Not Amnesty but Attrition

The issue of what to do about illegal aliens living in the United States is often presented as a Hobson’s choice: either launch mass roundups to arrest and deport 9-million-plus people, or define away the problem through legalization.

The second option—amnesty—is the one President Bush chose in his January 7 speech on immigration. It also underlies many congressional proposals, from the McCain-Kolbe-Flake and Hagel-Daschle bills in the Senate to the House Democratic leadership’s plan unveiled in late January.

About the Author

Mark Krikorian

Mark Krikorian is the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

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The issue of what to do about illegal aliens living in the United States is often presented as a Hobson’s choice: either launch mass roundups to arrest and deport 9-million-plus people, or define away the problem through legalization.

The second option—amnesty—is the one President Bush chose in his January 7 speech on immigration. It also underlies many congressional proposals, from the McCain-Kolbe-Flake and Hagel-Daschle bills in the Senate to the House Democratic leadership’s plan unveiled in late January.