President Obama on Illegal Immigration

Today, July 1, 2010, at American University School of International Service President Obama delivered one of the best speeches if not the best since taking office. It wasn't without typical mispronunciations and mixed-up word usage but it was excellent nonetheless. Addressing the problem of illegal immigration, the president recognized the real problem and offered some real common-sense sustainable solutions to the problem of illegal immigration.

After the customary dignitary recognitions which included well-known evangelical Bill Hybels and lauding his administration's "accomplishments" to date President Obama rightly affirmed that America was and is a nation of immigrants;

This steady stream of hardworking and talented people has made America the engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world

The President also accurately acknowledged that Americans have often been less than open to new immigrants "particularly in times of economic upheaval"

A century ago, immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Poland, other European countries were routinely subjected to rank discrimination and ugly stereotypes. Chinese immigrants were held in detention and deported from Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. They didn't even get to come in

President Obama admitted that the current system is "broke" and remains broke because of "political posturing and special-interest wrangling." There are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States. In an apparent break from typical liberal views, President Obama said;

Ultimately, our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and set laws for residency and citizenship. And no matter how decent they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million who broke these laws should be held accountable

Obama conceded, as we all should, that granting amnesty to current illegals would be a travesty to all Americans as well as all current and future legal immigrants in line for entry. It'd do nothing except encourage more illegals. At the other end of the spectrum we all know that rounding up and deporting 11 + million people isn't logistically or economically feasible. To that end the President said;

We have to demand responsibility from people living here illegally. They must be required to admit that they broke the law. They should be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine, and learn English

You read correctly; "learn English." It's about time the President of the United States affirmed our English language and demanded that immigrants learn it. We'll see.

President Obama continued by declaring that immigration reform must include finding and punishing businesses that hire illegals, that the current "creaky system" must be overhauled, and our enforcement policy must be, well, enforced; right now.

Obama closed with the standard, and appropriate;

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. Thank you

Now, in the President's speech it's easy for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike to find nit-picky minutiae to harp on but the principles that every American can agree on are there. Those are what everyone should grab hold of and run with. If our people and politicians can learn to grasp and work with principles then and only then will this country be and remain on the road to greatness.