Letter: Immigration laws must be enforceable

Thursday, May 31, 2007 | 7:22 a.m.

Th e immigration legislation Congress is debating is quite simply a smoke screen designed to confuse and split the electorate to accomplish precisely what most Americans oppose.

Our elected representatives, from President Bush to Sen. Ted Kennedy, are in the process of determining the least damaging - to themselves - contrivance to sell us down the river to advance their selfish interests. Current immigration law is ignored by nearly everyone, including local police, school districts, welfare agencies and most federal agencies. How can anyone imagine that the proposed legislation advances American principles?

Only modest legislation is necessary to take an extraordinary step toward resolving our immigration problems.

First, immediately secure our borders, not close our borders, just secure our borders - at any cost.

Second, simply require all agencies (police, schools, hospitals, welfare departments, etc.) to report, not necessarily take action, but at least report all suspected violations of immigration regulations to the appropriate agency. Although this may not result in immediate action, at least we will collect accurate information concerning the extent of America's illegal immigration problem.

Finally, simply make it extremely unprofitable, even criminal, to intentionally or unintentionally employ anyone who is in America unlawfully.

Within a few years, the necessary, responsible, hardworking, educated individuals will immigrate, and will do so - legally. The unneeded and undocumented individuals and families will eventually drift back home; the remaining illegal undesirables will ultimately be apprehended, and jailed or deported. A note to President Bush and Congress: K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid .)

F. Jay Harrell, Las Vegas