Posted by
Jay Noble on Friday, September 15, 2006 11:56:20 AM
Yesterday the House of Representatives once again passed legislation to construct a 700 mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Predictably liberals accused the Republican majority of political grandstanding. Such criticism is accurate but not relevant.
The majority in the House should reaffirm, every day the House is in session, its determination that no immigration reform legislation omit a committment to secure the southern border by a bona fide physical barrier. This daily affirmation should be co-joined with a similar declaration that no legislation including a "guest worker" provision will be acceptable, until the President certifies and the Congress agrees that the southern border has been made secure and that persons currently in this country unlawfully are deported.
Not only is this good policy for the country, it is good politics for the House Republicans. The conservative base will rally to support and re-elect Republicans who demonstrate a firm committment to border security and respect and enforcement of the law. This is a position which will attract support from moderates and even some Democrats in border states.
President Bush has been an excellent president on many issues. Regrettably, immigration is not one of them. On this issue leadership must be exercised by the Republican House, supported by the conservative base.