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Immigration policy flaws on display

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Friday, Dec 15, 2006 - 12:15:21 am CST

The shortcomings of U.S. immigration policy were on display this week in Grand Island as children were separated from their parents at Christmastime and the entire community sustained economic damage.

The Swift & Co. plant was one of six targeted for workplace enforcement by federal officials.

The Republican-led Congress dragged its feet on immigration reform earlier this year, in part because its leadership thought it could turn the issue to political advantage in the November election.

Instead, Congress approved construction of a 700-mile fence along part of the U.S. border with Mexico, a feel-good measure that won’t do much to improve the situation.

Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, it should be noted, was not part of the GOP’s political machinations. He pushed strongly for comprehensive reform. Conversely, Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson, facing a re-election challenge, joined hardliners in support of the fence.

Improved border security, although important, is an incomplete response to the complex problems that have resulted in an estimated 10 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.

Right now it’s too difficult for immigrants who want to work in the United States to do the right thing. Application for legal status now means spending months and possibly years in an inordinately befuddling system. A sample of that experience was reported in the Journal Star series “A Home for Brissa” earlier this year.

Comprehensive reform would include a simplified guest-worker program. It also would include stronger penalties for employers who hire workers who are in the country illegally.

And Hagel’s bill on the topic would have required immigrants and guest workers to show a machine-readable, tamper-resistant identification card that includes a digital photograph of the individual and would establish an employee electronic verification system to ensure that newly hired employees were legal.

In the wake of this week’s enforcement at Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Grand Island and in five other states, federal officials said immigrant demand for counterfeit identification is fueling identity theft.

The extent of the problem with false identification was illuminated earlier this year in Nebraska when two Fremont residents were arrested in what federal officials described as a “very sophisticated” home-based operation that supplied hundreds, if not thousands, of fake Social Security cards, driver’s licenses and other forms of identification.

An Arizona state official told the Christian Science Monitor this week that illegal immigrants can purchase a three-pack — driver’s license, Social Security card and permanent-resident card — for about $160 on the street.

The recently adjourned 109th Congress, which was in session for only 103 days, properly has been stigmatized as one of the most do-nothing Congresses on record. Its failure to deal adequately with immigration reform is only one of its many inadequacies. The issue should be the top of the to-do list when Congress reconvenes next year.


