Demystifying Multiculturalism: Getting Serious about Illegal Immigration

SEVEN YEARS after the Federal Government thought it solved the problem, sustained high levels of illegal immigration have again become a hot political issue. One need only look around the world to see that public opposition to extraordinary levels of uncontrolled migration can lead to destructive policies and the rise of irresponsible leaders. In the U.S. today, politicians of both parties recognize the potency of a promise to reduce illegal immigration. Unfortunately, there remains a chasm between a politician’s flamboyant promises and an effective public-policy response.

That chasm reinforces the belief that it is impossible to reduce illegal migration significantly without using land mines and tanks at the border. President Clinton apparently shares this belief, as he said, on a recent visit to California, that the U.S. lacks the resources to control its borders. The President is wrong.

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Michael T. Lempres

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SEVEN YEARS after the Federal Government thought it solved the problem, sustained high levels of illegal immigration have again become a hot political issue. One need only look around the world to see that public opposition to extraordinary levels of uncontrolled migration can lead to destructive policies and the rise of irresponsible leaders. In the U.S. today, politicians of both parties recognize the potency of a promise to reduce illegal immigration. Unfortunately, there remains a chasm between a politician’s flamboyant promises and an effective public-policy response.

That chasm reinforces the belief that it is impossible to reduce illegal migration significantly without using land mines and tanks at the border. President Clinton apparently shares this belief, as he said, on a recent visit to California, that the U.S. lacks the resources to control its borders. The President is wrong.