I have read with interest the various perspectives presented in the debate on U.S. immigration policy. I pose the following question to anyone who thinks "border control" efforts will not accomplish anything: If the U.S. had no border control (or policing at airports, etc.) what would happen to the number of good people entering this country from the far corners of the world?
There is no doubt that if there were absolutely no barriers or restrictions at our borders, this great nation would be flooded -- overwhelmed -- inundated -- by MILLIONS of well-meaning, hard-working, honest "tired and poor" people within a matter of months.
It's hard to know the number who would move to the U.S. if our borders were opened, but surveys in many countries show significant numbers who would like to live in the U.S. If the borders were opened, perhaps 3 billion people would find their way here in a short period of time - ten times the current population of the U.S. The infrastructure would collapse, our water supply (and food supply) would be exhausted, people would be sleeping in the streets, energy would be at a premium, in short, chaos would be the new norm.
While removing incentives for people to move here via increasing incomes in developing countries is a worthwhile goal, right now border control is the primary deterrent preventing chaos in this country.
At current rates of growth, in just 15 years the U.S. population will grow by the equivalent of a new Los Angeles, plus New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Indianapolis, San Jose, Memphis, Washington, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Boston, Columbus, New Orleans, Cleveland, Denver, Seattle, and El Paso. All of these to be added in just 15 years! We have heard a lot about the cost of rebuilding New Orleans. The cost of developing all the new infrastructure that will be required in the next 15 years will be huge - and perhaps not achievable. If we opened our borders, the reality would be much worse.
Another question: can our borders be sealed; can 'border control' become 'perfect'? Of course not! But it is and remains a crucial deterrent.
It seems to me that two principles are at work here. It should be the right of any individual to leave a country in which they do not wish to live - if they can find a country that will accept them. It should also be the right of each country to determine the number of immigrants they will accept and to take action to enforce the policies they set. Enlightened countries should work to end poverty in the developing world, but that does not eliminate the need to have borders.