"If" is a Big Word

"Any sufficiently advanced bureaucracy is indistinguishable from molasses." ~ unknown

I listened to the Presidents speech last night while I was driving home. I missed some parts of it because sometimes I drove through areas where the transmission wasn't strong. But from what I heard, it seems that he has answered some questions of which I've been concerned.

My whole problem with the guest worker program has been that it appears very much to be an amnesty program, which could only encourage other illegal alien migration into our country in the years to come.

But I am pretty pleased with how President Bush has outlined this program. He has addressed 5 clearly outlined objectives with his plan. Overall I now think it's an excellent plan, under certain conditions.

His first objective is to secure the border. That is exactly the first thing he should do. Here is an excerpt from his speech:

Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we will increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency.

At the same time, we are launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings...

...[U]p to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. The Border Patrol will remain in the lead. The Guard will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems analyzing intelligence installing fences and vehicle barriers building patrol roads and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities that duty will be done by the Border Patrol. This initial commitment of Guard members would last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents and new technologies come online. It is important for Americans to know that we have enough Guard forces to win the war on terror, respond to natural disasters, and help secure our border...

...Another way to help during this period of transition is through state and local law enforcement in our border communities. So we will increase federal funding for state and local authorities assisting the Border Patrol on targeted enforcement missions. And we will give state and local authorities the specialized training they need to help federal officers apprehend and detain illegal immigrants. State and local law enforcement officials are an important resource and they are part of our strategy to secure our border communities.

The only way this could be a bad plan is if the wheels of bureaucracy slow it down, as it typically does most governmental program.

If Congress doesn't attempt to "refine" it, It can work.

Bush also addressed the infamous "Catch and release" policy that has been a thorn in the side of Americans for years.

... We have expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more. We have expedited the legal process to cut the average deportation time. And we are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. As a result of these actions, we have ended "catch and release" for illegal immigrants from some countries. And I will ask Congress for additional funding and legal authority, so we can end "catch and release" at the southern border once and for all. When people know that they will be caught and sent home if they enter our country illegally, they will be less likely to try to sneak in.

If the border agents can be responsible and do their jobs right, this can work.

Then he went on to explain the guest worker program more thoroughly and in more understandable terms:

Therefore, I support a temporary worker program that would create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country in an orderly way, for a limited period of time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks. And temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay.

Except for the part about "jobs Americans are not doing", I think that's a reasonable plan. There is no job in America that you cannot find some Americans to do.

If he can get illegals to apply to the program.

Furthermore, he addressed the problem of employers illegally hiring illegals:

Third, we need to hold employers to account for the workers they hire. It is against the law to hire someone who is in this country illegally. Yet businesses often cannot verify the legal status of their employees, because of the widespread problem of document fraud. Therefore, comprehensive immigration reform must include a better system for verifying documents and work eligibility. A key part of that system should be a new identification card for every legal foreign worker. This card should use biometric technology, such as digital fingerprints, to make it tamper-proof. A tamper-proof card would help us enforce the law and leave employers with no excuse for violating it. And by making it harder for illegal immigrants to find work in our country, we would discourage people from crossing the border illegally in the first place.

I think Bush is being too kind to many of these employers. I think many of them don't give a damn if their workers are legal or not. Quite the contrary, I believe they want them because they don't have to pay them as much.

If Bush can guarantee that companies won't break the law by intentionally hiring illegals, this is a good plan.

The next part of the plan is one that I have had the most trouble comprehending. I have been under the impression that illegals would be sent to the head of the line and be given preferential treatment over those who have worked hard to enter this country legally. I believe Bush has put many of our fears to rest on this matter:

...I believe that illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty for breaking the law to pay their taxes to learn English and to work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship but approval would not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law. What I have just described is not amnesty it is a way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society, and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen.

If we can get illegals to cooperate with us and accept heavy penalties for breaking the law voluntarily. But look at it this way. How many felons in this country would voluntarily go to jail if they knew they would be out in X number of years? Not too many. To most of them prison is not an option, even with guarantees of eventual freedom. Same with illegals. The President expects illegals to voluntarily pay penalties? The problem here is there are no guarantees illegals will accept these terms.

Lastly, President Bush insists that immigrants learn English. That will help them to better assimilate into our culture and community. It is a good idea and one I would heartily recommend.

If the immigrants will do the work to learn it. I think many of them don't want to learn English. And why should they? Already almost every business in America offers all their services in both English and Spanish.

Overall, I think Bush's plan is a good one, but quite a bit over idealistic. Too much of it depends on the illegals cooperating with the program. I don't see that happening without very strict enforcement of already existing laws. And without the cooperation of every American and American business, as well.

But there are way too many "Ifs".