Immigration--Facts, stories, opinions

[Rob Neufeld]

Last fall, U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville introduced the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. If it becomes law, it would require employers to verify the legal status of their employees using the E-Verify program run by the Department of Homeland Security and uses Social Security and Homeland Security databases. It also would empower local police enforcement and increase incarceration capacities. The program would be phased in over four years. A more comprehensive bill that would have provided a path to legal residence for the 11 million to 12 million people in the United States illegally failed earlier in 2007. What do you think of Shuler's approach?

For more information on the bill, go to:
Full text of bill
Rep. Shuler's website
"The Hill," a Capitol Hill newspaper
National Immigration Law Center review of bill

[John Kuhlman]

Not much. After all, just slightly more than half of the undocumented immigrants come across the border, and not all of them come across the U.S./Mexico border. It is my understanding that some of the Border Patrol offices along the U.S./Canadian border are open only during daylight hours. The rest are people who overstay their visa and no wall is going to solve this part of the problem. Having lived close to the border for a few years, I have some idea of the difficulty involved in building a fence--either real or virtual. Immigrants will still be able to go over, under or around. Finally, it simple ignore the constitutional rights. The Secretary of Homeland Security has been given the authority to waive such legislation as environmental protection and property rights if he perceives that the enforcement of such rights would interfere with the construction of the wall. The problem is in Washington, D. C. and that is where we should be looking for a solution.

[John Kuhlman]

For a different picture of immigrants in Asheville, go to the site listed here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/education/21education.html?scp=7&...