From The Seattle Times
By Froma Harrop

Just whom does the president think he’s kidding? This idea of sending thousands of National Guard troops to patrol the southern border is, in the words of Rep. Silvestre Reyes, Democrat from El Paso, “cheap political theater.” It lets Bush appear to be doing something dramatic about illegal immigrants without depriving American business of cut-rate labor.

Almost everything Bush has done about illegal immigration has been for show. Whenever public fever spikes over the issue, he beefs up the extravaganza at the border. The media run footage of peasants caught on their first or sixth try, lined up in handcuffs — and at least a few people think something’s being done.

The real frontline in illegal immigration is not the border, of course, but America’s workplaces. These are the factories, construction sites and restaurants that hire undocumented workers. The employers’ behavior is equally illegal, but note that the bosses walk free. In his Monday night address, Bush made only vague references to enforcing employer sanctions.

There’s one thing you have to say about Bush policy on immigration: It has been consistent. Whether through non-enforcement of employer sanctions or calls for temporary work permits, it ensures the continued flow of cheap labor. And whenever public anger demands a response, there’s a new plan that is specifically designed to fail.

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