Having pressed his case directly to Republican Senators, President Bush and the White House are proposing additional dollars toward border security in an attempt to gain traction with Senators opposed to immigration reform. The announcement by the Administration illustrates both its commitment toward immigration reform and its worry that without such a commitment to security, the president’s major domestic policy priority will fall victim to Congress’s indifference toward the issue. Despite this move by the White House it is unclear where the additional funds would come for border security in an already tight budget.
Congressional approval of increased security funding, though supported by the very Republicans the president is seeking for their support, is not assured and would directly compete with funding for other security initiatives supported by Democrats, including increased security at chemical facilities, more dollars dedicated to emergency preparedness and the myriad of domestic programs favored by the majority party.
President Bush has pressed for reform by making the case that the status quo is unacceptable and will only lead to more illegal immigration. The most vocal reactions from the public have been in favor of increasing border security and though the fate of immigration reform is uncertain at best, it is very possible that Congress may address additional legislation to increase the security presence at our borders, although authorizing more security is not the same thing as actually providing the funds to implement the measures.
Proponents of immigration reform argue that without reform, that more dollars dedicated toward border security will not alone stop illegal immigration. Opponents of the reform state that until our borders are secured, reform is not achievable, as more people will simply come here illegally presenting us with the same situation we are currently in. Both sides make compelling arguments and both sides have a point. However, the continued chicken or the egg game by politicians will ensure that we end up with the status quo, or worse.
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Dear BTA Directors and Staff,
I am a media consultant for the historic Cine El Rey, the multi-faceted theater in downtown McAllen, Texas and we plan to host a forum on the proposed border wall. I am writing to ask for your participation. It would be great to have Mr. Sepulveda or another of your organization’s representatives present.
We plan to host a town hall meeting about the border wall and immigration on Thursday, June 28, 2007 in McAllen. McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez has agreed to compose part of the panel.
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