The most intense feeling in opposition to amnesty for illegals is often not the strongest. What I mean is the emotional driver’s among anti-amnesty activists is not always the emotional driver that will attract the widest level of support. For instance, I oppose illegal immigration because; it is a Law and Order issue, illegal immigrants rapidly change our culture for the worse, illegal immigrants threaten traditional American values, illegal immigration brings violence to my community. I am sure the readers can bring other valid reason to reject illegal immigration and amnesty as well.
However the strongest argument is the one you should always use. With 10% unemployment among all workers and twice that amount of unemployment among low skilled workers, the strongest issue should be obvious. Illegal immigration makes it harder for American Citizens to get jobs, reduces wages, and hurts workers both union and non-union.
We should remember the words of Bill Clinton, “It is the economy stupid.” If you can link, and it should be easy, the poverty and desperation of American workers to the tolerance of illegal immigration, a person should be able to increase there level of support over what they otherwise would get. The message should be very clear and blunt. You do not have a job because “You Congressman, State Representative, Sheriff refuses to take measures to enforce the law against illegal immigrants” who take jobs that as a citizen you should rightly have. That is a powerful message.
As to those officials who are doing the right thing, and there are many, you must bring to the public’s attention what you are doing. Silence will not work this year. Every government official, especially those on our side, must take a stand and tell what they intend to do to fight illegal immigration.
Mike Seigle,