The recent terror attack in New York City by a legal immigrant that won a visa through the outlandish lottery system highlights the need for radical reform.
Eight people were killed by the 29-year-old Uzbekistan native who pledged his heinous crime to honor ISIS. While Americans understand the need to be alert about suspicious activities and characters, the failed policies that presuppose foreigners are of good will stand roundly discredited.
Many of the current vetting methods and laws that the Left continues to staunchly defend must either be stricken down or drastically modified. Here are four ways the nation’s leaders can mend this wound:
#1. Scrap the Diversity Program
The diversity visa program allows upward of 50,000 foreigners to gain a Green Card for no other reason than not many people from their country of origin migrate to the United States. The basic logic of this pathway to citizenship is faulty on its face, but has become a darling among liberals.
Nothing about this program identifies the applicant’s desire to become an American or a basic respect for the nation’s values or rule of law. More often than not, foreigners are just trying to escape some type of problem at home.
Applicants get into the U.S. through a lottery system. It’s basically on big drawing, like pulling a name out of hat. Given there is no legitimate rhyme or reason to who or why someone gets this free pass, the program should be done away with entirely.
#2. End Chain Migration
Chain migration essentially creates a loophole whereby illegal immigration can be covertly conducted under the cover of law. During the 1950s and 1960s, immigration topped out at about 250,000 per year. The advent of “chain migration” amped those numbers up to 1 million per year since 1990. It’s a problem that has led to gross overuse of government services and tax payer dollars.
The process begins with one foreigner going through the green card process and acting as an anchor. That immigrant can then bring over their nuclear family, and it can be difficult to deny them on the basis of cause. Rejections often result in expensive and difficult to win lawsuits against the government.
The first wave to be pulled over include spouses, parents and unmarried children. Then married children and their spouses as well as children can be tapped. The program will even expand the umbrella to include the sole green card holder’s siblings, their spouses and children. Should any of these immigrants gain a green card, the process expands again. It’s an exponential disaster.
New York City killer and ISIS-convert Sayfullo Saipov has reportedly helped two dozen others gain entry to the United States. This program should be restricted to spouses and children only. If those terms are unsuitable, no one is forcing terrorists like Saipov to move the America.
#3. DACA Requires Compassion And A Wall
The so-called Dreamers have a point: they were brought here as children and at no fault of their own became illegal immigrants. They also know no other country except the United States. Many are patriots and contribute in meaningful ways.
If the issue is not resolved, 900 currently serving in the military could be expelled. None of that makes sense. But this is the mess that the short-sighted Obama-era policy created. President Trump has acted correctly and lawfully in deferring the end of DACA. He has bought these young Americans time while Congress decides their fate.
The alternative could have been a quick strike to several state attorneys to end the law that would require immediate deportation. Although Trump appears to be negotiating, a pathway to citizenship and a wall to stop this type of illegal immigration with children are needed. The president may need to create a pathway through service via executive order and tough it out in the courts. The wall may be a different legislative fight in DC.
#4. Expand The Merit System
Currently, merit-based immigration is grossly underused. Few artists, scientists or inventors find their way to American soil because they can provide game-changing benefits. Countries such as Australia have been tremendously successful by requiring potential citizens bring something economically or culturally substantial to the table.
The merit-based system accomplishes three important things and should be adopted.
First, it helps to ensure that the incoming population adds value to communities. Second, it selects a class of people less likely to utilize taxpayer services such as welfare and government-funded housing. Third, it helps to protect hard working Americans.
Unskilled immigrants under the current policy are notorious for undercutting American blue-collar families. This change would require an act of Congress.
Despite the ranting by the Left that foreign-born people have a natural right to come to the United States, nothing could be further from the truth. America deserves well-reasoned immigration reform that is consistent with the values and interests of everyday Americans.
~ Conservative Zone
