The Problem with Giuliani on Immigration

Rudy told small business owners that illegal immigrants are a Federal problem and not a city or business problem. The method that Rudy would use for controlling illegal immigration is to finish building the fence and issue "tamper proof" ID cards to legal immigrants. Specifically he argued against the approach of challenging cities, states and businesses to handle the immigration problem.

I call this the "Crunchy Outer Shell" security approach. You build a very strong outer shell of security and then do nothing about what is inside that shell (kind of like a chocolate covered cherry). Those who have experience with computer security realize that this is approach does not work. If the immigrant is able to pay someone to get him through the outer shell (get across the fence and purchase a "tamper proof" ID card (because none are really "tamper proof"), then they will have free reign to do whatever they want inside the US.

You MUST have a combination of a secure border as well as making sure that once an illegal is inside the US that they have problems getting jobs and services. Anything else is doomed to failure. Building the fence is simply the first step. Then you have to start dealing with what is going on inside the border.

Rudy's approach is irresponsible. It is also pandering.