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LJKREN wrote on December 15, 2006 7:01 am:
" If you entered by any means than thru immigration, like our grandparents, you deserve to be deported. You broke the law! "
wallace mcnabb wrote on December 15, 2006 7:18 am:
" No matter how much you politically correct this issue. It is a fact that they are illegal immigrants. The congress is not republican it is american. Neither party has a veto proof majority. Stealing someones identity is a crime. Wonder how you would feel is the I.R.S. started harrassing you over two incomes? There is a radio personnality in Omaha that had his i.d. stolen and it cost him thousands to get it right. "
Jerry wrote on December 15, 2006 7:59 am:
" "Illegal" Aliens! Yes, I feel sorry for them, but they knew the potential consequences when coming to this country illegally. Everyone seems to forget the significance of the term "illegal". This whole editorial comment reaks of political rhetoric in supoport of Senator Hagel. "
David wrote on December 15, 2006 8:33 am:
" Why again does LJS bring up Christmas??? Christmas doesn't have anything to do with law enforcement! Maybe LJS should get involved and help law enforcement do a better job by planning around the holidays so nobody has their feelings hurt! "
Hank wrote on December 15, 2006 8:46 am:
" What does it say about Nebraskans when Senator Nelson feels that to get reelected he has to support a bill that authorizes money for just 70 or so miles of a projected fence that covers just 700 miles of a 2,000 mile border as the sole solution to something as complex as immigration? Meanwhile, Senator Hagel is continually and harshly criticized here in Nebraska for urging we take a more comprehensive look at immigration. I guess this is just another case of people getting the government they deserve. Immigration is an issue that is critical to the lives of millions of people. Grow up, Nebraskans! Show some of the intelligence and humanity that you are so ready to criticize others for lacking. "
Gary B wrote on December 15, 2006 8:50 am:
" Under the editorial staff's rationale, students should be allowed to cheat on their tests and assignments if they are deemed 'too hard' by the students. I should be able to drive 100 mph down the interstate because it takes 'too long' for me to reach my destination. We should just let criminals go free because it involves 'too much paperwork'. Give me a break! I am hugely in favor of hitting Swift and any other complicit corporations with BIG fines for hiring illegals...but this myth that the illegals arent' hurting anybody and are a valuable asset came to a screeching halt this week, as MANY of the illegals arrested we involved identification theft...which is certainly NOT a victimless crime. Is it unfortunate that this all happened within 2 weeks of Christmas? Yes. Should our entire legal system start declaring religious holidays, and the weeks leading up to them, as being off-limits for arrests? I would hope the answer is a resounding 'no'. If the editorial staff wants to continue campaigning for the Democratic party, something they unabashedly do here, then maybe they should take a look at Nancy "Tenacious P" Pelosi's 'First 100 Hours' and see where Immigration Reform falls on their list of top priorities...oh wait, it doesn't even make the list. http://www.democraticleader.house.gov/about/100hours.cfm "
Sean1 wrote on December 15, 2006 9:25 am:
" Illegal immigrants who drag their families with them into violation of a federal law are no better than the parents who are running a meth lab from their home. They are well aware of the dangers and problems that can and will result from their illegal actions but still put their families at risk. Swift and assocaited companies no linger have a Johanns to fend off the Feds while they knowingly hire illegals at slave labor wages. Senator Nelson is responding to WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTS. Hagel is running for President and for sale for the highest vote bid. With illegals buying forged ID's (which probably includes voter registration cards} It's not too hard to see where his priorites lie. "
Dm wrote on December 15, 2006 9:35 am:
" By this editorial we should feel sorry for every criminal that in county jails because they happened to break the law at christmas time....Id they didn't want to end up in jail and be seperate from family then you shouldn't done the crime and shouldn't came here illegally... "
Steph wrote on December 15, 2006 9:49 am:
" Should immigration reform be on the list that Nancy Pelosi has for her first 100 hours? Yes. Absolutely. Do we need it, totally...Is it the fault of the Mexican people who arrive here seeking a better life for their families, NO! I am sorry but unless you are one of these "illegals" trying to work and save enough to enable you to get through the channels to become legal you don't really get the extent of the problem. I have a dear friend who is married to a man born in Mexico who went through channels and became an American Citizen, a fact he is very proud of. It took him 10 years and it also took him not only about $1500 in good ole' American money, AND an extra $1000 to make sure he was able to stay in the country and work to support her and one of her grandchildren while this process went on. The problem is that this is one case, among thousands. There are so many false rumors out there that make people think badly of the Mexican people. I understand that we have a job shortage in this country, but it seems like Anglos do not think that a packing plant job that pays only $10. an hour is good enough for them. We bellow and scream about the illegals but we do nothig to fix the problems with the Immigration Service. When this gentleman I was speaking of was working to get the papers for his children processed, his son-in-law checked and the status of the applications that were being worked on by the Immigration Service was that they were working on applications from 1996--this was in the fall of 2004 folks! I am in no way in favor of criminal activity but people who are desperate do desperate things to be able to have a place at the table. I would encourage each of you to think what you would do if you were born in a very poor country and it was close to the United States; the richest, most powerful country in the world, and you had heard all your life about the American Dream and how all you have to do is work and you can attain that dream...Your children go to bed hungry, you have nothing...what would you do to ensure a better life for your family? I thank God that the parents of my parents came over to this country and were allowed to stay--I was lucky to be born here, but that is all it was: luck. "
