A LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION POLICY

IMMIGRATION ISSUE

OVERVIEW

THE LEGISLATION:

“COMPREHENSIVE ”- - BUT INCOMPREHENSIBLE

AMNESTY - - A COMPLICATED ALBATROSS

COST IMPACT IS LARGE

CONCLUSION:

THE MATTER OF GOVERNMENTAL LEADERSHIP

GOOD IDEAS ARE A DIME A DOZEN !

A GOOD IDEA & A GOOD PLAN ARE A FINE START !

BUT THE FINAL ACTION+ACCOMPLISHMENT WINS THE PRIZE !

President Barack Obama’s and Congress’ views on many issues leave Conservatives, Libertarians and the GOP with a great deal of unease. There is nothing new in this statement. It’s in the Media and on the Internet every day. The Proposed IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION (S.744) is one of many, where Electeds and Citizens alike tend to be heavily split along Party lines.

Here we’ll address the IMMIGRATION ISSUE, with the objective in mind of generalizing the reasons for this unease. This is not a matter of accepting any of the many “conspiracy theories” that are voiced in abundance. BUT IT IS a matter of, as Ronald Reagan would say, giving the benefit of: Trust . . . . But Verify ! In considering the many doubts, yet still digging for the root cause, it surely must have something to do with the Federal Government’s Leadership, both in style and substance. So initially here, it’s some aspects of this Leadership that are assessed. This is done by looking at management technique, which is often broken down into 3 key components of carrying out a program i.e., conceiving the initial Goal or IDEA; developing a PLAN to carry out the idea; and then providing the Leadership to implement the plan and ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS. In the end, it is the bottom line result which is the gauge of the sum effort of the Idea, Plan and Leadership.

Put another way, if the President were the CEO, Congress his Finance Department, and you were on the Board of Directors - - would you vote to retain or dismiss them. Ooops, wait a minute! The President IS the CEO of our Nation and Congress has the power of raising and spending money. Also, each of us IS INDEED a member of America’s Board. So let’s consider the matter in that light and then let’s undertake to do our official duty.

PRESIDENT BARACK H. OBAMA & OUR CONGRESS- -

A CITIZEN’S ASSESSMENT

THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - OVERVIEW

A FEW BRIEF BRIEF OVERVIEW THOUGHTS

ON THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE:

ON ONE SIDE: citizens who believe that border control is currently adequate and that the issue is: suitable amnesty for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in America. ON THE OTHER: Citizens who believe that laws have been broken and amnesty alone will simply incentivize further lawbreaking. Accordingly, a necessary prerequisite is an effective border control system to protect Citizens and every American.

CRITICS OF THE S.744 IMMIGRATION PROPOSAL ARGUE: • Amnesty is acceptable only with several strong provisos: effective border security and crime control; fairness to those who have chosen a legal immigration path; controls over the government benefits and services to be provided to immigrants; clear standards for legal employment until full citizenship is established; and some others. • The total immigration issue is complex and has large cost consequences. Handling this legislation too fast and in one massive bill is likely to lead to festering issues and an ineffective solution.

IMMIGRATION ISSUE

OVERVIEW

THE LEGISLATION:




CONCLUSION:


IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

• Nancy Pelosi wasn’t kidding when she said Congress would have to pass Obamacare “to see what’s in it.” That’s because the bill gave federal agencies free rein to write regulations that would become the real-world version of the law—and even though it passed in 2010, the regulations are still being written today. • The immigration bill does the same thing—it gives over congressional authority to federal agencies, allowing unelected bureaucrats to work out many details later.

History shows that big bills designed to solve everything wind up creating as many problems as they address. They become loaded with payoffs for special interests and often introduce measures that work at cross purposes. Moreover, the Citizenry are basically kept in the dark about laws and regulations that can significantly affect their liberty and pocketbook. Why “kept in the dark”? Let’s take a look at the 844 page Immigration bill, S.744 .

TITLE I—BORDER SECURITY Page 1

TITLE II—IMMIGRANT VISAS Page 32

TITLE III—INTERIOR ENFORCEMENT Page 59

TITLE IV—REFORMS TO NON-

IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAMS

Page 658

THE END ( mercifully) Page 844

Yes … that’s 844 pages. That’s about 50 times the size of our

U.S. Constitution. And as a recipe for freedom, opportunity

and prosperity, our Constitution has acquitted itself superbly.

