I believe that
there is an urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform which is humane
and tolerant; as well as conducive to the freedom of travel, the openness of
trade, and the normalization of commerce. As such – and given that the
constitutional clause which had denied the Congress the power to prohibit the
states from enacting migration policies which they deem proper has expired – I
feel that it is desirable and appropriate to pursue passage of federal
legislation prohibiting all agencies of the federal and state governments from
constructing or maintaining fencing along our international borders.
Although
a system permitting federal jurisdiction over immigration policy would seem to
have authorized the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors
(D.R.E.A.M.) Act, I would vote to support a repeal of that legislation on the
grounds that it was enacted through an executive order, which I feel is an inappropriate,
expansive exercise of presidential power. I would urge states which have passed
similar legislation to transition the responsibility to provide
D.R.E.A.M.-Act-type goods and services to the county- and municipal-level
governmental agencies within them, as well as to private-sector agencies; and I
would urge states which have not passed
similar legislation to allow local governments to do so, and to allow the
widespread provision of such goods and services to come into being organically
through the efforts of private-sector agencies.
As
the forms of compensation which are procured through employment are the most
productive form of welfare, such private-sector agencies should include places
of employment. I would support the right of immigrants – documented and
undocumented alike – to negotiate with their employers to obtain the compensation
which they deem appropriate for their own subjective purposes, irrespective of
federal and state minimum wage standards. I would also voice opposition to
mandates on employers – by governments at any level – to participate in the
eVerify system, which has been described as obligating hirers to police illegal
immigration. Additionally, I would oppose all existing and proposed laws
providing for mandatory identification documents for all persons, such as the
REAL ID Act.
In
order to help provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, I would
urge the president and the governors of the several states to grant pardons to
all non-violent transgressors, especially to minors who did not have intent or
informed awareness of the illegality of the actions of the parents or guardians
who accompanied them into the country. Punishment – and law-enforcement
requests for the identification documents – of suspected illegals should be
contingent upon their conviction for either physically harming or threatening
to harm persons; stealing, damaging, or otherwise diminishing the utility of
their property; or trespassing on their occupied landed property; provided that
some victim claiming that direct harm has occurred has pressed formal charges
by filing a Verified Criminal Complaint.
I
would assert that deportation and extradition of non-violent illegal immigrants
would only be permissible were the status of a transgressor as a foreign
subject entered-into with informed consent and without duress, and that the pertinent
foreign country has laws explicitly prohibiting illegal emigration. I would also defend the position that the 14th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not automatically grant federal
citizenship to the native-born, but that it merely makes the extension of an
offer of citizenship permanent and irrevocable.
I
feel that opponents of illegal immigration would have less justification for
their personal and legal views were they to become aware that the federal
government has conducted cross-border weapons-for-drugs programs and
arms-trafficking-and-tracking operations (such as Project Gun-Runner and
Operation Fast-and-Furious) which have destabilized and undermined the
sovereignty of Mexico, and caused death of American border personnel. Voting to
stop – and investigating to uncover the facts about – such operations is
crucial for restoring America’s reputation and credibility abroad; ameliorating
artificial antipathy towards minority groups and improving race relations; and
saving lives of American civilians, law enforcement officers, and politicians
alike.
Additionally,
I would work to restitute government theft of immigrant property; sponsor
legislation which would prohibit government agencies at the state and federal
levels from making English the single official language; and urge governments
at all levels – including the governments of Mexico and Central America – to
uphold rights to bear arms and rights of the accused which are either on-par
with or more protective than the 2nd and the 4th through
8th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
For
more entries on borders, immigration, and territorial integrity,
please visit:
No comments:
Post a Comment