May Day! May Day! May Day!

It is funny how the words May Day have several meanings. For some, it is the start of the Month of May. For others, it is a day to demonstrate for the rights of workers and left-wing causes. For some, it is a distress call, especially when a plane is in danger. But for some now, it is a day to protest for the "rights" of illegal aliens.

Now, before you start trying to label me as a racist, a xenophobic, or as anti-immigrant, let's get a few things straight about me, shall we? First, on my mother's side of my family, I am the grandson of Greek immigrants who somehow managed to come to America legally, obeyed the law, learned English, and became citizens. They never asked for the laws to be changed to accommodate them after they broke them and never dreamed to have the National Anthem translated in their language with the lyrics changed to be "political correct and less militaristic".
Second, my wife is Mexican-American on her mother's side. Sorry, amigos, she is going to work today out of her own choice. Third, our child who will be arriving in October will be a quarter Hispanic. Her family has lived in the US since 1919 and they have somehow managed to obey the law and become citizens. Despite their heritage, they are Americans first and loyal to our country and expect the law to be obeyed and be fair. They have also seen how some Hispanics have exploited their "brothers and sisters" by trafficking in illegal immigration, drugs, and charge high rents for a place a live. Also, they do not subscribe to the notion that somehow the Southwestern portion of the US was "stolen" from Mexico and demand its return like some extremists in the Latino community.

So what do I suggest that we as country do? The following:

- First, in the words of congressman Tom Davis: Build a high wall with a wide gate. In other words, secure the borders. If millions of illegal aliens can get in, so can terrorists, drug smugglers, and other criminals. People like MS-13 gang members should be kept out. We should permit more legal immigration and make it easier. Currently, our system of legal immigration is as confusing and conflicting as the tax code. People trying to play by the rules are forced to wait years while our politicians are considering legal amnesty for those ho outright break the law. Is that any way fair? I don't think so. Mexico actually throws illegal aliens coming in from other parts of Latin America in jail for at least two years. That seems interesting (scams like Vincente Fox is a huge hypocrite on this issue).

- Second, create a consistent body of laws nationally on how to deal with illegal immigrants. No in-state tuition, no driver's licenses, no voting rights, and no health care (other than legitimate emergency care) if you are here illegally. If an illegal alien is arrested, then the local and state police should report it immediately to the federal immigration officials. No more more catch and release. Not even bail. In addition, if it turns out that a fraudulent Social Security Number is being used, then that person should be arrested immediately. Also, companies should be examined on a regular basis for their hiring practices, not just when politicians are showing they be "be tough" on the issue.

- Third, President Bush says that mass deportation are impossible. Somehow, it was done in the 1950s when over a million illegal aliens were deported. Even if we just secure the border and remove the incentives to come here illegally, the numbers should go down.

- Fourth, no amensty should be allowed. We already tried that 20 years ago and it failed. If we do it again, it will be appear as an invitation for more illegal aliens.

- Fifth, create a group of immigration offices in major cities in Latin America (not just at the embassies or the consulates, we need to go where the people live) to make it easy for potential immigrants to apply for legal work visas. It would also, make it easier to investigate their backgrounds with the help of local governments there.

- Sixth, expand the number of Border Patrol agents and resources available to them. Congress has already offered the President the money to do so yet the Administration has rejected it. Time to take another tack.

- Seventh, a special note to the hierarchary of the Roman Catholic Church: Remember what Jesus said, Render onto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what is God's. In other words, the rule of law must be adhered to. You talk about letting in illegal immigrants for humanitarian reasons. Is it so humanitarian to bring them here illegally and then be exploited, working for less than minimum wage and in illegal working conditions? I don't think so. Plus, I have grave doubts is the majority of illegal immigrants were Baptists or Muslims that you would be so ready to defend their "rights". Let's be honest with ourselves. Plus, uncontrolled immigration will just force the wages of working people lower. How will that serve any good purposes?

In summary, I offer the above points as the basis for a logical and systematic approach to the issue of illegal immigration. I see a lot of hated and misguided passions on both sides. I would hate to see my own family and my own country caught in the middle of a conflict that does not have to happen.