SENATE BILL S.744

‘‘Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and

Immigration Modernization Act’’

Here’s a top level look at the INNARDS OF S.744 comprising 844 pages:

SENATE BILL S.744

‘‘Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and

Immigration Modernization Act’’

We haven’t the time or space to assess the 6 page table of contents of S.744,

so here is a breakout of Title 1 only (and Title 1 is just 32 pages):

IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

So, where does the legislation stand ?

May 9, 2013: Senators in the Senate Judiciary Committee killed efforts to require full border security requirements before legalizing illegal immigrants. Members also rejected following through on a 2006 law that ordered the government to build 700 miles of two-tier fencing on the 2,000-mile-long border. “The key to me is not 2,200 miles of fence, it’s not 90 percent operational control, it’s stopping the reason they come, and that is to get jobs,” Senator Lindsey Graham said. “You control jobs, you will turn everything into a trickle.” The crux of the immigration “gang of 8” deal is that it offers illegal immigrants quick legal status but withholds a full path to citizenship until after the Homeland Security Department spends more money on border security, begins to check visas of those leaving by air and sea, and creates a mandatory system for employers to check immigration status before they hire. Republican opponents scoffed, saying they wanted the bill tied to final results, not to promises of spending. They also made clear that they don’t trust Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano, who has maintained that she believes the border IS secure. Lawmakers said voters remembered the lesson of the 1986 amnesty, when millions of illegal immigrants were promised citizenship and voters were promised stiffer security. THE CITIZENSHIP WAS GRANTED, BUT NOT THE SUBSEQUENT SECURITY.

IMMIGRATION ISSUE

OVERVIEW

THE LEGISLATION:




CONCLUSION:


THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - AMNESTY

Amnesty is a complicated issue all by itself. Certainly there are families and good

people who have been living in the U.S. for many years. Deporting them will include

significant suffering of many. On the other hand, these people have all broken America’s

laws. But a blanket amnesty has adverse impact on those immigrants who are still waiting

their turn to come to America through the legal, but bureaucratic regulations. Yet

turning a blind eye to lawbreaking is certainly not in the best traditions of America.

The table below gives a little more insight into who we’re dealing with. Many have been

here for multiple decades.

Some say that amnesty is

needed to put an end to

the intolerable misery of

many.

But these data would

seem to show that as of

2010, about 63% (or

about 6.9 million

unauthorized adults)

have survived the ordeal

for over a decade.

And there are more points noted in the next chart.

THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - AMNESTY

A FEW FURTHER ISSUES REGARDING AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS (I.E.’s) :

• Granting amnesty inherently incentivizes others to come here to ignore our laws, since

we make it very desirable to thrive under our laws and government benefits.

• Some argue that the legislation already assures border security. But a careful reading

by several noted analysts, concludes that indeed, although the bill discusses border

control, what is promised is that the government (DHS) will develop a “strategy” for border

control. But a “strategy” for protecting the border IS NOT a binding implementation . So,

in fact, the building of a solid consensus around this legislation, as would be expected of

good lawmaking process, has some notable flaws.

• Fraud is also a natural fallout of government ignoring the law. Below , 2 charts show that

many I.E.’s (i) are working at jobs while American citizens cannot find employment. (ii)

about 25% of IE’s have been convicted of crimes and the annual jail costs are not small.

IMMIGRATION ISSUE

OVERVIEW

THE LEGISLATION:




CONCLUSION:


THE COSTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

COST ELEMENTS A COST ILLUSTRATION

Government provides four types of benefits and

services that are relevant to unlawful immigration:

• DIRECT BENEFITS. (E.g., Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.) • MEANS-TESTED WELFARE BENEFITS. (E.g., Medicaid, food stamps, the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit, public housing, Assistance for Needy Families, etc.) • PUBLIC EDUCATION. (At a cost of $12,300 per pupil per year, these services are largely free or heavily subsidized for low-income parents. • POPULATION-BASED SERVICES. (E.g., Police, fire, highways, parks, and similar services, which generally have to expand as new immigrants enter a community)

A detailed cost analysis from the Heritage Foundation, helps illustrate the magnitude of financial impact associated with the Senate “Gang of 8” immigration proposal. The $24,721 bar shows the average government payout (from sources in left part of the figure) for an illegal, but amnestied family. The right figure shows also the taxes paid in by the family. When average total costs are projected through retirement of all those amnestied, the net addition (benefits paid out less taxes paid in) will be $6.3Triilion over the multiple average years to retirement.

