by Crane Durham

Stephen Colbert’s Testimony before House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law was, at times amusing. However, the venue for it was infuriating.  Considering the fact that the overall issue of illegal immigration is costing not only resources, but lives of citizens, perhaps congress should be interviewing actual experts?  Regrettably, they got a political satirist engaging in over the top characterizations of migrant farming replete with the ubiquitous claim:  These are jobs Americans wouldn’t do; the migrant workers are mere victims of the exploitive, American capitalist system.   

It should be noted, there are victims of illegal immigration, mainly the rule of law, state budgets and lives.  What the comedian and others may want to recognize is:  All of us appreciate the desire to leave Mexico and come to America, especially now when it is in the midst of a narco civil war.  The issues or challenges are: How do we deal with people who continue to come here illegally and what do we do with the 20 million illegal aliens already here?  I believe Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies has proffered the best solutions to these questions.  Nevertheless, there is still wide spread disagreement across the country and within our Congress. Unfortunately, in politics, often times principled disagreements breed obfuscation and demagoguery; is having a political satirist testify bringing clarity to the debate?  I suggest congressional leaders dispense with the comedic side shows and get on with a fact-based, constitutionally sound discussion.