LibertarianViewpoint.com

A friend of mine wrote an article the other day on his perspective of the immigration policy. He has given me permission to post the article here and so I decided to share it with you. I thought it might be a little thought provoking as to how to handle the problem.

From a Libertarian perspective, I view the problem as moot in terms of immigration. In terms of what our government does – well – that’s a different story. You see, to me, they have as much right to be here as any of us do. The real issue is not that they are here; the real issue is they are taking advantage of the government freebies.

If we remove the incentive of government handouts, there will be less people trying to come here illegally. If the numbers do NOT slow down, then who cares, they are supporting themselves and NOT sucking off of society. They have just as much right to a living as we do and if they are responsible for themselves then who am I or anyone else to say they cannot.

Read John’s article; see what you think and then comment accordingly.

Yours in Liberty

Immigration Policy, a Libertarian Perspective

by John R. Thompson

America is still the shining city on the hill of which Reagan spoke.  Tony Blair once quoted of America: “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in… And how many want out.”  Hundreds of thousands of petitions for immigration are received every month by the US Customs and Immigration Service.  This demand is indeed a poignant measure of American greatness.  Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Alexander Snitker knows that the freedom Americans enjoy is a magnet to the best and brightest around the world.  Snitker realizes that these highly skilled and productive people are a new infusion of blood, keeping the heart of our nation beating strong.

Snitker and the Libertarian Party know that people follow laws in part because the compliance cost is less than the penalty if caught.  Americans are well aware that upstanding individuals who abide by law are denigrated by those who would rather not follow it.  When those who break the law and enter the country illegally are given equal footing with those who follow the rules, it encourages others to do the wrong thing.

It is impossible to keep all people out with physical obstacles like fences and armed patrols, but the law can be a much more stalwart barrier.  The proper combination of incentives and penalties will work to increase compliance and reduce the number of illegal immigration attempts.  With policies that respect those who play by the rules and punish those who do not, those seeking the freedom of the United States will be more likely to follow the law.

Fences on the Rio Grande or Lake Erie will do nothing to bring undocumented people into compliance.  Once landed the illegal immigrant is typically left in the purgatory of a shadowy existence.  They live in a system that simultaneously rewards them with freedom from the hardships of a former life, but can often makes them a slave to the threat of an expulsion from Eden.  With over 10 million (by some estimates over 20 million) people living illegally in the United States, rounding up these lawbreakers and bringing them to justice is a Herculean task.  A task that Libertarians believe is better sought through voluntary means rather than force. 

Amnesty is not an option because the law must be respected.  Armed patrols asking for “papers” is not an America any of us would be familiar with.  If the government is overzealous in its pursuit of these illegal immigrants, they will slip further into the shadows, and innocent Americans will be harmed in the process.  Harassing Americans and infringing upon our rights in pursuit of illegal immigrants is unacceptable.  We cannot punish our own people for the actions of others.

Illegal immigration is a human rights tragedy brought on by the original sin of an undocumented entrance.  To end this tragedy illegal immigration must be constrained, and the incentives to attempt illegal entry mitigated.  The Libertarian Party supports conscientious immigration reform that is practical, punishes law breakers, mitigates human suffering, and protects the rights of law abiding citizens of America and from around the world.

America is still the dream of many and shining beacon of freedom.  Libertarian candidate for US Senate Alex Snitker will work for you to make sure it stays that way.