WV Farm Bureau Magazine August 2014 | Page 4

presidential paradigms Immigration Laws Should Be Enforced Charles Wilfong, President, West Virginia Farm Bureau Throughout history, countries failing to control their borders failed to survive. An invasion is currently taking place on the U.S. - Mexican border, and nothing is being done to stop it. The Obama administration is refusing to enforce U.S. border security laws. The consequences could be devastating. Many fear that the huge numbers of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. will, among other things, become voters who will perpetuate the welfare state mentality that is becoming more and more prevalent in our country. The president’s executive orders are creating much of the current problem. In 2012, he issued the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”, which delayed any enforcement action against underage illegal immigrants. This act, coupled with the perception of possible amnesty, has prompted the flood of children across our borders. Alarmingly, significant numbers of these children are believed to be gang members. These gangs are reportedly extorting money from the families of innocent children illegally crossing the border. In addition, border agents are sidelined from performing their jobs as they must supervise these children once they are taken into custody. There is also great concern that other unwanted individuals are also crossing into the U.S. - terrorists, drug runners and other criminals making this a real national security issue. Additionally, busloads of these illegal immigrants are being sent, unannounced, all over the country to communities ill equipped to handle the financial burden. Health concerns are also being raised, as reports of people infected with tuberculosis and other communicable diseases leak out to the media. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on August 1 to help address this issue. The bill would freeze see Wilfong, page 21 Setting the Record Straight on ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Fede Ʌѥ