The recently proposed Hinder the Administration's Legislation Temptation (HALT) Act, by U.S representative Lamar Smith, is designed to prevent the administration's discretion on immigration issues. Texas Democrats in the House of Representatives are attacking Rep. Smith's bill for they believe the bill attack's the president's integrity. The HALT Act will prevent the presidential administration from canceling the deportation of an illegal immigrant.
Illegal immigration cannot be allowed. It is a matter of national security. Texas' proximity to Mexico makes Texas a high target for illegal immigration. When people in the United States, citizen or not, break the law, that person must face the consequences. This Texas Tribune article states that the President Obama has deported the most illegal immigrant in recent Presidential history. However, why should some illegal immigrants be allowed to stay while others get deported? Why should one illegal be treated differently from another illegal immigrant? They are both illegal immigrants who have entered our country without proper documentation. Allowing unknown people to enter the U.S is a matter of national security. The reason why there is U.S customs in airports and shipping docks is to make sure the people allowed in our country are let in and keep people that shouldn't be in our country out. The HALT Act is a necessity to the protection of Texas citizens and all other border states where illegal immigration is more common.
Some oppose the HALT Act because there are special circumstances where the president should be able to use discretion to allow some illegal immigrants into our nation. For example, this Huntington Past article state that some families who adopt children from third world countries need discretion as a lifeline for their newly adopted child because some children may be sick and medical attention needed is not available in those countries. And yes, I understand that a majority of illegal immigrants do not mean harm and simply just wish for an opportunity for a better life. However, why do these good willed immigrant have to break the law? Why can't these immigrants apply for a green card? Just because a modern day "robin hood" robs a bank to donate to the poor does not give him immunity to the law. This modern day "robin hood" will still be tried for breaking the law. Good intentions do not give you the right to break the rules.
The proposed HALT Act is essential to protect our nation. Giving the president power of discretion on immigration issues gives a huge margin of possible corruption power. Who is to say the president may not use his discretionary powers as a political move to win votes? We as Texans and we as a nation cannot take that chance. We must protect our nation and our nation's laws. Why have laws when we just allow others to break them with no repercussions?
The immigration topic has always been a hot button topic for people. Wanting to pass tougher and tougher legislation against immigrants has yet to produce even a slow down in illegal immigration. I propose we should try something new, instead of making rules that prosecute the immigrant and cost the tax payer money, how about we stop creating a society that bankrupts another country. By legalizing drugs you would run the very people that ruin the Mexican economy out of business and then allow its citizens to at least get a foot hold on to repairing their own country. Instead of making our home undesirable how about we try to make their home more livable, an option that would save both countries billions of dollars.
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