by Peter G. de Krassel
Immigration and how to legally recognize illegal immigrants became a top legislative priority and was pushed to the forefront by President Obama and a bipartisan group of senators and members of Congress.
Immigration and why it is an economically driven two-way street was a subject former Mexican President Vicente Fox elucidated during a breakfast I had with him on January 27, 2013, at Canter’s, a Jewish delicatessen in Los Angeles. His grandfather had immigrated to Mexico from America, for the same economic reasons many Mexicans have come to America – and gone back to Mexico – to provide a better life for their families.
Immigration is not just an American issue. It is a global issue that has to be addressed urgently. The U.S. clearly has a leadership opportunity to promote immigration reform and free-flow of immigrants beyond our borders.
“With the right set of immigration and visa reforms, we can help usher in a new era of American opportunity and economic vitality while giving the global economy a boost,” wrote Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company in a USA Today Op-Ed piece.
Legalizing illegal immigrants and making them pay a hefty fine, which the government can finance and deduct from their paychecks if necessary – plus taxes – and forcing employers to cooperate and turn in illegals who decide not to register and become legal taxpayers is a natural global solution.
An immigration fix that is long overdue is the recognition due Philippine vets and Hmong soldiers who fought alongside American troops in World War II and the Vietnam War. I have met some of these unsung heroes in the Philippines and America and understand their pain and anger. It is time for America to deliver on its broken promises to these American patriots.
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