Bah wrote on December 15, 2006 10:10 am:
" uh yeah. If you do a crime it is your fault! Using your logic, anyone who "suffers" should be able to break the law. Just because they come from another country doesn't mean they can freely do what they want just because you feel sorry for them. There are a lot of poor people who don't break the law even though they want a better way of life. Illegals should not be above the law. "
Reform Needed! wrote on December 15, 2006 10:14 am:
" I am still at a loss for words as to why Nelson would support a billion-dollar-plus fence instead of reforming a system that is currently broken. Who is going to build the fence? Unless you understand how the immigration system actually works, then it is hard to criticize those who have no ability to use it. I challenge politicians to understand the ins-and-outs of immigration law before they speak. Americans also need an education on how it currently works and why it's failing. There is no application to fill out if you want to immigrate to the U.S. It is virtually impossible for Mexicans to get Legal Permanent Residency in the US unless they get married to an American. It can take 20-30 years for a Mexican (different countries vary) for an immediate relative to get permanent residency. A temporary work permit is different, but it's just that, temporary. I'm not suggesting we should open our doors, but to claim one needs to come here "legally" there should first be a realistic legal option. "
Dale W. wrote on December 15, 2006 10:33 am:
" If our government had done its job securing our borders we wouldn't have this problem and there would not be the hardship these hard working illegals are going though. We must enforce the laws of our country. Both of our parties Democrats and Republicans are to fault. We must secure our borders now for the sake of our countrys survival. "
David wrote on December 15, 2006 10:35 am:
" Ben Nelson won the vote of Nebraskans be approx 70% to 30%. I'm sure labeling the majority of Nebraskans "hardliners" means you are certainly in touch with your readers and Nebraskans. "
Cheri wrote on December 15, 2006 11:51 am:
" It seems to me that the LJS editorial and Hagel are actually attempting to seek out effective, longterm solutions instead wasting time, money and resources on ineffective solutions. It's true the law can and should be enforced at anytime, but what sort of heartless individuals fail to acknowledge the tragedy that's occurring when individuals are fighting to give their families a better life, and fail. Are you all so sure if you were in their position, you wouldn't violate the law in order to provide for your children? None the less, they are facing the consequences, which is righteous, but still sad. I agree that the goal is truly effective prevention and am glad that at least one of our senators is actually thinking rather than just licking his finger to see which way the wind is blowing. Just because the conservative masses (especially in Nebraska) are going along with a philosophy, doesn't mean it's correct action. We've seen that time, and time, and time again with horrible consequences during the last several years. War, global warming, human rights violations, etc etc - and also the failure to effectively address immigration violations. Yet clearly there's a host of people who'd still rally for the status quo. That also is quite tragic. "
Bert wrote on December 15, 2006 11:56 am:
" Oh, come on, really, why blame immigration for doing their job. The flaws are that we don't throw the Employers in jail for breaking the law by hiring the illegals. Sam Revit needs to be brought to task over the raids as well as the many others that hire illegals. Send the ones that broke the law back with their families and kids. "
DESTINI wrote on December 15, 2006 4:18 pm:
" I just want to say you people of Nebraska are heartless! That's right there is fact. They know they broke the law, but the timing of a raid was a little bit thrown, that's all LJS is saying. I was going to happen, the government has been planning since Feb 06, but why, raid right before christmas? A time when families are supposed to gather, not children left homeless. However, the theory that they might as well be running a meth lab is just stupid. These immigrants come risk their lives to come to the United States to make a decent wage. They house together, save their money, car pool and whatever else necessary to make it work. Maybe some of us American's can learn from them. Stop being so ignorant! ITS A HARSH WORLD, THEIR NOT HURTING YOU ALL, SO I SAY LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!! "
zoomie wrote on December 15, 2006 4:24 pm:
