These raids, according to information released by the government about April 16, resulted in the arrest of 47 alleged leaders (mostly small operators) of a loosely connected human-smuggling chain dealing with only illegal immigrants from Mexico. In fact these human smugglers are like hydras and drug smugglers, you arrest some and others quickly fill the void. Like drug smuggling, the problem will continue unabated as long as there is a strong demand for the smuggler's services. Nevertheless, actions which lead to a reduction in immigrant smuggler activity, no matter how temporary, or which lead to an increase in the fee for smuggler services are of some benefit in the fight against illegal immigration.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Obama administration has done nothing to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to work and live in the U.S. In fact, it has gone in the other direction and is actively encouraging illegal immigration by completely decriminalizing living and working in the U.S. as an illegal immigrant. Today, the only illegal immigrants living here who are deported are ones who have been convicted of significant crimes here. The message to illegal immigrants is clear: if you can somehow get past the border area, you can stay and enjoy all the benefits of living here as long as you do not become a major criminal. As it is, at least half of our illegal immigrants are entering the U.S. legally (mostly at airports) from all over the world as visitors with valid visas and passports whose visitation time limits are ignored. And while being informally permitted to live and work here illegally, many immigrant couples have children here who are automatically legal citizens of the U.S. under our current law, thereby making their families eligible for a variety of welfare programs for low income citizens.
Like the raids on employers of illegal immigrants (see blog dated July 9, 2009 entitled "Kinder, Gentler Obama Immigration Policy") these one-time raids on smugglers are in large part politically motivated, trying to make it appear that the Obama administration is trying to do something about illegal immigration when in fact the opposite is true, they are more in favor of unskilled and little-educated illegal immigration than even the misguided W. For some rationale for the Obama immigration policy, which hurts our own poor who must compete with illegal immigrants for jobs and social benefits, see blog of October 2, 2009 entitled "The Elephants in the Democrats Back Room." In addition, Obama would like to appear tough on immigration to improve his chances of getting Congress to pass immigration legislation this year which contains some form of amnesty for most illegal immigrants.
