March 28, 2006
Illegal Immigration, the U.S. and Rome
When thousands show up at a protest against illegal immigration reform, you know we have a problem. Click the link above and you'll see some photos of the march. One shows a person holding a sign that says, "We are not criminals."
Well, yes, you are. By circumventing the immigration process and entering the country without permission, you are breaking the law the moment you step over the border. One of the definitions of the word criminal is "one who has committed or been legally convicted of a crime."
The idea that we ought to create a guest worker program is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of. It's bad enough that thousands of people swarm over our borders daily uninvited. Who's to say that when we invite them to take part in this program that they won't overstay their welcome as many do when their visas expire? And will we be able to accomodate the millions more who will decide to come here once such a program is implemented? Don't even get me started on amnesty for those who are already here. It sends a message: Americans are a bunch of pushovers.
Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it. Here's a bit of history worth remembering.
During the end of what we call the great Roman Empire, the Romans were off fighting the Persians. Their volunteer military was still highly trained and highly effective. While the Romans concentrated their efforts in Persia, they allowed the Germanic tribes to come in to Rome. Not as citizens, mind you. Roman citizenship was not handed out like candy at Halloween. They were treated them like, well, illegal immigrants. Kind of pesky, not desirable, but what harm overall could they do?
There was a little battle called Adrianople. And it was the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Because the Romans didn't take the Germanic tribes seriously, that situation began the downturn of one of the greatest civilizations ever known.
Quite a parallel, hmm? No, I am not suggesting we shouldn't be in Iraq or fighting terrorists elsewhere. That is necessary and I believe our commitment shouldn't waver. But to treat our illegal immigrant problem lightly is a problem --one that won't go away unless we are firm in our resolve to not water down our immigration laws and to enforce them. They have broken our laws and should not be rewarded for doing so.
We need to let our government know that we won't stand for it.
John Hawkins has more on what he calls an illegal immigration horror show.
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