Let’s make sure we set the table appropriately: The U.S. currently grants citizenship to almost 1 million immigrants annually … legally. In addition, the U.S. issues over a million Green Cards (Lawful Permanent Resident status) each year. Sometimes those numbers are higher for both categories, sometimes they are lower. But generally speaking, we legally grant almost 2 million permanent status visas or citizenships each year.
Why is this important to note? Because these recipients wait years, and work through a long process, to earn their right to remain. They are sponsored by family, employment, humanitarian or other causes or situations. But they are joining the United States through appropriate means.
Let’s visit the current southern border situation: Around 4 million people have come across the southern border illegally since the start of the current administration. The policy of the administration is to NOT enforce laws in existence today, namely Title 8 US Code 1325 and 1326. Those would enforce initial penalties, possible imprisonment, and deportation. DHS is currently enforcing none of that, so the flood gates are open (and crossing are expected to DOUBLE again this coming week, as Title 42 is also retired – imagine those numbers?). For those of us in Colorado, we are replacing the population of the City of Boulder every 2.5 weeks. We will have completely replaced all of Colorado’s population by the middle of end of 2023. Every man, woman, and child. We would need to double every job in the state, every roadway, every power plant, every piece of infrastructure, every school, and every drop of our already-rationed water. That’s the impact we are just now starting to see, as the first 1,000 migrants have arrived and Denver has already issued a State of Emergency. Apparently, Denver can’t pull a “Martha’s Vineyard” move, and immediately ship the busloads off to the local military base, even though up to that point MV was touting their sanctuary status.
Bottom line: We can’t support this mass influx across the borders. We can’t support it in schools, in the labor market, in our welfare systems, etc. We can’t print money to magically make it all better, either. The over $6T printed in excess U.S. dollars thus far that has sent shockwaves around our economy and throughout global markets should be a good indicator of that, as well.
What does this have to do with California? Well, here are some stats in Governor Newsom’s world: Over 300,000 people are fleeing the state annually now, a record. The state is already 45% Latino, not including the illegal influx; and the Latino population is pushing back hard on these policies in polls over the last 24 months. California has the highest rate of income and sales taxes in the country (e.g., up to 13% income tax, for starters). California rates in the bottom 10% of the nation’s schools. California (San Fran in particular) has the highest poverty crime rates in the U.S. LA County alone has seen a 94% increase in homicides in the last 2 years. California has a full 1/3 of ALL welfare recipients in the U.S. California has a full 40% of ALL homeless people in the U.S. California has 21% of the population below the poverty level. Over 40% of all illegal immigrants in the U.S. are in California.
But it can’t be all bad, right? After all, California has been the recipient of billions for the Federal Government; in fact, San Fran was recently bailed out by this administration with almost all of their $650M deficit wiped out as part of the $2T “Covid Relief” package (remember, this administration is also currently continuing to bail out union pensions as well, like the $36B one announced again last week). Well, now that Newsom and state legislators are working on reparations packages (current discussions are hovering around $200K per person that can prove slave descendants), several Cali cities are also working on guaranteed income packages (around $1000/month). All this, while Cali is facing a $25B budget shortfall. Are they hoping for another Federal bail-out?
What’s the point to take away tonight? Simple: The economic and social mess that is ever-increasing in California will spill out to the rest of the states. With fentanyl and meth pathways coming across the border today, while the death rates from users are over 100,000 per year, the crime associated with that trafficking is also on the rise. This is a dangerous place for us to be in today; we need absolute and decisive control of the southern border, enforcement of already-standing laws, a move away from ridiculous conversations that only appease the loud voices in the room (but almost always not the majority voices); a justice system not hobbled by District Attorneys that downgrade crimes and release offenders, only to prey on their victims again, etc. We need a return to a normalcy that does exist, is accepting and non-discriminatory, but also focused on rule of law number 1: Ensure the safety and well-being of your citizens first and always.
