Schumer Aims to Trick Us

            Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) says he is “cautiously optimistic” that he and his fellow amnesty supporters can pass a legalization and path to citizenship for most of the estimated 11 to 12 million illegal aliens residing in the U.S. Mindful of past mistakes, the amnesty backers are trying a new ploy.

            One reason amnesty failed in 2006 and 2007 was amnesty backers’ indifference as to whether the U.S. had any effective border control or internal enforcement to curtail illegal immigration—most specifically a new rush on the border that amnesty certainly would encourage. This indifference angered amnesty opponents and other patriotic Americans, and greatly strengthened their resistance.

            To get around this obstacle, Schumer and other amnesty backers are now dishonestly claiming that the border and internal enforcement are effective. As far as the border goes, it is true that crossings have declined during the past year. While enforcement has played a role in that, most observers believe that our current economic turndown, as it has restricted the U.S. job market, is the main reason for the decrease.

            Only when the economy improves will we really know how effective border control is. In any case, we can be sure that amnesty will increase the number of border crossers. It always has in the past, in keeping with the principle that if you reward a behavior, you’re bound to get more of it. As for interior enforcement, it is obvious that the Obama Administration is backing away from even the minimal enforcement effort begun during the last part of the Bush Administration.

            Devoid of any shame, Schumer says he will hold hearings during the remainder of the year to promote “immigration reform,” his phrase for amnesty. The path may not be as easy as he thinks. With so many Americans out of work, it would make sense to step up immigration law enforcement to free up jobs, now held by illegal aliens, for American citizens. And those Americans may not look with favor on Schumer’s shenanigans.

            Another obstacle too will be Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) the new top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sessions, who led the fight against the 2006 and 2007 amnesty bills, will have some say-so new legislation. In response to Schumer’s “optimism” for this year, Sessions replied, “We’re not there yet.”

            To keep from “getting there,” Americans who support real immigration reform will have to keep an eye on Schumer and his ilk and not fall for their bluff, bluster and deception.