Monday, June 24, 2013
Page 4
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GOVERNMENT
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Reform must reshape immigration policy
An immigration reform bill is being considered in the Senate, which is not the first time this has happened. The debate of who to let into America from foreign lands, and what privileges those immigrants would be given once in the country began in 1790, when legislation limited naturalization, or the ability to earn citizenship, to only white people who were not slaves. Our policies have continued to follow a trend of exclusion, where only those people considered beneficial for America, whether that be because of their skills or the color of their skin, would be allowed to enter the nation. Today the debate isn't about Europe or Asia, but about our country's next-door neighbor, Mexico. The issue of reforming
immigration across this southern border becomes more relevant as our nation swells with illegal immigrants, undeterred by legislation.
Speaker of the House John Boehner has said that there remain many objections to the bill, which is true. Like any sweeping reform, the devil is in the details. If we lower the restrictions to legally enter our country and gain citizenship, what happens to those who have entered the country illegally? Should we sanction the breaking of our laws, or should we only reward those who haven't tried to work around a system not in their favor? A larger concern may be numbers. If the reform passes, how many immigrants from other nations will enter the country? An issue many people have with immigration is the
concern of available jobs, housing schools, and government benefits. In order to pass reform legislation it should be more clear that we have the ability to provide for all of our citizens, and all issues should be resolved first.
Most opponents in congress have made the argument that immigration reform would be detrimental to the economy. However, new
analysis put out by the Congressional Budget Office indicates that the legislation would actually lower the deficit by 1 trillion dollars over 20 years, by providing the government with new taxpayers to boost revenue.
In addition, given the sheer amount of illegal immigration, it is clear that something must be done. The current system is broken, and allowing it to continue would be foolhardy. The United States is a country built with immigrants, newcomers to our country bring new ideas, innovations, and cultures.
Wefalf is a sophomore from Manhattan. Follow her on Twitter at @PegasaurousRex.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Ultimatum with Syria lacks thorough strategy
Earlier this month, the Obama Administration announced that it will be arming the Syrian rebels in light of new evidence that Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons against the opposition. The announcement comes to the consternation of 70 percent of Americans who view the decision as inappropriate, according to a new Pew poll. Their fear is not unwarranted. Arming the opposition is fraught with risks.
I am first reminded of when the United States armed the Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Dubbed "freedom righters" fighting against the evils of communism, the United States supplied weapons to the militant group who later went on to become the Taliban. Indeed, the risk of U.S. weapons falling into the wrong hands is particularly likely considering the fragmentation of the movement. Because the Free Syrian Army is not well unified, after the
war, members will likely fight in factions. Not to mention risk of the rebels turning on the U.S. and further undermining our efforts in the Middle East while giving rise to new Al-Qaeda safe havens.
Furthermore, the support from the administration is lukewarm at best. The administration says it will supply "small arms and ammunition." Pea shooters and bullets. Anti-tank weaponry might also be included, but it likely won't be enough to break Assad's monopoly on coercive force. Evidently, the
U. S. only wants to dip its toes in militarily, probably to avoid showers of scorn from its war-averse public. Unfortunately, nebulous statements and vaguely defined goals will accomplish neither. Considering the recent losses on the rebel side, at best, the weapons will slightly tilt the power dynamic and create a deeper stalemate.
And while that stalemate festers, Russia's patience with the United States will wither and fray. No doubt, Russia, who has been supplying Assad's forces with weaponry, has already raised objections to the decision. Sending weapons to the rebels enters the US into a proxy war with Russia by challenging the Kremlin's collusion with Assad's regime, freezing the fragile reset between the two nations.
The rationale behind the move (weapons of mass destruction) is eerily similar to the pretext used to justify U.S. involvement in Iraq. Regardless, Obama must honor his
"red line" ultimatum. Perhaps what is crucially missing in Obama's strategy, is, well, a strategy. There needs to be a clear prospect for what is to be achieved by taking military action in Syria. As it stands now, the decision appears to be inadvertent, which will surely embroil the president in further criticism.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Syria, the president has no easy way out. If I may argue counterfactually, Obama should never have drawn the red line in the first place. Making ultimatums such as these have little purpose in the international community because the U.S., as it stands, lacks the clout to intimidate its foes using words, and as evidenced by the war-torn region, neither do our bullets.
Ashley is a sophomore from Topeka. Follow him on Twitter @punchnekween.
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