With both Republicans and Democrats demagoging the immigration issue leading up to the 2010 midterm election it is becoming more and more likely that Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) will again fail to get out of Congress.  

Fortunately there is a solution that can work for the Obama administration, has high potential to solve the "illegal Alien" issue and can serve the Democrats well in the election.  President Obama should begin immediately to negotiate a bilateral treaty on migration and border issues with President Calderon of Mexico.  READ MORE

As the immigration debate heats up again the ugly slogan "Which part of ILLEGAL don't you understand?" is being asked again.  My friend Gene B suggested the counter phrase: "Which part of FREEDOM don't you understand?" 

I had this exchange with an angry person.  I believe I lost my temper.

Marsha E. wrote "What part "of ILLEGAL do you NOT understand.?????
Most American are against ILLEGAL Immigration....not legal immigration.

 In his immigration speech on Thursday President Obama should have said that it is time for America to decide. 

We cannot be both a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the world and an armed camp manning the barricades against all comers.  

Dr Harry Binswager a leading Objectivist has written an excellent essay in "defense of phasing-in open immigration into the United States."

 He write in part: "An end to immigration quotas is demanded by the principle of individual rights. Every individual has rights as an individual, not as a member  this or that nation. One has rights not by virtue of being an American, but by virtue of being human."

You can read Dr Binswangers entire entire essay here

While arguing for the "right to migrate" as an ethical issue I have been disappointed by the lack of support from Libertarians.  

Tamar Jacoby who runs Immigration Works USA has published a very insightful op-ed in the LA Times .  In it she argues that if the federal government sues Arizona about SB 1070 they will polarize the country more about immigration and will decrease the chances of passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  She is right that if the administration wants to fix immigration they shouldn't sue.  But if they want to politicize the issue to energize their base then unfortunately suing is the right strategy.