Trump Should Delay on DACA – Here is Why it is Obvious

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy put in place by Obama. It was designed for illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors and have never really experienced the country of their birth.  It allows them to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit. About 844,000 illegal immigrants have applied for this status.

On one hand, under our immigration laws, they are here illegally and subject to deportation. And these laws are valid, appropriate and well justified.  Any policy that allows them to stay and become citizens encourages millions of poverty stricken people from south of our border to flood across and take the chance of having a better life in America.  The results would be catastrophic in the diminution of quality of life in America, 

This is a real danger. When Ronald Reagan granted amnesty in 1986, he allowed over 3 million immigrants to become U.S. citizens. It did indeed create a flood of illegal immigration, we now have somewhere between 10 million and 20 million illegal immigrants (depending on whose numbers you use) in America. This is despite many rounds of “crackdowns” and “increasing border security” that were intended to curtail illegal immigration.

On the other hand, these are essentially innocent people, brought to the U.S. by their parents or others (certainly not of their own volition), who have been raised in the American education system. 

It is a difficult conundrum, two sides that people feel strongly about. But surprisingly, the answer is easy.

Concentrate on building the border wall.

Without the wall, which is both an actual and symbolic physical barrier, politicians in the future will be free to increase or relax security at the southern border. Yes, just what we need, a throttle on illegal immigration under the direct control of politicians.

Once a border wall is built, along with the commensurate electronic and administrative measures to make it secure, the ability for people to enter the U.S. illegally will be severely curtailed, and beyond the ability of politicians to use as a political ping pong ball.

This means the tragic side effects of Ronald Reagan’s amnesty program will not happen again

This means that the consternation and tension in conservative citizens knowing we have a back door open where someone can sneak into our metaphorical kitchen will subside.

And then the conversation changes.

Newt Gingrich was correct that America does not want to see a mass deportation of 10-20 million illegals from the U.S.  It would be an ugly business. But we can’t deal with these people compassionately if by doing so will result in a flood of new illegals. 

But if the wall is built and the risk abated, we are relieved of that tension of potential disaster for America. The fears are real, but the solution can be real as well. It is possible to satisfy all sides, and ensure the integrity of American borders while dealing reasonably with illegal immigrants.

Only then will we have the luxury of compassion.