From the Miami Herald

... in response to From the Miami Herald, posted by AlexG32 on Oct 29, 2002

As sypathetic as I am to Colombians or any other people who
want the freedom and opportunity we have,the argument here is a poor weak one.
Only a person who is unusually threatened should be allowed in under this policy.I would think they would need to show an extreme personal risk because of who they are or what they have done.Just being a Colombian and living in a country that is risky doesn't cut it in my mind.If it did we would have to let them all in.
The other problem with policies that talk about offering amnested to those already here,it is a huge incentive to be one of those,so get here illegally before the law takes effect.I think this was the main reason for tightening of the tourist visas before 9/11.Bush and president Fox of Mexico were talking about an amnesty for people already here,so immigration got tough about letting anybody come.
Interesting,John Malvo,the kid charged in the sniper case,came in with his mother on a boat to Florida.It seems this is a cheap and easy way to get in.Its 60 miles to the Bahamas from Florida.There are thousands of private boats in south Florida and thousands of places to dock in the US,thousands of people have private docks to waterways right to the ocean.It seems to me the coast guard can't watch even 5% of them.I was reading a boat performance report in a powerboat magazine.They made it to the Bahamas in 55 miniutes.I don't know the penalties if you get caught.Much less than for drugs I would think.The illegal gets sent back if caught in the entrance effort I would presume.But Malvo got caught later and INS let him go.
I would think the boat owner would be in better shape helping a relative than appearing to be a commercial smugler.
The Cuban rule is if you actually set foot here you get to stay.I don't think this applies to others.The case was made that people from Haiti had more to escape from but the government didn't buy it.
I heard reports of it costing $5000 to get smuggled in this way.I bet it could be done for way less than that. And it beats the hell out of a long walk across a hot desert.400 Mexicans a year die trying that.
I do have great sympathy and actually respect for people who want very much to have what we are so fortunate to be born in to.I know we need control of our borders,but in an individual case I sypathise with the illegal.
And I said it before,I would like to trade every one on welfare here for people like this.(Of course we can't do that,citizens have rights)They find jobs.This is the promised land and some people think they are victims and entitled to be taken care of by the government.Others find huge opportunity,even with many obstacles like being illegal and not speaking the language.
I did hear a figure Im had not heard before.A guy on a talk show last night said the INS deports 180,000 illegals a year.Thats about 2% of the estimated illegals.The other interesting number was the head guy at social security said as many as 10,000,000 people may be working with false SS cards.Seems people with an incentive beat the beauracrat about every time.Its easier to come here illegally than dealing with the legal process.And it seems for the huge majority they get to stay.

Pete