" Some comments on this: 1) What fence? Sure, they voted for one. But they didn't fund it. No money, no fence. Talk about a "show" vote that's totally meaningless! 2) "Illegals" are not violating our criminal code, they violate our civil code. To most there is no distinction, but it in fact means they are not "criminals breaking the law who deserve what they get." It's also why local PD's don't worry about rounding them up, as its a Federal function to enforce. 3) DHS has been deceitful on this raid. They've been touting identity theft and how its hurts so many as justification. But of the almost 1,300 now in custody, only 110 have been charged with a crime, and most of those were NOT charged with identity theft. 4) Hundreds of small children have been left with no parent or caregiver, and the children are American citizens. Where do they go now? Who cares for them? 5) Dozens of people who have been held (denied lawyers, denied phone calls, denied contact with their families) have been found to be US citizens and/or LEGAL immigrants with green cards, who have done nothing wrong. Most are being released, but their union is having to foot the bill of returning them home after the Feds took them hundreds of miles away. If it was a Fed error removing them, Feds should pay to return them home! "
Bah wrote on December 15, 2006 4:47 pm:
" Let's wait until after Christmas for any action against criminals. Well no, that might run into New Years and the kids would always remember this year as the year their parents were arrested for being criminals - we better wait. No, wait Martin Luthern King day is in a few weeks - we can't do it then. And you know how kids love Groundhogs Day so we don't want to ruin that for them because their parents are criminals...As for civil code? When you come into this country, but then falsify documents to get a job - you are breaking the law. 110 being charged with a crime is 110 too many if you are the one impacted by their deceipt. "
George wrote on December 15, 2006 8:35 pm:
" The only purpose the raid served was to keep the immigration issue in the news. This will keep the fire under Congress to pass the Amnesty bill, so we can integrate our fellow North Americans into our society. "
boo hoo wrote on December 15, 2006 9:05 pm:
" People these people broke the law. I worked at a law enforcement office. The deputys picked up offenders and warrant violators everyday of the week. Should we put off locking up other offenders because of a holiday. I think not. How upset would you do gooders be if one come in your house and stole goods during a holiday. You people who have been brainwashed by some peace or church group make me sick. "
terry wrote on December 15, 2006 9:38 pm:
" Hagels plan is a reward for breaking the law. The first time in my life I supported a Democrat. Ben Nelson stood up for us and said ok to enforcing laws we already have no to change them to suit big companies. Thank you Ben. "
Roger wrote on December 16, 2006 9:07 am:
" Let's see, I come to this country illegally, then I expect to work and not be sent back to my original country, also, I bring my family here illegally, and I expect them to be able to get medicare etc. Something wrong with this picture. When do the average joe citizen get to be average joe citizen doing things right and living within the law. Maybe we should just go back to vigilante days and leave the process to who ever has the best guns wins. Of course then the immigrants would win because they know how to fight better than we do. We have left ourselves vulnerable to an open ended society that will be ever increasing in illegals and we will not be able to do anything about it. We should just make all of them legal citizens and put social security numbers and income tax ids on each and then maybe the budgets in this country would balance. "
Kenneth H. Zike wrote on December 16, 2006 11:31 am:
" APATHY.. That one word describes the reason our nation is looking at twelve million illegals in side our borders, draining our treasury. The American people, especially the do nothing politicians have did absolutely nothing to stop the flood of illegals coming across our borders. I am talking about the years of constant in flux of more and more illegals coming in , and the Federal agencies not doing their jobs. The illegals supposedly do work Americans will not do. Stop the welfare checks to second land third generation Americans and give them those jobs. Every politician who could have and should have done something is guilty of mal feaance of office. They should be indicted. Now we have law enforcement officers who want to enforce the laws they agree with and not those they do not. The oath they took the day they pin on thair Badge stated they would enforce all the laws of the land. They swore to up hold the Constitutions, State and Federal. They have fail to keep their oaths. All Federal funds should be stopped immediately to the Cities where the elected officals and the Chiefs of Police refused to assist Federal agencies in the recent round up of illegals. Now we have the do gooders crying about the families being left here alone at Christmas because their sponsor has been apprehended for violating our immigration laws. Round up all twelve million to include their families and send them all back to where they come from. Let them apply to re enter in accordance with our laws. I am sick and tired of paying taxes to a do nothing government. Enforcing the law is part of what I pay taxes for. "
stacy wrote on December 16, 2006 1:08 pm:
" Reform? Stop the madness...We MUST enforce the current laws. Wise up folks your blind to the fact that WE THE PEOPLE are being sold down the river by our rogue political thugs. Illegal is just that get over it. And if you think you can merely mosey to any country and live off them then your ignorant. Enforcement is what is needed and if we dont stand up anf fight for this country then we soon will be a third world country I then wonder how you gutless wonders will get along in life. Wake up folks. "
stacy wrote on December 16, 2006 1:18 pm:
" I hope illegals steal each and every one of the ljs identies to include hagle. he is an idiot. "
FD wrote on December 16, 2006 3:11 pm:
" I think that Swift & Co should pay for the familys to return to there home conutrys as there were the ones that held up the raids in court to spot them. What should the people that had the Identy stolen and now the IRS is after them for income they did not work for. I would think they should sue Swift because they allowed the Illegal immigrates to use the ID's so they can get the IRS off there case because the Illegals did not pay taxes! "
