High cost of low action

Illegal immigration is a serious problem.\nWhile this might seem like a no-brainer, there are those who don't see the problem. There are even those who argue in favor of rewarding illegal immigration by giving status to those who are here.\nHowever, a hard line on immigration is necessary for several reasons.\nFirst is security.\nIt is true that most illegal immigrants come here to work hard and make a better life for themselves, but the security and crime problems created cannot be ignored.\nFor example, in a recent immigration raid at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev., an illegal alien from Nicaragua employed to do work at the base was found to be a known member of the street gang MS-13. \nThe fact that a member of a dangerous gang was working on a military base should tell folks everything they need to know.\nIn another example, December raids on Swift and Company meat-processing plants revealed illegals from such countries as Sudan, Ethiopia and Laos. Additionally, agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement uncovered an identity-theft scheme using stolen Social Security numbers and other documents to gain employment. \nStill think illegal immigration is harmless?\nBeyond the obvious security risks, there is another type of risk posed by illegal immigration: financial. Many do not realize how much money illegal immigration costs the U.S.\nIn an analysis of Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger's budget, it was revealed that providing child services to illegal immigrants costs California taxpayers roughly $500 million each year, but there is no way to track whether that money actually goes to the children.\nImagine what California could do with that money if it were not providing services to people who have no right to them. My guess is that there are plenty of legal immigrants and American citizens in California who could benefit from services funded by that money.\nAnother example of the high costs of illegal immigration comes from Henderson County in North Carolina.\nAccording to a Jan. 4 Pisgah County News report 27 percent of the patients at the local health department require a translator. Additionally, Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis estimates that about 25 percent of the people in the county detention center are illegal. Furthermore, Sheriff Davis has recently been made to consider putting his officers through training to certify them as federal immigration officers. Overall, the detention center spends roughly $500,000 each year on illegal immigrants. \nStill think illegal immigration costs nothing?\nWith serious problems created by illegal immigration, what can be done?\nFor starters, employers need to be punished.\nI do not believe that illegal immigrants take jobs Americans do not want. If employers would stop seeking cheap labor and hire honest American workers, we would make a huge dent in the problem.\nSecond, border security needs to be tightened.\nThis should involve building a wall on the Mexican border, stepping up surveillance of the Canadian border and enforcing immigration laws wherever they are violated.\nThe cost of these actions may be high, but the cost of inaction is even higher.\nCall it the Tancredo-Delp doctrine.