Lynne Stevens
Why is it for the last decades we still have a 500-pound gorilla in every political room; not just in the United States, but all over the world?
The gorilla has divided cultures in European countries, overwhelmed human resources and created divisions everywhere. Here in the United States, we have seen border towns with Mexico stretched beyond capacity. Schools struggle to meet the needs of a population that does not speak English, plus help students who come from different cultures.
Of course, that 500-pound gorilla is the immigration of populations fleeing governments run by dictators, violent gangs and climate change. Assuming we as a people will not have the will to do what we must to abate climate change, parts of the world are now unable to grow food to support their populations. They are desperately looking to relocate in huge numbers.
Closing our boarders here in the United States – given our current laws – seems to be impossible. Trump tried it and was stopped by a federal district judge; the appeal was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals.(FactCheck.org.)
This is part of what was in the bill which the Republicans tasked Sen. James Lankford to negotiate. It was stopped by the GOP. It is called the “Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act” for anyone to see:
* Total, $118 billion;
* New border barriers, hire more border patrols, increase detention facilities and more immigration judges;
* Eliminate catch and release under most circumstances;
* Tough new standards to win asylum status;
* Give power to the President to shut down the border once illegal crossings per day exceed 5,000 over seven days. Under 5,000 they get screened and detained for asylum status; over 5,000 per day they do not get screened and immediately deported.
The bill was supported by the Wall Street Journal editorial board, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Border Patrol Council Union. There was considerable bi-partisan support for the bill in Congress.
Republicans in Congress shot down a strong border bill when there was a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the bills contents by GOP Senate members on news outlets and Social Media posts (FactCheck.org). Trump said, “Only a fool or a radical left Democrat would vote for a bill that only gives shutdown authority after 5000 encounters a day.”
Sen. Lankford clarified on the Senate floor that the first 5,000 would be detained and screened for asylum. After 5,000 per day, they would be detained and immediately deported – with additional Presidential authority to do so. While both sides wanted more, it is a start that has eluded us for decades.
Those who continue to deliberately spread falsehoods about this bill should be aware of the consequences of not having this law enforced – with added border enforcement powers. Only lack of desire for knowledge or a motive to intentionally mislead the public could possibly motivate continuing to spread false information regarding this unfortunately-defunct bill.
On a personal note: may God bless our librarian Mary Griffin, who suddenly passed away Aug. 22. I am greatly saddened by her loss, as many of us considered her a friend.
Lynne Stevens writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. She can be reached via email, geminga@mailfence.com.