Ben Thar wrote on December 16, 2006 9:40 pm:
" 15 bad guys captured, well done. Then the enforcers left 245 innocent documented workers, some American Citizens, with no way home from Iowa to Grand Island. Is this legal or just, or even human? I for one as one who has served in the military defending our constitution feel sickened. I never thought I would see people looking like storm troopers on our own soil committing such a dispicable act. Enforce the law yes, but one would think there was enough decency left in this country to return the innocents to where you took them from. I as a vetern and American am ashamed, we all should be! If I were an American citizen involved in this fiassco you can bet I would be filing a law suit and screaming for someones scalp! Where do they find such ignorant supervisors for these Gestopo look alikes? "
RR wrote on December 16, 2006 11:14 pm:
" Let's see first there is the cost of the welfare we provide most of them, then there is the double identity some of them use for this also, then there are the free meals at school, along with the schooling, then there is the cost of medical care most of them get, then if they get in trouble, we have to have an interpreter for the hearings, at a cost to the county, and these take twice as long, and the list goes on and on. The point is folks this costs the taxpayers a ton of money, and very little is going back into the system. For those that feel sorry they cannot be with their families, be charitable and drive them back to Mexico or whereever for Christmas, but Oh wait you would not want to be caught transporting an illegal would you?? "
Mark wrote on December 17, 2006 2:28 pm:
" You know if they would have been here legally then they or the city would have nothing to worry about. Instead of complaining about what happened, maybe the city should step up making sure that the people that get hired in their city are legal. I don't feel sorry for them one bit, they knew what the dangers were and apparently thought that separation from their children was worth it. They brought on themselves! "
Randy wrote on December 17, 2006 10:32 pm:
" "Immigration policy flaws on display" reads the headline. How about on of these headlines instead? 1) Mexican government corruption fuels illegal immigration. 2) US government’s illegal immigration enforcement shows flaws. 3) Meat packing industry lack of paying a living wage exploits the poor from other countries. It is a well known fact the Mexican government and rampant corruption present in the Mexican culture is what drives its poor people over the border. Why doesn't the press or leaders in the US government critize the failed economic policies of the Mexican government? The fact that the second largest source of foreign capital for the Mexican government is money sent home by illegal workers in the USA is shameful. The Mexican government should be ashamed that it is exporting its poor. Or is the Mexican government really being strategic in their thinking that by exporting millions of Mexicans to the USA they will be able to influence US politics in the future to the benefit of Mexico? Do we really want to become like Mexico with rampant corruption? It’s simple, enforce the laws on the books. Border security is the first order of business and should be dealt with by a stand alone bill. Immigration reform is a separate issue and should be addressed separately. This is only common sense; border security first, immigration reform second. It’s obvious, anybody who opposes this approach really condones illegal border crossings with a wink and a nod. It is also a fallacy to take at face value the conventional wisdom that Americans will not work in these jobs. There is almost a 100% turnover in jobs in the meatpacking industry on an annual basis, so apparently illegal immigrants don’t like these jobs either. It supply and demand, if the meat packing industry paid decent wages, there would be plenty of legal workers willing to take the jobs. The current use of poor illegal immigrants is a modern day form or slavery. These illegal workers drive down wages for the middle class for legal citizens. Why doesn’t the press report that more often? The LJSis biased in its reporting on immigration and border security and its stand on this issue shows it is against the working American middle class. "
Nancy wrote on December 19, 2006 9:22 pm:
" What part of illegal, does the author not understand. ID Theft is a felony. The Federal, State and Local Governments, business and individuals need to stop looking the other way. Finally, ICE is doing it's job. Families at Christmastime and any other time who knowingly break the law should expect to pay the consequences for their unlawfull behavior. Why have laws if they're not enforced. What kind of society will we have if we do not obey the law. What kind of example does not obeying the law set for children. "
shs wrote on December 21, 2006 1:23 pm:
" How about we just anex Mexico and tax the hell out of all of them? Move that fence down to the bottom of Mexico to keep out the peoples of Central and South America. We could offer tax breaks for any one that can already speak English. There would be thousands of young people to help take up the slack in the armed services. And while we are at it we can just take over Canada too. Most of them already speak English. Well there is no quick fix and there is no free lunch. But it is everyones job to help keep our country safe. It is everyones job to make sure that the politicians do what we voted them into office to do. And it is everyones job to stay up to date on all of the things happening in our world so that we can keep our country safe. Every time we the people take a nap and don't do our job another terrorist gets a free shot at us. "
CS wrote on April 23, 2007 12:15 pm:
" In most states you can't collect welfare unless you can prove that you are a legal citizen. There, I fixed that one for you. "

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