Once Upon a Time in Mexico: The Mexican Problem

The Mexican Problem

Mexican Crossing the Border to the United States

The year is 1954. President Dwight Eisenhower felt a sense of urgency to track down illegal immigrants crossing in from Mexico based of a New York Times article that he read on the subject. He appointed General Joseph Swing as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with intention of expelling a large number of illegal immigrants from the Southwest United States. So with a team of about 750 men, the INS went door-to-door, checked everyone's citizenship during routine stops, and basically asked anyone who looked Mexican for proof-of-citizenship. This was code-named Operation Wetback (Yup). The goal of the INS was to detain 1,000 individuals a day. In one month, 50,000 illegal aliens were detained and another 488,000 fled back to Mexico in California and Arizona. In the third month of the operation, 80,000 Mexicans were detained while 500,000 to 700,000 fled in Texas alone. They didn't just drop them off across the border either. The either put them on buses or ships and transported them to the most southern part of Mexico so they couldn't easily cross back over. And by the late 1950's, President Eisenhower did what no other President has accomplished since, a 95% drop in illegal immigration.

But did anyone ask why the Mexicans can't live here?

It's not like we are running out of room. What's wrong with Mexicans? America is supposed to be a melting pot. This country has been open to immigration from all over the world since the existence of this nation. We allowed scores of Europeans to enter the country at Ellis Island in the previous century. The Civil War, in the century before that, would trade citizenship, food, and housing to the Irish in exchange for military service. And less then 30 years ago we literally took in all the "rif-raf" from a Fidel Castro-led Cuba because even they didn't want them (think Scarface). So I ask again, what's wrong with the Mexicans?

Immigrants immigrating in record numbers in the US at Ellis Island, NY

We can only blame ourselves for illegal Mexican immigration. In the years just before the Civil War, the Mexican government allowed Americans to live and work in the Mexican state of Texas. Americans were still Americans and had all of their liberties. They were able to farm in Texas and ship their goods and cattle to other parts of the US making the early Texans very wealthy. Mexicans saw that the Americans were living like kings for the same amount of work. Eventually the tune of Texas becoming an American state started to play and the Mexican government expelled all Americans from Texas and our country was now at war with our neighbors to the south (Battle Of The Alamo). We eventually won the two year war (1846-1848) and we confiscated New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, and western Colorado from Mexico. 

So as you can see, many Mexicans were forced into this country. Texan may have wanted to be Americans, but do they speak for the other 6 states who are now living in a different country then their families? Do they have a voice to protest? Absolutely not. So when their families come over to be with them, who does the blame fall upon? The government that forced them to live by their way of life. And now because of rapidly deteriorating situation in Mexico, Mexicans are coming across the border more and more to the Land of Opportunity. Can you really blame someone for wanting a better life? Or seizing a better life for their children? 

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states that all people born on US soil are Americans. They made this amendment for former African slaves because the South tried to say that they weren't American because their roots was from Africa and their ancestors who have been living and working (excuse me, enslaved) in the US for hundreds of years were never naturalized. The unintended consequences of this amendment allowed poor Mexicans to come to America, have children, and allow those children to have more opportunity than they ever had without fear of deportation.

So what do we do now? 

Republicans argue that we need to secure our borders and then persecute any illegal aliens in the country. Democrats argue that we should have some kind of amnesty program for those already living here. So who is right? I believe they both are. 

Signs like this can be seen at  the US-Mexico Border

Secure

We do need to lock down that border. Not only to stop illegal immigration, but because it is a security risk. I for one do not feel comfortable knowing that an Al Qaeda member needs only to get to Mexico in order to gain access to American soil. This is the first step that needs to be taken. We must secure our southern border so not even a fruit fly gets in unnoticed. This requires more boots on the ground, helicopters, and spy planes. 

Encourage

The second step (and this is solely my opinion) is to grant those who are here amnesty. Those already here are not aliens, but people who have made lives for themselves here. How can we just turn them back so cold-heartily? These are our neighbors, coworkers, and members of our community. Most of them also have kids who are now Americans. Are we to deport the parents and leave the kids to the foster system? This only cost more tax payer dollars and we then begin to breed a Mexican generation unfairly equipped to succeed in America. So we offer them a period of like 2 years to go and register themselves as Americans with full benefits.

Discourage

The third step is to come down with the heavy hand of the law. If we catch anyone in the country illegally after the amnesty period, then we will make life a living hell for them. If we catch an American employers employing illegal immigrants, then they will be so far up to their neck in fines that it will be doubtful if they can maintain their business. 

All steps must be completed in its entirety before moving on to the next step. When complete, we will have a safer America, a larger tax paying America, and an America of Americans. Then and only then will the "Mexican Problem" will become crown jewel of everything America really is. 

Thanks for reading and part 2 of this series will be coming very soon.....MLK