Immigration and Homeland Security

Written by: Allan lichtman on Mar 29, 2006 3:38 PM EST

The United States cannot deal with the issue of immigration in isolation. The only rational approach to immigration and Homeland Security is a comprehensive North American solution that brings in Canada and Mexico as full partners. The goal of this approach would be to gain cooperation on immigration policy and Homeland Security and more broadly to close the economic gap between the United States and Mexico that is the root cause of illegal immigration. As long as an economic gap persists between North American countries, people will attempt to cross the United States borders by any means necessary.

In the meantime, a comprehensive solution must be integrated with the immediate goals of regularizing the situation facing current illegal immigrants in the United States. The Kennedy-McCain proposal, much of which is incorporated in a bill endorsed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, offers a promising approach to the current situation.

I strongly oppose any laws that could potentially punish social service workers and doctors who have a moral duty to serve all people in need, including the immigrant community. No American should be forced to choose between helping those people in urgent need of assistance because of excessive fear of facing penalty. While the issue of legal immigration remains a priority, all hard-working people in the United States deserve medical and legal assistance, and any measure that works against this end should not be passed by the Congress.

A North American Approach to Immigration and Homeland Security

In response to the immigration issues facing the nation, I have strongly advocated the need for a comprehensive North American solution to immigration and Homeland Security which would include the United States, Canada and Mexico working conjointly as a community on economic development, mutual security, infrastructure, education, and labor policy.

I propose the Following North American Approach:

1. Work with the Mexican government to help upgrade their educational system and infrastructure. This is vital to economic growth.
2. Provide the assistance needed to help close the economic gap between the countries. More jobs and higher incomes will diminish the need to immigrate illegally.
3. Revitalize diplomatic relations between North American countries and regain their cooperation in facilitating legal immigration.
4. Use diplomatic ties to Strengthen Homeland Security and coordinate border patrol with the support of other North American allied security forces.
5. Provide the Governor's of Border States with sufficient funding to uphold existing immigration laws.


The North American Approach to Immigration & Homeland Security would have the following Advantages:

1. It would deal with the underlying cause of illegal immigration.
2. It would help solidify a partnership in establishing and enforcing immigration policy.
3. It would help facilitate economic development, security, and competitiveness across North America.

Homeland Security:

A real hemispheric partnership would also facilitate the cooperative efforts that are essential for real homeland security in the United States. According to my advisor Robert Pastor, Director of the Center for North American Studies at American University, in a recent Newsweek article, "Instead of defining security exclusively in terms of fences and border guards, Canadian, Mexican, and U. S. officials should create a broad perimeter around the region. Teams officials from all three countries could share intelligence and terrorist watch lists and standardize inspection procedures used at ports of entry."
I recognize that America as a nation is built upon the sacrifices of immigrants. Most people that have come to America are hard working and law abiding people, striving to achieve the American dream. I feel strongly that programs should work to assist these immigrants assimilate to join the citizenry in a productive way.
The solution to illegal immigration in America requires more than money and field agents. Not until economic gaps are closed, will immigration policy truly begin to work properly.

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Location: MD