42.6 F
Oxford

Scruggs, Vassallo Debate: Changing USA Immigration Policy?

Dickie Scruggs: We need a sane immigration policy—not a roundup.

Richard "Dickie" Scruggs
Richard “Dickie” Scruggs

The argument over illegal immigration across the southern border is essentially over. Like it or not, they’re already here. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of undocumented immigrants rose from about 7 million in 2000 to more than 12 million in 2008, when it began a decline to the current estimate of 11.3 million.

This surge in illegal immigration occurred under a two-term Republican President with mostly Republican Congresses. Ironically, according to Reuters and official ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) statistics, President Obama–often knocked as soft on the issue–has deported more undocumented immigrants than any previous president, and this week hinted at more massive roundups in early 2016. And yet, despite the recent highly publicized crossings and deportations, the number remains steady at about 11 million undocumented immigrants.

The proper question—and, I submit, the only question susceptible of a rational answer—is what to do about the 11 million so-called “resident illegals”.

I argue for a plan resembling former President Bush’s. He correctly recognized that: “Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic. It’s just not going to work….” Similarly futile would be “militarizing” a border over which billions of dollars of commerce routinely flows. (Mexico is our third largest trading partner.) Instead, President Bush proposed a plan—with bipartisan support—for a “pathway to citizenship” for undocumented immigrants. It would require them to register, pay taxes, stay out of trouble and off public assistance. After a period of years on “probation”, they could apply for full citizenship.

The latest Gallup poll reflects that 65 percent of Americans support a “pathway” solution, although the number of Republicans who support eventual citizenship is just 50% and is declining. The trend among Democrats is increasingly supportive.

A vocal minority, championed by Donald Trump, urges massive roundups, internment camps and deportation boxcars crammed with immigrants.

Hispanic immigrants are hard workers and make good neighbors. They were indispensable in helping the Coast get back on its feet after Katrina. While they were helping us dig out, repair, and rebuild, NO ONE ASKED ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

This is my “point”: there should be a sensible, humane and bi-partisan plan for giving these hard-working immigrants a path to legal residence, then citizenship. Proposing to deport 11 million full-time residents of the U.S. is inhumane, impossible, and inconsistent with our great country, which is truly a “nation of immigrants.”


Steve Vassallo: We need controlled borders if we are to have a safe and secure nation.

Steve Vassallo
Steve Vassallo

Under the current administration, the situation on our southern border with Mexico has eroded into total chaos. The “spin” by the administration that things are improving is laughable.

Representative Duncan Hunter (R, CA) had this to say recently: “The greatest existential threat to this nation right now is this administration’s open-border policy. This is no longer about immigration, it’s about the President and the DHS keeping open the corridors on the southern border that are accessible to anyone in the world. We can defend our country against another country’s navy, a missile threat and even repel a conventional military invasion. But the President’s policy of allowing anyone into the nation as students or refugees presents a serious threat.”

The facts back up the Congressman’s concerns. According to our Border Patrol statistics in October, 5,000 unaccompanied children crossed the border. And in the first half of November, another 3,000 came across! Since the new fiscal year commenced (10/1/2015) an increase of 58 percent of illegal immigrants has resulted. According to the Washington Times, some 25,000 illegals from El Salvador; Honduras; and Guatemala have been caught in the first seven weeks. The increase in illegals stemming from China, Brazil, India and Cuba has increased by 100 percent during this same period. Illegal immigrants from Pakistan has increased 400 percent. Border patrol officials in DC are keeping a deafening silence that is anything but golden.

And to add insult to injury, if the aforementioned is not frightening enough, 13 Syrian refugees have been detained attempting to cross the “Gateway to the American Bridge” in Laredo based upon a recent report by KGNS Television in Laredo.

The fanatical left in our country is attempting to paint Donald Trump and other Republicans as those who are out in “left field” (no pun intended) when the facts are all with the GOP. Hillary Clinton’s position is to continue to let illegals cross, legalize those who are here, and make certain they are allowed to vote sooner than later. What we need is a secure wall similar to the one Israel has to protect its border, the elimination of sanctuary cities, and a common sense approach to running this government. What Hillary & Co. also want to dodge is the fact that 40 percent of illegals are visa overstays which the government has no realistic policy to address nor do they care to.

As to what to do with the 11 million already here that entered illegally, there is a simple, humane solution. Donald Trump has never suggested internment as the Democratic pundits continue to shout, wanting the American electorate to believe yet another of Hillary’s falsehoods similar to the recent ISIS recruitment video. When the truth surfaced, Donald Trump was not featured, but her husband was! Just a slight mistaken identity! To remedy the illegal problem, employers should be placed on notice that the hiring of illegals is a federal crime that will no longer be tolerated. This alone will greatly reduce the problem on its own merits.

In conclusion, the felonies and other crimes being committed by this element is over the top. In just Texas the number of felonies attributed to this problem is alarming. This is an issue that cannot be soft-pedaled any longer. It’s time for tough action opposed to the rhetoric by the left. Another eight years of this dangerous and deadly reality will make all of America unsafe, even for the nannies and gardeners!


Dick Scruggs is one of Oxford’s best-known former attorneys who now expresses his passion for adult education through the GED in a unique state-wide program he has developed, aptly called “Second Chance.” Scruggs is a well known Democrat and anchors the position of the Left in Point/No-Point. He can be reached at DickScruggs@gmail.com.

Steve Vassallo of Oxford is a frequent contributor to HottyToddy.com covering a wide range of subjects. An arch conservative, the popular columnist holds the political position of the Right in Point/No-Point. He can be reached at sovassallo@gmail.com.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com