Friday, August 8, 2014

Issue 397 Should Illegal Border crossers be Punished? August 8, 2014


This is a quandary for libertarians.  We value the law, but generally believe in the idea of open borders.  While we recognize the security situation of fighting terrorism and thus needing some way to keep track of those who come into the country, we want people to still be able to cross the countries border and live here as citizens.  As such, many libertarians like myself have changed our opinion on open borders to one of a controlled entry so that terrorists and drug smugglers cannot get in, and so we do not cause an economic burden to our own country.  Thus the debate on how to deal with those who have crossed our borders without permission.  How are libertarians and the rest of our fellow citizens supposed to deal with this issue?

Idea 1:  The first idea is an economic penalty.  This idea basically charges the individual a fine for crossing the border without permission.  Practically speaking it can work, but some of these migrants come over with nothing.  Thus the problem of actually collecting the fine.  With only one solution in mind to solve that problem, it would mean that the individual who has already broken the law would have to be able to stay in the country and find work to pay this fine and at the same time pay taxes.  This could result in people being homeless who may not even speak the language.  Plus we would still need to keep track of these individuals which is no easy task in a country with over 300 million people (with an estimated 11 million or more being here illegally).  So this idea has its ups and downs.

Idea 2:  Prison is another idea that has been floated around, but libertarians dismiss this idea as not only too harsh, but financially impractical.  Why on earth would you throw people into prison with the likes of murderers when they committed a nonviolent crime?  Plus, prisons are already overcrowded and expensive to operate so for libertarians, this is a nonstarter.

Idea 3:  Send them home!  This is the only practical idea that we all unfortunately have in our arsenal.  Yes, many of the individuals sent here at current are very young. In fact there is currently an explosion of illegal migrants under the age of 18 coming over the United States border which is now financially taxing our local communities.  Thus, for libertarians like myself, the only option is to send all the kids under 18 who came over without their parents back to their country of origin.  Those over 18 who are caught get a hearing and then are sent home if they cannot prove that their life is not in danger.  No other excuse will be accepted.  After that, they may be allowed to come to the country legally and only through legal channels.  If they violate this after they are sent home even once, they will be barred from the United States unless they get a written statement from their government certifying that they must come to the United States due to their life being in danger.  

We pay for this by charging the countries the cost to ship their citizens back home.  They will owe us that money and the United States can place duties and taxes on goods imported from those countries till such time that that debt is paid off.  They will also be allowed to pay this off by giving us natural resources or other forms of collateral of equal value.  Interest will not be charged so as not to make this a massive economic burden.  In addition, any illegal immigrant that has committed a crime will be charged at the federal level with the country of origin paying the court cost and incarceration costs as well.  This is to deter these countries letting their criminals leave for other countries to make it a financial burden on them instead.  Also, there will be no exceptions in criminal penalties for any crime committed either, if say an individual illegal migrant murdered someone in Texas and is found guilty, they will receive the maximum punishment for their crime (execution in this case).  They will have only one chance to appeal and if that appeal fails, the individuals’ punishment will have to be carried out within one week of the final ruling.  Obviously I am citing the most extreme example, but criminal penalties for rape and murder cannot be weakened because of someone’s squeamishness.  And yes, the country of origin will pay the costs for their execution as well if it comes to that.


Conclusion:  You probably think I am cold hearted after reading this.  Well in truth, I want those who generally want to come here and live peacefully to come.  I just do not want people coming here and essentially spitting on the law that is meant to protect us from overpopulation, terrorism and economic collapse when the burden gets too much.  I want the poor, the tired and huddled masses because I know that they will value their freedom that comes with United States citizenship (something many of us born here now take for granted).  So when it comes down to it, please do not break the law by coming over without permission, but instead do it the right way and not spit on your forbearers who came here legally.

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