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    While the political establishment is boldly marching toward their non-solution to border control by sending military forces to the border, the larger question of how to secure the borders and control illegal immigration are being virtually ignored politically and in the public debate.
    The truth is that solutions far better and ultimately able to resolve the problems are available, however the debate has steered clear of them for sometimes-inscrutable reasons. Those solutions are to increase the capability and effectiveness of the agencies already tasked with border security and immigration control, to enforce the laws that are already in place, and to enact practical measures to shore up deficiencies in both current law and capability.
    The Border Patrol and USCIS are already tasked with the roles of controlling the border and immigration; however, in both cases, these agencies are critically under funded, under manned, under equipped, and arguably under trained. Additionally, these agencies lack the support at the federal level that allows them to appeal their incapacity and receive the resources needed to do their job. This lack of support is both in resources and in the resolve to enforce existing law.
    This fact of incapacity is now exacerbated by the choice by the President and Congress to send military forces, in the form of National Guard troops, to the border. Because of this choice, the funding, manning, equipment, and training that should be directed to the agencies already tasked are now going to be redirected to supporting the National Guard. Now, in order to accomplish the necessary solutions, the task will be twice as expensive and take twice as long.
    What are these solutions that will actually resolve the border security and immigration debate? First, the federal government must completely fund, man, equip, and train the US Border Patrol as has been promised since 9-11 and the foundation of the Department of Homeland Security. Obviously, the Border Patrol needs at least 6,000 more agents and support personnel, as evidenced by the Guardsmen being deployed, and the funding, equipment, and training that go along with those 6,000 people. Will it take any longer to fund, train, and equip 6,000 new agents and support personnel than it will to do the same with Guardsmen yet unfunded, untrained, and unequipped to support the Border Patrol?
    Second, the USCIS needs a similar increase in funding and manpower. More importantly, the USCIS needs the support of both the Executive Branch and Congress to begin a direct and massive enforcement effort of the laws already on the books to control immigration. While it is undeniable that there are hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants entering the US every year, they most often do so because there are jobs available in the US for them to come take. These jobs exist because major US employers continue to offer jobs to and hire illegal immigrants in direct defiance of existing laws. Simply enforcing those laws against employers engaged in those practices would reduce the flow of illegal immigrants by reducing the demand.
    Third, there is no doubt that the current laws and enforcement capacities of both the Border Patrol and the USCIS need to be increased. Some sort of passive enforcement measure at the border, like a fence or a wall, is likely appropriate. Further greater penalties for smugglers and employers who knowingly hire illegals should be enacted. Most importantly, a streamlined, simple system for allowing guest workers into the country should be established.
    These are the real and ultimately successful solutions to the problems of border security and immigration control. Following the path discussed above will allow for the final, long term solution to those problems without deploying the military to the border or spending money that should be spent on those solutions on temporary patches instead. The question becomes whether or not the politicians and citizens of the United States are willing to do the right thing instead of the expedient thing.
DLH
We are using troops at the border where they arguably shouldn’t be used.
We aren’t using troops (or at least military power) in Iran, where it arguably should be used.
It seems to me, not to over-simplify, that we need to do more arguing. The basis of Republican Democracy, which (last time I checked) was the system of government which we are purported to have, is built on an informed and intelligent citizenry making informed and intelligent decisions about public policy and then having their elected representatives enact that policy on their behalf.
“Informed and intelligent citizenry” I said.
“On their behalf” I said.
And I meant it.
Oh, wait. Gotta go — American Idol is back on…