A POINT OF VIEW

As most Americans, I support, and encourage, legal immigration. Those who have endured the long, arduous process of legally immigrating to this great country deserve many kudos and much respect; the interminably long delays, endless lines at Immigration offices, paperwork lost by Immigration authorities, faulty information provided by Immigration authorities, huge expenses involved in filing paperwork, immigrating to the U.S., etc., are enough to discourage all but the hardiest of souls. Legal immigrants have my utmost respect for doing it the "right" way, by respecting U. S. immigration laws and customs.

The "Great American Boycott" is a disingenuous, hypocritical attempt to coerce/bully Congress into granting illegal/undocumented immigrants special privileges. Why should immigrants who are in the U. S. illegally be allowed a "free pass" to the front of the line, ahead of immigrants who went through the legal process? I am unalterably opposed to any type of amnesty to anyone here illegally, no matter what country from whence they come. It discourages an orderly, lawful, sensible immigration process, and begs the question, "Why even have immigration laws?".

I don’t think illegal immigrants should be treated as criminals. The current move in congress, under House bill HR4437 - authored by Republican Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, from Wisconsin - to make felons of illegal immigrants is mean-spirited, outrageous and foolhardy. Undocumented immigrants should not be made felons just because some mean-spirited, right-wing Republican clown wants to punish those seeking a better life. Criminalize and bring severe sanctions against those employers who hire undocumented immigrants who are not here legally. It is not difficult, nor does it take much time, to verify the legality of social security cards and drivers‘ licenses. If so many employers did not seek out - and hire - illegal immigrants, there would be no financial incentive to sneak into the U.S. to find work.

I unequivocally support, and encourage, "sweeps" to deport any immigrant not here legally. I also support severe penalties and sanctions against any employer hiring illegal/undocumented immigrants. It is not difficult to verify the legality of drivers’ licenses or social security cards. The U.S. has an obligation to its citizens and legal immigrants to vigorously enforce immigration laws, and protect its borders. Anything less than strong enforcement of immigration laws is irresponsible and shameful.

I strongly encourage any group to exercise its right to petition the government for redress. That includes marching, boycotting, and protesting at the top of one’s lungs to bring one’s concerns to the attention of the "powers that be". These "immigrant rights" folks have every right to march and protest if they feel their voices need to be heard. However, in my opinion, they are more like extortionists and bullies - but even extortionists and bullies have the right to be heard.

However, the organizers of the "Great American Boycott are disingenuous, hypocritical and foolish. My blood comes to a boil when I hear their claims of it’s an "immigrant rights issue", or a "civil rights issue", or "fair treatment", or whatever folderol they’re claiming. Their idea of "immigration reform" is a buzz word, or euphemism to grant amnesty - or "special privileges" - to those who sneak across the border because they’re not inclined to obey the same immigration laws and procedures as documented immigrants who enter the country legally.

This is not a "rights" issue! These folks are clamoring for an across the board amnesty for all illegal/undocumented immigrants. They seem to feel that it’s okay to ignore this country’s sovereignty and immigration laws by sneaking into the U.S. at will. This boycott, and recent marches and protests, seem to be a blatant attempt to bully U.S. lawmakers into granting special dispensation to illegal/undocumented immigrants. Immigrants have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, but they have a responsibility to adhere to U.S. immigration laws.

To call this a "civil rights" issue is to denigrate the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Medgar Evers, and other true civil rights leaders. They marched and demonstrated to make the government enforce the law; the immigration demonstrators are marching to encourage the government to ignore the law, and grant them special privileges denied to immigrants trying to come into the U.S. legally.

We’ll see how this protest and boycott goes on Monday, May 1st. If someone like me, a staunch liberal, objects so strongly to this ill-advised protest and boycott, how will conservatives and right-wing kooks react? I believe there might be a severe backlash against this ill-advised demonstration and those immigrants following blindly along, like lemmings. I am certain that not only native-born citizens and naturalized citizens, but also documented immigrants who have entered the U.S. legally, will react in a severe backlash if these protesters - supposedly demonstrating and boycotting for their "rights’ - insist on carrying the Mexican flag - or any foreign flag - and choose to sing the National Anthem in Spanish. And, adding fuel to the fire, many people here in the U.S., citizens and legal immigrants alike, vociferously object to foreigners changing the words of their hallowed National Anthem and singing it in Spanish, calling it, "Our Anthem" for their own convoluted, disingenuous agenda. I find it difficult to believe they wouldn’t understand it is a very bad idea. Frankly, I think it’s just a ploy to "sock it to the gringos".

From my perspective, I don’t care if they sing the National Anthem in Spanish. I don’t like the Star Spangled Banner as a National Anthem, anyway. In my opinion, it doesn’t capture the essence of what this country is about. A more appropriate National Anthem would be America, The Beautiful. However, I digress......

I am a staunch liberal, and make no apologies for it. Like most liberals, I am also a proud American. For those who are unwilling to respect our nation’s sovereignty and obey its immigration laws, then go back to Mexico, or whatever country from whence you came. Your absence will not be missed. There are too many people who respect the U.S. and want to enter legally.

We don’t need illegal/undocumented immigrants and their willingness to work for depressed wages, depriving American citizens of jobs. Don’t kid yourselves. American citizens are quite willing to work at the same jobs that immigrants do. It’s just that undocumented/illegal immigrants are willing to work for much lower wages, and many U.S. companies are quite willing to take advantage of illegal immigrants’ vulnerable position. And that, friends, is the crux of the matter.

Adios, amigos.

That’s my opinion. What’s yours?