What to do about immigration-both legal and illegal-has become one of the most controversial public-policy debates in recent memory. But why it has occurred at this particular moment is something of a mystery. The rate of immigration into the U.S., although high, is still below what it was even a few years ago, the peak having been reached in the late 1990's. President Bush first talked about comprehensive immigration reform almost immediately after assuming office, but he put the plan on hold after 9/11 and only reintroduced the idea in 2004. Why the current flap?

Click for Article - Copyright Commentary Magazine July-August 2006

Here I Stand 

On May 25, I wrote a column entitled "Latino Fear and Loathing" that has provoked considerable anger and recriminations among my fellow conservatives. In the column I asserted that, "Some people just don't like Mexicans - or anyone else from south of the border," and described some of the fears shaping these sentiments: "They think Latinos are freeloaders and welfare cheats who are too lazy to learn English. They think Latinos have too many babies, and that Latino kids will dumb down our schools. They think Latinos are dirty, diseased, indolent, and more prone to criminal behavior. They think Latinos are just too different from us ever to become real Americans." I said that those holding these views constituted less than ten percent of the population - an extrapolation of attitudes on race from several studies done over the years.

On May 25, I wrote a column entitled “Latino Fear and Loathing” that has provoked considerable anger and recriminations among my fellow conservatives. In the column I asserted that, “Some people just don’t like Mexicans — or anyone else from south of the border,” and described some of the fears shaping these sentiments: “They think Latinos are freeloaders and welfare cheats who are too lazy to learn English. They think Latinos have too many babies, and that Latino kids will dumb down our schools. They think Latinos are dirty, diseased, indolent, and more prone to criminal behavior. They think Latinos are just too different from us ever to become real Americans.” I said that those holding these views constituted less than ten percent of the population — an extrapolation of attitudes on race from several studies done over the years.

-----Original Message-----

From: Dan Stein [mailto: 'Dan Stein']
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:41 PM
To: Linda Chavez
Subject: Re: my column

Well, as you know Linda, I've always had a great deal of respect for you, and I admire you in a many, many ways. I was wrong to re-raise that issue with you. But I do believe that the immigration laws of this country are as important as any other law, and just because an individual can claim economic betterment by breaking them doesn't give a person the right to enter illegally.  This seems to be a huge dividing line in this debate. Many elites don't think "immigration law" is "real law," kind of like speeding. There are real class divisions growing in America, and the current debate is highlighting them. I am concerned about the future stability of this society of the social and economic trends continue. Some level of income disparity is to be expected -- its the price we pay for freedom. But the disparity is growing at an alarming rate, and I see immigration as fitting into this in many ways.

This monograph includes several articles by experts on both sides of the issue. It covers the economic costs and benefits of immigration as well as the cultural aspects and effects of current policies. The book also includes The Index of Leading Immigration Indicators, a user-friendly compilation of statistics on immigration.

DANIEL W. SUTHERLAND IS A LEGAL SCHOLAR WITH THE CENTER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF LAW