COLUMN: New immigration bill promotes growing xenophobia

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by Gerald Falchook

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"GIVE ME your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." -- Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883).

Yeah, but first let's build a big fence to keep those people out.

And then let's double the size of the U.S. Border Patrol to make it even harder for them to enter the land of hope and opportunity.

And once they do get in, then let's deny their children public education. And then let's kick them out anyway.

But we want to make sure we kick them all out, so let's give the states the right to arrest them. And while we're at it, let's give the local authorities the right to arrest them, too.

So says the recent immigration bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. So says an unruly posse of upper middle class aristocrats who are encouraging isolationism and courting protectionism. So say your elected congressmen.

This bill, which vows to fight illegal immigration with a vengeance, is a sign of a growing xenophobia in our country.

These are among the highlights of this bill, our government's latest crusade:

* States would have the right to deny public schooling to children of illegal immigrants;

* The number of U.S. Border Patrol agents would be doubled over the next five years;

* A 14-mile fence would be built along the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego at a cost of $12 million;

* State and local governments would be given the authority to arrest illegal immigrants.

Can you believe that our elected representatives passed a bill that would deny children public education? That would deny children the right to learn?.

Think about that. What is the reasoning behind this provision? Where is the logic? Is this really an appropriate incentive to discourage illegal immigration? What argument can there possibly be that justifies this act of malice?

Then there is that wonderful $12 million fence.

What a symbol. Pat Buchanan would be proud. I bet he is jumping up and down in his living room right now. The U.S. Border Patrol is no small matter, either.

If this bill becomes law, the United States would have a border guard larger than the armies of more than a few small countries.

Best of all, the state and local police would get to join in the fun.

This bill would allow Sheriff Billy Bob of Podunk Border Town, U.S.A. to run his town his way. He will have all the authority he needs to "cause a little trouble" for them there immigrants whom he believes are taking away jobs and ruining his country.

What should scare you (and it certainly scared me) are the provisions which were printed in the bill before its last revision:

* A reduction in the number of legal immigrants;

* Restrictions for legal immigrants in bringing in family members;

* A standardized English test for employment-based and diversity-based immigrants.

Violence is riding on the heels of this legislation. Do you believe me? Do I need to draw you a picture? Do I need to remind you of the reckless beating of the two illegal immigrants in Los Angeles a week and a half ago? Do I need to show you the video footage, captured by the KCAL camera crew?

Do I need to tell you that the sheriff deputy clubbed the man with his baton until he fell, face-down, to the ground?

Do I need to tell you that he then clubbed the woman, and that he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground?

Do I need to remind you that neither the man nor the woman appeared to offer any resistance or make any attempt to get away?

I wonder to myself with half-shame and anger how often this sort of thing happens off-camera.

Were our forefathers not immigrants once?

This nation is a nation of immigrants, and it saddens me to see that people have forgotten this central historical truth.

They have forgotten that one of their ancestors came to this country with almost nothing but the clothes on his back.

They have forgotten that he had to work and save every penny he earned for three years so he could send for his family.

They have forgotten that his native language was not necessarily English and that he may not have spoken it when he arrived on the American shores.

More importantly, they have forgotten that immigration is what gives our country power.

It is what has always given our country an edge over others. Immigration is the life blood of the United States.

Try not to forget, Americans, that your origins are more humble than you often like to admit. And do not let this document become law.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the April 12, 1996 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
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