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Time to speak out

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Staff

By Ellie Kinnaird

It is time to speak out against the hostility and outrageous treatment of undocumented people in our state – such that has not been seen since the Jim Crow days. We strive to be a better people than this, but unfortunately repeat this disgraceful conduct every generation. How can we forget the history of discrimination in this country of the Irish, Germans, Italians, Poles, Czechs, Chinese, Japanese, Catholics and Jews? And now Hispanics are the target of intolerant speech and action.

We should not deny children, who are in this country through no fault of their own, admission to our community colleges simply to make political gain. Not only is it morally wrong, there are many Supreme Court decisions that public services cannot be refused to undocumented persons, including attendance at schools and colleges.

We need to ask what is the real purpose of the 287(g) program that costs taxpayers millions. It is a program that enables sheriffs to stop Hispanic-looking people for the slightest infraction and, if undocumented, turn them over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for deportation, separating families and wreaking great hardship.

Some of the animosity comes from the myth that undocumented workers don’t pay taxes. Quite the contrary, they pay more than citizens by paying into Social Security and income taxes withholding that they never collect. As renters, they indirectly pay property tax, and they pay sales tax on every item they purchase.

Another advantage of open borders would be a reduction in drug trade. The “coyotes” who bring people across the border now often extract from them promises to engage in drug trade once they are here in the U.S.

An overhaul of the immigration system is crucial. I propose open borders with Mexico, as we have with Canada. Those seeking employment, after presenting reliable, accurate documentation, could enter the U.S. for work and return to their own country freely without seeking permanent status. They would be issued a social security number preceded by an “N” for non-citizen. They would be covered by labor laws, but not unemployment or welfare benefits.

Mexicans love their families, their culture and their country. Many do not want to stay in the U.S., only to work long enough to provide financial security for their family. But it is so difficult and dangerous to cross the border (about 300 die per year), that they remain.
I hope we can find our moral compass as well as follow the law of the land.

Ellie Kinnaird represents Orange and Person counties in the North Carolina Senate.

3 thoughts on “Time to speak out”

  1. Sophie King-Lowe says:
    March 12, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Isn’t the “law of the land” created by our “moral compass”?

    As an elected representative, what has your office actually done to change the current laws that you so detest?

  2. Lowe Maynnoo Dell says:
    March 13, 2009 at 5:50 am

    I can believe that you actually believe the rubbish that you just stated. Decrease in drug trafficking! Atre you serious? It would be an open highway for drug trafficking. Also, how many people in North Carolina last year were killed by illegals? Either by automobile or otherwise. not to mention traffic accidents were the illega had no insurance, drivers licens or proper ID. If want to allow illegals in from Mexico then there should be a pseudo Ellis Island registration point at the border and do it the proper way. My ancestors did and i assume your did as well.

  3. MDS says:
    March 14, 2009 at 6:03 am

    Illegals in the trades don’t pay taxes or social security and are able to underprice natives who work in the same trades, many of whom are self-employed and have to keep up with mortgages and health insurance for their families. The article’s sentimental attitude is a win-win for locals– it allows them to get their landscaping, housepainting, etc. on the cheap and feel righteous about it. Point out that illegals get an unfair advantage and you’re a racist as well as out of work.

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