BEHIND IMMIGRATION RHETORIC IS COMPLEX SET OF PROBLEMS

An interesting article by Cynthia Tucker on recent immingration policies in the U.S.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., wants to overturn a century of constitutional consensus that grants citizenship to all who are born in the United States, regardless of their parents' immigration status. He and his ilk have already pushed through a provision that makes it virtually impossible for states to issue drivers' licenses to undocumented workers.
In Georgia, Republican legislators have proposed a bill that would prohibit illegal immigrants from attending state colleges and universities. Never mind that those who are bright and resourceful enough to complete college would make excellent candidates for citizenship.

A ban on college is not really intended to curb illegal immigration, any more than a prohibition against drivers' licenses. Those proposals are intended, instead, to whip up the emotions of those Americans frustrated by the demands of an unacculturated underclass and resentful over the pace of demographic change.
If Tancredo and his coalition were genuinely interested in restricting illegal immigration, they would target businesses -- construction companies, agricultural companies, poultry plants, janitorial companies -- that hire undocumented workers. The vast majority of Latinos who risk life and limb to get into this country are looking for better jobs. If employers risked jail, they'd stop offering jobs to undocumented workers. If the jobs were cut off, illegal border crossings would drop sharply.