Frustration over illegal immigration is a kind of Catch 22. The Washington Post points out that even though funds for border patrol and its technology increased 1000 percent from 1986-2002; that is, from $150 million to $1.6 billion. Manpower increased threefold over the period. What once was three million illegals has increased to 12 million and still counting. The Post estimates $7.6 billion will be the projected cost by 2011 and some say as much as $30 billion. While immigrants keep coming over the border at the same rate, it appears likely that we can expect another 12 million to crossover.

It appears chasing symptoms rather than ferreting out causes—a dysfunctional Mexico and US hiring practices—there will be no easy solution as both sides of this issue is seen as either a cumbersome “comprehensive” policy or building a two thousand long wall. Then there is absence of Dutch Uncle diplomacy with Mexico to force the country to develop its resources and put millions to work there, not here by passing labor reform and granting free farmland. If this entails more foreign aid to Mexico, it is far better than wasting multi billions on virtual and physical fences.

Further, the labor department should do a thorough analysis of precisely how many Americans are unwilling to take on menial tasks and how many would if the pay scales were higher. Even more important is how many among the unemployed or unemployable are not willing. From the old days I understood that in order to earn payments under unemployment insurance one had to declare that he or she is “ready and willing to work.” This does not imply that an unemployed accountant should be willing to pick tomatoes but it does mean that an unskilled unemployed should. Moreover, the trend toward “choice,” planned parenthood and late marriages over the past forty years has contributed to labor shortages, not to mention the better educated being more selective in the labor market. Then it goes without saying that outsourcing and plant closings inevitably lead to a greater pool of temps and service workers and ought to be deployed in areas of the country where they are needed.

However, if in fact the need for ten or twelve million immigrants is indeed helping the nation, then outright amnesty—no strings attached—should be granted to those illegals gainfully employed. Provided we are serious about controlling our borders by setting up a barrier of fifty to seventy thousand national guardsman to show we mean business.