I believe in the American Dream...

but I resolutely don't believe in the newest immigration reform bill. Here's my problem in a nutshell: I have no problem with people coming to this country for their shot at the dream, but I really hate the people who do it illegally. The arguments regarding their contribution to farmworker labor doesn't float. I understand the plight of the farmer, but paying someone less than minimum wage is tantamount to slave labor and I don't go in for that either.

The biggest problem with the reform bill are the provisos for the current 12 million (plus or minus) illegal aliens currently here. They pay $5000 in penalties and we suddenly welcome them with open arms? No thank you. Here is a summary of what the bill entails regarding current illegal aliens:

• They could come forward immediately and receive probationary legal status.
• Bill creates a four-year, renewable "Z" visa for those present within the U.S. unlawfully before Jan. 1, 2007.
• Undocumented immigrants may adjust status to lawful permanent residence once they pay $5,000 in fees and fines and their head of household returns to their home country.
• People under age 30 who were brought to the U.S. as minors could receive their green cards after three years, rather than eight.
• Undocumented farmworkers who can demonstrate they have worked 150 hours or three years in agriculture can apply for green cards.
• No green cards for "Z" visa holders can be processed until "triggers" for border security and workplace enforcement have been met, estimated to take 18 months. Processing of green cards for holders of "Z" visas would begin after clearing an existing backlog, which is expected to take eight years.

I heard something on the local newstalk radio about this I found very compelling - First, how do you enforce this? Over 12 million people are currently here illegally and are apparently getting away with it, so how would this resolve that issue? Does it make sense that those who are currently here and haven't been caught will suddenly decide to turn themselves in and pay $5000? Yeah... that's gonna' happen.

We are a very forgiving and compassionate country. Taking a hard stance on those who wish to abuse our generosity is not wrong. I agree with the portions of the bill which provide for increased funds for border patrol and security, but let's change the focus of the rest of the bill. Instead of "amnesty" provisos, every time an undocumented alien is pulled over for a traffic violation, tries to get medical aid - basically anytime we are in a position to recognize and arrest them we do and we send them back home. A hardline stance will both make it very unpopular for those who think sneaking in will be a cakewalk and save taxpayer funds in insurance and other places where we are burdened for having to cover the costs of undocumented aliens.

To those who say that though they are here illegally they aren't hurting anyone and are actually contributing, I say if that is the case then do so legally. Otherwise you are hurting those of us who only break the law legally.