Speech #990183185

I think this issue was put forth very well in a letter to the editor of the New York Times on April 29. 1986. This letter was sent by the chief patrol agent of the San Diego sector of the U.S. Border Patrol. and he said: While Congress struggles with the issue of immigration reform. the greatest surge of humanity ever seen along our southern border is now clamoring to enter through our "back door." Here in the San Diego Border Patrol sector. with 66 miles of border responsibility. our apprehensions over the last six months (October to March) have risen by an incredible 48 percent over the same period a year ago. More than 270.000 illegal entrants were arrested. Of those illegal aliens. 6.500 were not from Mexico. representing 55 other countries. In the first 17 days of April. we are averaging 2.451 arrests a day. a rate that will lead to more than 70.000 arrests for the month. Were encountering an average of one illegal alien every 35 seconds here in San Diego County. We know that were locating at best. about half the flow of illegal entrants. The rest are making it past us. soon to join their compatriots throughout California and the rest of the country. How long Is America willing to endure the insanity of a generous legal immigration process being totally negated by illegal immigration? Do we truly have to absorb the worlds surplus populations until we become like the thirdworld countries from which they come: overpopulated. with our resources depleted and with massive unemployment? Here in California. home to the highest number of illegal aliens in the country. our own Congressional delegation cannot agree either on the need for. or the measures to achieve. immigration reform. I look at the thousands of people massed along just 12 miles of our border each night. waiting for darkness to conceal their northward trek. and I ask. "Why?" Why. my fellow Americans. are we so apathetic? Dont we realize whats happening?