by Ron Woodard, NCLISTEN
 

Recent News and Observer articles have touched on the imbalances in the current state of immigration to America. The real issue of course is the number of immigrants, not should we have immigration. Today, immigration is responsible for 67% of US population growth. Our population growth rate rivals some third world countries. With numbers this high, immigration is affecting our ability to provide secure borders, the unemployment rate, education resources, health services, and countless other areas of life. Even though illegal immigration is discussed the most, the large amount of legal immigration is a concern.

Is our Security threatened? The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is choked with paperwork due to the almost one million legal immigrants coming to America each year. Even with the new Office of Homeland Security, no one believes we can adequately do background checks on this many people. The General Accounting Office reported in January that 20-30% of INS applications included fraudulent information. Also, the INS estimates about 400,000 illegal immigrants each year are being added to the estimated 8 million already here. We know nothing about these individuals.

A study by the Center for Immigration Studies found that 22 of the 48 Al Qaeda linked terrorists between 1993 and 2001, who were in America, had committed significant violations of immigration law prior to taking part in terrorism. We are told that illegal Muslim immigrants might blow us up with a bomb, but illegal Mexican immigrants are not a risk. As it turns out, most of the illegal drugs coming into America, come from or through Mexico. The average American is more likely to be affected by narcotic drugs being sold to their children, than being blown up by a bomb. And yet the NC DMV is still issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

Is education affected? In North Carolina there are over 52,000 students in English-as-Second Language [ESL] and Limited English Proficient [LEP] classes. According to the John Locke Foundation’s study on the average cost per student, the cost to the taxpayer for ESL students in NC is over $320 million. It is estimated that one third of those in ESL classes are dependents of illegal immigrants. Is it fair to ask if our children are affected by the huge cost to support ESL students? According to the NC Dept of Public Instruction, only 19% of LEP students made adequate yearly progress last year. In an N&O article in May, Wake superintendent Bill McNeal said it takes twice as much money to educate a student who performs below grade level. And record numbers of ESL students are repeating grades.

At a time of high unemployment, we allowed nearly one million legal immigrants to America and an estimated 400,000 illegals. These are yearly numbers, with no reductions in sight. Congress has the power to lower the numbers. We are told illegal immigrants do the work, which Americans will not do. But of course, who did this work before the illegal population swelled? Citizens are subsidizing certain businesses by paying for the social services and health care costs of illegal immigrants, who pay little taxes. In a March N&O article, the INS estimated as many as 75% of working class Hispanics in North Carolina are illegal immigrants. According to the Census Bureau, household income for Hispanics actually dropped during the 1990’s. And among Mexican immigrant families, more than half live in or near poverty. The increase of illegals is especially hurting working class Hispanics who came to America legally. Interestingly enough, Governor Easley has said the State must prepare for switching from a reliance on low-skill jobs to high-skill jobs.

What would bring immigration back into balance? Lower the numbers of legal immigrants to traditional levels of about 300,000 per year, which includes refugees and those seeking asylum. Make immigration policy that is in America’s best interest, not special interests. Stop coddling illegal immigrants by allowing them to acquire driver’s licenses. Require companies seeking state contracts to validate they hire only legal residents. Hispanics now make-up over 40% of all immigrants coming to America, and this is unfair to others. The solution is to make immigration more diverse, but lower the overall numbers. Then welcome legal immigrants who have waited their turn, and desire to share in the American dream.


 
 

Appeared in Raleigh News and Observer (NC) News