Benjamin Disraeli, one of Britain’s great prime ministers, once said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” So, how can the average American citizen determine which set of “statistics” are truthful? Sadly, I’m not sure we can.
Two things are clear, however, to most Americans who take time to look. Many of the illegals work darn hard (that would include serving in the military) and pay federal income and Social Security taxes. Others don’t work and live off welfare.
President Trump has proposed we legally admit immigrants who will work, pay taxes and benefit our country. He would not welcome those who become “public charges.” Speaking recently in Iowa, President Trump said, “The time has come for new immigration rules that say ... those seeking immigration into our country must be able to support themselves financially and should not use welfare for a period of at least five years.”
Fox News added, “Mr. Trump’s proposal would build on the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which allows federal authorities to deport immigrants who become public dependents within five years of their arrival. It would also prevent the admission of people who are likely to become so-called public charges within five years of their arrival.”
Fox points out, “The concept of ‘public charge’ has been part of U.S. immigration law for over a century. It allows the government to bar entry to individuals who are likely to seek public assistance. Trump is expected to propose toughening up the rules regarding ‘public charges’ and ensuring that they are enforced.”
Such was the law when my mother came to this country. Until she married, she worked. She was never a public charge. She never felt the requirement not to be a public charge was onerous or unfair.
But if Mr. Trump is right, then it’s a rational second step to give preferred treatment to illegal immigrants who have continuously worked (including serving in the military) and paid their taxes -- for (perhaps) five consecutive years. I see no serious argument against granting them amnesty and citizenship. Their conduct demonstrates they are the kind of immigrants Mr. Trump says he wants.
But why should we grant amnesty and citizenship to parasites -- people who have illegally entered our country and milk our welfare system? Citizenship is partnership. Citizens share the benefits, but they also need to share the burdens.
As such, I would suggest three rules in reference to “illegal immigrants:
• First: Federal welfare -- whether direct or indirect -- should not be available to any illegal immigrant. The promise of welfare is a magnet that draws illegals across our borders.
• Second: Illegal immigrants who have become public dependents for five years or more should be liable to deportation.
• Third: No illegal immigrants who have accepted federal welfare money should be eligible for citizenship for themselves or any child they have brought across the border, until they have repaid all the federal welfare benefits they have taken, and paid federal income and Social Security taxes for (perhaps) five years.
For the president, there is an obvious deal to be made. In return for his wall to stop this mess from re-occurring, prompt citizenship for all the illegal immigrants here (or in the military) who have paid more in federal income and Social Security taxes than they have drawn in federal welfare benefit for (perhaps) five consecutive years, and who have no felony or crime of violence convictions.
You will notice I have talked only about federal taxes and federal welfare benefits. The federal government knows what federal income taxes and Social Security taxes all of us have paid. It also knows what federal welfare benefits we have been given. The question should be whether federal taxes paid are more or less than welfare benefits granted. If federal taxes paid exceed federal welfare benefits accepted, the numbers fairly suggest that the immigrant’s presence has benefited the nation.
Posted: QCOline.com October 9, 2017
Copyright 2017, John Donald O'Shea
Copyright 2017, John Donald O'Shea
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