L&T Publisher Earl Watt
It was a about 10 years ago when I was sitting in Ernie Schafer’s barbershop chair getting a haircut when we looked out the window to see a new business going across the street. It was a hair salon, something that might be considered competition for Schafer and his brother Rick, and that’s when I learned a valuable lesson.
“Do you know what an ugly business is, Earl?” Ernie asked.
“What?” I replied.
“An empty one,” Ernie said, and with that key bit of wisdom, there was a new perspective that we should all consider.
It’s not necessarily about the color of paint or the style of brick. It’s about creating jobs, providing a product or service and operating your own business.
The alternative was a building that would sit empty and unused, deteriorating and bringing the whole district down.
That conversation drifted to immigration, and Ernie’s same tidbits of wisdom were shared about that as well.
Are we going to be able to round up 15 million people who have found a way to stay undetected, some for decades, and deport them all?
No.
Are we going to just throw in the towel and not regulate the border at all?
Again, no.
The solution had to be somewhere in the middle, something that could have appeal to both sides of the issue rather than trying to only satisfy one side.
So we started talking about two main themes, what to do with those here, and what to do to prevent the illegal issue to continue in the future.
We picked different policies apart, challenged each other, and some ideas fell to the barbershop floor with the rest of my hair while others were honed and added to a proposal.
Those ideas made it to paper where we continued to shave here and add there knowing that some would complain no matter what was proposed, but we believed a proposal of some kind was needed.
After several meetings, and haircuts, we finally had a document boiled down to one sheet of paper, something that could be easily understood for anyone to read.
We believed that a community where immigration is a daily experience, one where the people have found a way to work together, should be the community offering a solution to this very complex problem that has stymied both parties for decades.
It’s a common sense solution that does not reward bad behavior but recognizes that we have allowed illegal immigration to become a significant issue.
We wanted to provide a solution that would require compromise on both sides, and we wanted to get it done before violence could break out.
Enforcing immigration policy isn’t new. I can remember in the 1980s federal buses that looked very much like the old yellow and black school buses would come to town, and a few undocumented people were removed. And that was when Liberal’s Hispanic population was very small back then, possibly 10 percent or less.
Border enforcement will continue under the current regulations until the law is changed.
That’s what we sough to do — rip off the band-aids and create a process that models the Homestead Act, but instead of providing land, we provide a residency option. It’s not amnesty because it is not citizenship. That process remains.
But it allows those here to have a path to remain here to live and work. It allows them to come out of the shadows. After a registration period, those who choose not to register get deported, no questions asked.
But for those who register, they can stay, work, follow the rules of the program, and after five years be able to remain as a legal resident without further requirements.
If they want to become a voter and enjoy full citizenship, they can follow that process, but this intermediary step allows those who are here a chance to stay here legally.
It’s not perfect. There is no perfect solution. But this at least find a middle ground where those who are here and not getting into any trouble can stay while simultaneously beefing up border security to prevent any future massive influxes that could overburden the system and result in massive social programs.
No benefits, no perks, just the ability to live and work here without the fear of deportation by following the rules of the program which can be seen on this page.
We can’t do this at the local level or state level. Only the federal government has authority on immigration policy.
I am hoping the Liberal, Dodge City and Garden City can unite behind the plan and seek additional supporters from across the state to compel our elected officials to take action on immigration reform.
I plan on scheduling a public meeting soon to try to build momentum behind a cure rather than constantly treating the symptoms.
Review the plan, and you will find something you like and something you don’t.
That’s what I believe makes it viable. Both sides can claim victory, even if not total victory, and we can put this very divisive issue. FEDERAL ACCESS IMMIGRATION REFORM (FAIR) ACT
This Act is designed to help build communities in the United States by providing a path to residency for those within the U.S. borders by requiring actions by those who seek residency but are undocumented by tearing down barriers that prevent them from participating with society as a whole and limiting the general population from interacting with its newest members of society. This Act reduces transiency, and like the Homestead Act, requires our newest immigrants to plant roots that will provide the reward of residency. At the same time, this Act will not apply to those who seek to violate the law, nor will it become a magnet for further illegal immigration by enhancing border security.
The purpose is to model a practical immigration policy after the Homestead Act in a way that provides the initial steps in becoming a citizen while protecting taxpayers of the United States. This will allow those in the shadows who truly want to be a part of the United States of America to come forward in a safe and legal way while addressing the concerns of a burdening entitlement system and to discourage future illegal immigration.
For those currently in the United States without proper documentation, the path to residency can be attained by doing the following:
1. Within 6 months of the passage of the FAIR Act, register at a participating county courthouse or online at the federal website, registrationact.gov, and receive a national identification card. This will entitle participant to gain employment and have registered legal status within the United States. Those convicted of felonies in the United States or facing criminal charges in another country are not eligible.
2. Remain a resident of that county for five years.
3. No public assistance during the five-year period or for any undocumented immigrant not participating with this Act.
4. Committing a felony criminal act will terminate participation in the Act.
5. Provide documentation every six months verifying residency in that county.
6. Transfers from one county to another must be approved by both counties.
7. Children in the education system will receive resident benefits after attending the school system for one year or
more.
8. English test must be passed during the five-year period. Classes will be available on line at no cost. Some communities will have free classes that can be attended.
9. All children born from undocumented parents will be able to remain with parents who register for this Act.
10. Any undocumented immigrants who do not register for this Act or who violate the requirements of this Act will be
deported.
11. Any current requirements for citizenship will also apply to this Act.
12. Anyone not complying with this Act and is not a citizen of the United States will be deported.
13. Convicted felons are not eligible for this Act.
14. Those participating in this Act will be protected by U.S. law with the exception of the restrictions in effect by this Act.
15. Any employers who hire workers that are not citizens of the United States or are not participating with this Act or
have other legal status, or who violate federal labor laws by hiring those who do not have legal status through this Act or other existing law will be subject to additional fines and possible loss of business licensing as set forth by Congress.
16. Identification must be produced when requested by local, state and federal officials.
17. When all requirements have been met, full legal status will be declared.
18. Any misuse of the national identification card will result in disqualification and subject to immediate deportation.
19. Any attempt to participate in the Act while attempting to maintain a second identity will result in immediate
deportation.
20. Border security will be enhanced with additional physical and electronic barriers, and additional registration agents
will be added to the border to help facilitate those seeking access to the United States with funding as set forth by Congress. Border security must be funded and enhanced, leaving no gaps along the southern border within five years of the passage of this Act or the Act is nullified and all further participation beyond that date will be nullified.
