between January and October 2010, California farmers advertised to fill 1,160 jobs. Only 233 US citizens applied for these jobs, and only 35 of them were hired. stats from Boston Globe; not linkable at this date.
    
   Yes, the US does have an Agricultural Worker temporary visa category. However, as it stands, farmers say they find it "too complicated". It may be that the currently required back and forth of paperwork between borders is simply impractical. Perhaps the documentation needs to be streamlined; perhaps farmers and workers need more assistance and advocacy. Maybe some of that "agricultural subsidy" money that the feds pump into the system needs to be earmarked for enforcement of the policy. Whatever the reason, the procedures now in place aren't working.
    


3. Support the DREAM Act
   
   Education helps us all. Our world faces too many challenges not to want to encourage our youth to be as prepared as possible for our collective future. Some kids don't even know about their status until they start trying to make plans for college or the military, because they were brought here as children. Rather than penalizing them for something they had no choice in at the time, we should reward hard work and ability and allow them to contribute to our society.
    


4. Decriminalize drugs
   
   Oh, noes! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!
   Seriously, though. One of the biggest reasons why Mexico is such a freakin' mess is because of the money surrounding the illegal drug trade. Yeah, there's also a history of endemic corruption at all levels of government, but denying the impact of drug money is blind and irresponsible. So legalize and regulate the consumption of drugs in the United States. Educate people. Regulate production and distribution. Enforce consequences for actions that impact others. But take the power and the money away from the cartels.
    
   Ridiculous, you say? It worked for Portugal.

So here's my takeaway: it's one thing to decry illegal immigration and castigate those who sneak into the country as Bad People. Maybe yes, maybe no. But unless you are willing to take a clear look at the underlying causes and support policies that will actually make a difference in the environment that promotes illegal immigration, it's not going to change.