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Home Front: Politix
Chertoff Calls for Crackdown on Immigrant Smugglers
2006-01-07
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has declared a crackdown on immigrant smugglers at two California border crossings from Tijuana, Mexico. Chertoff promised more prosecutions of smugglers who tried to enter the United States at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa crossings in San Diego, as well as more jail space to hold them, though he did not say on how much the effort would cost.

In a potentially controversial twist, Chertoff said Thursday state and local officials would participate in the crackdown. Proponents of tougher enforcement have long advocated a larger role for local law enforcement, but critics say local agencies should stick to fighting crime, not enforcing immigration laws.

Border Patrol agents thwarted 60,000 attempted illegal crossings at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa last year. Smugglers once stuffed a baby inside a gasoline tank, Chertoff said. ``It is remarkable the lengths to which smugglers will go to try to get people into this country,'' he said at a news conference. ``They simply want to make money at the expense of human misery.''
So, you noticed? The smugglers -- coyotes, as they're called -- should be rounded up and stuffed onto a deserted, cold south Atlantic island ...
The federal government has also increased border enforcement in Arizona, which has surpassed California as the nation's busiest corridor for illegal immigrants. Arizona accounted for more than half the Border Patrol's 1.1 million arrests last year.

Border Patrol arrests in the San Diego sector plummeted to about 110,000 last year from 528,000 in 1995, when the state had stepped up security.
You mean the fence there worked?
Or the Minutemen...
Posted by:Steve White

#5  I agree, TW. And in fact I would not entertain a guest worker program. One of America's advantages has always been a shortage of labor. It has led to high wages and labor saving devices that improve productivity and living standards. Guest workers only bring ill educated low wage unskilled labor that can be exploited by the unscrupulous. We don't need them.

If they want to come to America to be Americans, welcome. But don't think you can still vote in the old country's elections while you're here. Make Mexico live with what it has created. Don't let them use us for a dumping ground for all the people they won't employ usefully. It's time for Mexico to figue out how to be competitive like China.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-01-07 19:45  

#4  Unless guest workers come on short-term visas, they are actually immigrants (cf. Turks in Germany, Beurs in France, Albanians in Italy, Moroccans in Spain...)
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-01-07 19:33  

#3  "...THEN a guest worker program can be entertained...."

In light of the fact that Mexico is un-able/willing to stem the flow of illegal aliens Frank G's recommendations are not only appropriate but also long overdue. However, can anyone point to a “Guest Worker” type process that didn’t actually encourage further illegal immigration? (Anywhere or at Anytime) If so, I would be willing to entertain the idea as well. Until that time, call it what it really is:

Amnesty for those willing to work for low wages and Welfare for the businesses that exploit them.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2006-01-07 11:49  

#2  You'll still have the same old utterly corrupt ruling class in Mexico with no desire to reform. If they get the same idiot disease that Bolivia just followed, they'll nose dive. Either case won't really address the problem. Their own xenophobic and over inflated ego won't let them take the rational route for improvement. It's like building a dam or levee that'll hold for a class 4 event. Unfortunately, the build up will result in a class 5 event. It ain't going to get better in our lifetime and only just buying a little time.
Posted by: Snater Unurong5332   2006-01-07 08:48  

#1  the fence has done wonders.... naysayers should be forced to try and cross to prove their point. I heard Chertoff on Hedgecock's radio show and it ...just may be... that the White House gets it, after all.... I'll wait and see though. First: close the open border via fence, sensors, UAV's, and "Catch and return" not release . Second: Employer sanctions on those who don't enforce the hiring laws.....hard time. Third: once the border is secured and illegal crossing is stopped, THEN a guest worker program can be entertained....
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-07 01:26  

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