Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution reads: “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion.”
Today, however, America is being overrun by foreigners like never before. According to a recent study conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center, an average of 850,000 individuals illegally entered the United States annually between 2000 and 2005. The report also estimated a staggering 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in our country.
Allowing anyone and any illegal substances to enter our nation through Mexico is reckless and irresponsible, and the fact that our government spends billions of dollars to protect us from terrorism means little if we continue to ignore this urgent crisis.
In a post-9/11 world, Americans can’t afford to leave the borders so poorly guarded. Continuing to neglect this problem leaves America at a greater risk for future attacks.
Moreover, the number of violent incidents at our border is at an all-time high. Those who attempt to cross illegally are becoming more likely to fight with Border Patrol agents when confronted, rather than return to their native country.
Furthermore, it’s naive to assume that all those who sneak into this country are here to work. The Department of Homeland Security said 139,000 of the 1.1 million individuals arrested by authorities in 2005 were criminals attempting to re-enter the United States, according to The Washington Times.
The flow of drugs and other contraband is an additional consequence of an open border. According to Reuters, between 70 and 90 percent of all cocaine in the United States arrives from Mexico. If someone can smuggle drugs into this country, what is stopping our enemies from bringing biological or chemical weapons in that could harm millions of Americans?
The situation has become so dire that some have decided to take the law into their own hands.
In April 2005, the controversial Minuteman Project began patrolling areas of southern Arizona to help prevent unlawful border crossings. Despite its success in assisting the Border Patrol, President Bush dismissed the group as “vigilantes.”
Many in the Latino/a community have accused these volunteers of racism, nativism and claim they are fearful of foreigners. But these critics are missing the point. The bottom line is that people are breaking the law to get into this country.
Most Americans appreciate the hard work that legal immigrants do for this country, but all immigrants who dream of a better life in America must wait their turn and enter the United States legally, as many of their predecessors did throughout our nation’s history.
The Border Patrol is doing the best job it can with limited resources. It simply doesn’t have the manpower to secure the 2,000-mile stretch from San Diego to Brownsville, Texas.
Last year, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson declared states of emergency; this will make their respective states eligible for federal funds to halt the invasion. In addition, just two weeks ago, Napolitano ordered additional National Guard troops to assist the 170 that are currently helping authorities on the border, according to Agence France-Presse.
It’s obvious we have a serious dilemma regarding our border with Mexico. The only effective solution is one that has been proposed by San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter (R – CA 52nd). He introduced legislation in November to build a reinforced fence that would span the entire border, according to The Associated Press.
It’s expensive – an estimated cost of $8 billion – but this fence could stop illegal entry into the United States. In the long run, it would also pay for itself by saving the U.S. government the billions it spends each year to support – and deport – illegal immigrants.
Our elected officials need to stop beating around the bush and finally secure our border with Mexico to ensure the safety of all Americans.
-Jeff Bracken is a business management junior.
-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your full name, major and year in school.
