Of course, after very recent significant visit of President Barack Obama to El Paso and
Austin, Texas, which happened just over two days ago, I thought it is appropriate to write
about his speech related immigration issues. I know this blog is about the government of
Texas; however, the President’s speech on Immigration policy of the country in general is
very significant for a border states like Texas and California.
As Washington refuses to agree on a federal immigration policy, illegal immigrants from
around the world are resided and detained in Texas. They are putting a strain on both the
criminal justice system and the state budget. Last year, more than 1,600 illegal immigrants
from India crossed into Texas and overwhelmed the courts and jails in the Rio Grande
Valley. Waves of immigrants have also come from Brazil and China. It is estimated that
nearly 10,000 inmates in Texas prisons have a detainer, which means their legal status is
in question. They account for nearly 15 percent of the total prison population, and each cost
about $18,000 a year to feed, house, care for, and even educate. Therefore, as cost-cutting
alternative, if the government could be able to deport all illegal who are eligible for parole,
the saving could add up to more than $100 million a year. http://www.khou.com/news/texasnews/
The-high-cost-of-criminal-immigrants-in-Texas--121638759.html
However, there is a limited resource to deport everyone in this country who is here illegally.
Being in a border state, poses a greater risk to the security of Texas. In such critical
situation, President Barack Obama delivered a speech on immigration issues on 10
May, 2011, on his visit to Austin and El Paso, Texas. The president wants to see a path to
legalization for the millions of illegal immigrants in this country, something opposed by
Republicans who control the House. Hispanic lawmakers are pressing Obama to take
executive action to stop or slow some deportations, particularly of students, which he's so
far refused to do. But with the 2012 election approaching, Obama is highlighting his focus
on immigration, a key issue for Hispanic voters.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory/7553116.html. Before Pres. Obama came to power, he spoke at the League of United Latin American Citizens on July 8, 2008, that “America has nothing to fear from new comers because America was always a land of immigrants”. http://www.talkradionews.com/news/2008/7/8/obama-said-america-was-always-a-land-ofimmigrants.
html. I personally criticize that an issue of immigration should be bounded
with strong policy than using Hispanic and others migrants as a tool for election campaign.
Once they entered into the state, they definitely require too much resource to deport,
educate, create job, and deliver public services such as health care and housing. Therefore,
strong immigration policy should be designed to stop future illegal immigration and
legalization of immigrants who are already resided. Migrants are major sources of both
skilled and non skilled labor for the economy of the government. Thus, it is wise to
appreciate such demographic changes as population is a resource and power of nations. I
also suggest that the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies
should be doubled so as to control illegal immigrants at the border of Texas.
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