But is there another cost to illegal immigration and unfettered amnesty? I think the answer is YES and I relate it to this quotation from a celebrated and astute observer of our political landscape, journalist Thomas Sowell. Ultimately, whether through legal or sometimes illegal means, Immigrants will gain the power of the vote. But is it right that: (1) such votes can be “bought” as political gifts with the promise of government largesse and favoritism to those voters. (2) such vote be granted without some proof of knowledge of the American heritage and history of our unique Constitutional structures for freedom and opportunity.

Many, such as myself, think items (1), (2) are not proper and

that the quotation of Tom Sowell above has strong relevancy

to this matter.

IMMIGRATION ISSUE

OVERVIEW

THE LEGISLATION:




CONCLUSION:


ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - - LEADERSHIP EXHIBITED

We’ll examine the Leadership issue in terms of the criteria: Idea / Plan / Achievement

We set out to assess leadership based on the 3 management tools of: a good IDEA, PLAN and ACHIEVED RESULT through effective Leadership.

The IDEA of resolving the thorny issue of Illegal Immigration is sound for ethical, legal and humane reasons. Moreover, it is long overdue, having last been addressed (inadequately, as it turns out) in 1986.

The current round of PLANNING (culminating so far in Senate Bill S.744), has yet to be fully played out. But it is in progress. Unfortunately, the Bill is muddled in differing political views and goals. The Senate Leadership , by working through the bi-partisan “Gang of 8”, deserves some commendation.

Unfortunately, as was covered on national TV on May 9th, the full Senate Judiciary Committee has reverted back to a political confrontation. Along party lines, Conservative amendment votes to tie an assured method for curtailing future illegal immigration, while providing a path to resolve the situation of 11 million existing I.E.’s , have been almost fully blocked by the Progressive wing.


So, Let’s Recap Some Key Info Presented

Page 1 of 2

We’ve also seen, as noted in the prior charts of this total discussion:

The legislative package produced is a behemoth of complexity, and will further expand as it proceeds to the Regulatory bureaucracy.

Complex Legislation such as this, is an affront to the American Citizenry. It’s another example of arrogant micro-management by our elected Representatives rather than reliance on: careful deliberation, public transparency, ultimate incorporation of the Citizen’s voice , and reliance on State Government and private Businesses.

A crux of the issue is amnesty and how resolution of this matter can be aligned to assure that future illegal border crossing will be disincentivized, contained by adequate border security, and blocked by Government and Business hiring practices which are fully aligned to the law and to effective lawful enforcement.

THE STAKES FOR SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION ARE HIGH AND IMPACT THE EXISTING AMERICAN PROBLEMS OF CONTINUING DEFICIT BUDGETS AND LONG-TERM ACCUMULATION OF DEBT.


So, Let’s Recap Some Key Info Presented Page 2 of 2

SOME SUMMARY THOUGHTS ON FEDERAL LEADERSHIP RE IMMIGRATION AND BORDER POLICY. Despite significant efforts, President Obama and his Congressional Leaders have failed, as of this date of May 10, 2013, to pass significant legislation to address the matter of immigration and border security: Accordingly, a Leadership grade of D is given by this Citizen. It is not a total failure, but the outlook for for successful, long-term resolution seems murky at best. By many estimates, the current Bill will be rejected by the more Conservative House of Representatives. So who is to blame? Well, not the Citizens, they haven’t really been invited to participate to any significant extent. Clearly the blame for failure must be shouldered by the President and Congress. The Leadership to resolve the problem will not have produced long-term output that is to the benefit of a good majority of American Citizens, current illegal immigrants, and Citizens yet unarrived - - either by transportation or birth.

Well, Mr. President and Congress, speaking as an

American Citizen: we do not need, nor under

any circumstances want, Leadership so puffed

up with their own righteousness and importance

that our American Heritage means little. Yours

is a Leadership, focused on increasing

centralization of power - - that is both abhorrent

and wrong-headed to many Americans. It’s a

style and Leadership which must be given a

grade of: D - - TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

1

Morning Bell: “Top 5 Problems with the

“Comprehensive” Immigration Bill” , Heritage.org, James

Carafano, April 23, 2013

2 Morning Bell: :5 Ways the Immigration

Bill Is Like Obamacare”, Amy Payne, Heritage.org, May 2, 2013

3

“The Fiscal Cost of Unlawful Immigrants and

Amnesty to the U.S. Taxpayer”. Heritage Foundation: Special

Reprt #133, Robert Rector and Jason Richwine, Ph.D., May 6, 2013

4

“Senators kill amendments tied to bill on immigration;

border security issue put on back burner”, Stephen Dinan - The

Washington Times Thursday, May 9, 2013

5 “Senate bill doesn’t stop most illegal immigration: Fed study”, Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times Wednesday, May 8, 2013