Frank

Have you ever had that feeling of outrage while watching a movie based on actual events--or even, say, based on a novel you've read...that occurs when you suddenly come across a scene, a character, a plot line--anything--that reveals to you that the writers have taken tremendous liberties with the story (you know, that point where you literally blurt out, "Wait a minute, that's not how it really happened...)

Well, for several years now, I've had that feeling as I watch our country discuss the immigration "crisis." I place "crisis" in quotes simply because I don't think most illegal immigrants represent a crisis. Sure, Americans losing jobs is a crisis, and immigrant workers getting exploited is also a crisis, but immigration itself (including the illegal variety) is not a crisis...it's simply a necessary function of America's economy, but one whose actual system (bureaucracy and policy) is severely broken.

Yes, I did imply that illegal immigration is necessary (at least, it's necessary according to the way things are currently run). It's America's "dirty little secret." Truth is, we've always needed young, strong workers to fulfill some of the more grueling jobs in our economy (agriculture, construction, meat packing, service, etc.). The point is not that these are jobs Americans won't do, but that they are jobs Americans now refuse to do for the wage being offered...undocumented immigrants fill that gap (it's not in the best interest of American workers, of course, but it does keep businesses afloat--however unfairly--and it does keep prices down...I'm not saying those are suitable justifications, but they are very real consequences of our reliance on this workforce).

As for the current waves of mostly Latino workers entering our country, again, it's nothing new. We've had a long history of workers crossing the border from Mexico and Central American countries to take on seasonal agricultural work. In fact, during WWII (a previous time of war), this immigration was seen in positive terms. While most of our workforce was either fighting abroad or helping with the war effort, we established the Bracero program to make it easier for these temporary workers to cross back and forth between borders. That program was discontinued by the 60s, and current concerns over border security have lumped these workers in the same category as evil-doing terrorists.

Of course, you can look at it from a purely numbers standpoint:

The government still has a program for allowing season workers in--it's called the H2-b work visa). Every year, the U.S. makes 66,000 of these visas available.While that might seem like a lot, the actuality is that up to half a million undocumented workers enter--and find jobs--in America each year! Clearly, our immigration policy does not accurately reflect the demand or the supply for this laborforce.

But, of course, any reasonable discussion of our immigration system would take a major re-adjusting of the lens. We need to stop seeing these people as a threat, stop seeing them as criminals, start seeing them as a part of our society, and start figuring out ways that best utilize their skills without expoliting them.

For starters, that means less Lou Dobbs and more personal education. Reading up about immigration can be a nightmare--most sources are in constant spin mode. However, a site like this one can provide you with some basic information about immigration numbers and trends.

Finally, I'd like to make one last appeal toward re-adjusting that lens, and this one is a purely emotional one. Check out this story about Orlando Castaneda. He's an undocumented immigrant (brought here by his parents when he was three), who actually fought for our country in Iraq. As the story says, he was assured that his service would put him on a fast track toward citizenship. Of course, when he got back, the only fast track it put him on was getting deported! Is this really how we treat our least fortunate? We'll let them die for us, but when they're among us, they can only stay in the shadows?

Okay, I said that would be my last point...but I lied! (Speaking of lying, this provides me with a perfect segue)...

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in saying "Adios!" to Alberto Gonzales. When asked what was his fondest memory during his tenure as Attorney General, Gonzales brilliantly said, "I don't recall."

Seriously, it's perfect timing that Gonzales return to the headlines at this very moment I'm talking about immigration. One of my all-time favorite Gonzo clips is this stunner in which he uses his patented "I don't recall defense" to the question of whether his own family came here legally. Too bad the other 12 million undocumented immigrants don't get the luxury of "not recalling" whether they're here legally or not...sure would solve this immigration "crisis" once and for all!