Homeland Security Watch

Comment by William R. Cumming

February 25, 2009 @ 9:21 am

Reluctantly I have to admit that one major initiative of BUSH/CHERTOFF team was there effort at immigration reform. Killed by Republicans in Senate it does provide a firm basis for whatever modifications or approach is needed. Perhaps the tremendous time and effort put forth by Chertoff on Immigration was because he knew from his past in the DOJ how badly DOJ had treated the former INS and associated entities that dealt with immigration. After FEMA handled the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 (one of the reasons Carter lost) the Congress over the objections of DOJ mandated that a MASS IMMIGRATION EMERGENCY PLAN be developed by INS. That was never done. The most recent reincarnation was PLAN DISTANT SHORE which badly needs updating. Personally, as many who have read my comments know, DEA should have been moved into DHS. Also the Drug CZAR should be part of the National Security Council. Why talk about this? Because I have long advocated separate treatment of Mexico and Mexicans differently than the subject of illegal immigration from the rest of world including the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Superficially it may look like a blessing that many Mexicans are returning home because of the downturn in the American economy. But they will not find relief at home because Mexico’s economy is closely linked to the US. We must come up with a totatlly revised Mexican policy fast because those “returnees” for want of a better term having experienced a relatively free and uncorrupt environment in the US are not going to be satisfied with corrupt governornance and rule by the criminal drug cartels. This is already a major national security and homeland security problem so that any attempt to reform immigration polic–legal or illegal– that does not recognize that in many ways Mexico and the US are one country will be doomed to failure. This breakout was not attempted by BUSH/CHERTOFF but should have been. One suggestion, now that Wall-street helped “Privatize” and ruin Mexico’s Social Security system why not just consider incorporation of Mexico’s system together with that of the US, with Mexico’s permission of course. WE (the US) need the young workers contributing and they need the saftey and security of care for their aging population. Just a thought. We definitely need to start thinking outside of the box on Mexico or DISTANT SHORE will be renamed Mexican revolution and forcing the border in the millions in a hurry by those seeking security, food, shelter, and jobs. No internment camps please as part of the design.