Amnesty Encourages Illegal Immigration

            One of many good arguments against amnesty for illegal aliens is that rewarding a certain behavior only encourages more of it. In the case of amnesty, this is history, not speculation. After each of the several amnesties since 1986, illegal immigration surged.

            If anyone would like any more proof, we would like to cite a recent Zogby International poll in Mexico, the country of origin of about 60 percent of our illegal alien population. The poll found that 36 percent of Mexicans (39 million people) would like to move to the United States, if they had the “means and opportunity.”

            Next the poll asked Mexicans if the passage of amnesty in the U.S. would encourage their relatives and friends to enter the U.S. illegally. Fifty-six percent said that it would encourage them, 19.6 percent said it would make no difference, and 7.6 percent were unsure. Only 16.6 percent said it would it would make them less likely to come. Thus we see that Mexicans by a wide margin would view amnesty as a green light to move in and break our laws.

            Another issue to consider, given that current amnesty proposals would give a pathway to citizenship to illegal aliens, is just what kind of citizens amnestied Mexicans would make, in terms of their willingness to assimilate. One question on the survey provides an indication. It asked if American citizens of Mexican origin owe primary loyalty to Mexico or to the United States. Sixty-nine percent said to Mexico, and only 20 percent to the United States. The rest were undecided.

            So why do amnesty supporters want to pass a law that will promote illegal immigration and weaken assimilation? The answer that they know perfectly well what amnesty will do—and that’s why they want it. For cheap labor, cheap votes, and ethnic clout they want endless streams of illegal immigration flowing over our borders.

            Patriotic Americans must not be fooled by the lie that amnesty is a “reform.” If we wish to stop illegal immigration, we must penalize it with effective immigration law enforcement and cease to reward it. This we owe to our country—and to the people of Mexico as well. As long as illegal immigration flows, the corrupt wealthy elites of that country have no incentive whatsoever to provide a better life for their countrymen. We should have enough compassion toward our southern neighbors to give their rulers that incentive.