We should get rid of illegal aliens.

My opponent feels that we need to shoot and kill anyone crossing the border illegally. I don't think I need to respond to this, since no serious official has or ever will suggest such a policy. My opponent lists a number of short term solutions, some of which may help (in the short term), some of which don't make very much sense. I will mention them below: "1. Check the schools- many illegals put their kids into school because these days it is illegal to ask for a social security number. Get rid of that stupid law and check for anyone without a ss number. They are illegal." >> This is a short term goal that does not seem as though it would be very successfull in the long run. Illegal immigrants would get around this by merely not sending their children to school. This would be harmful overall because on top of being illegal and not being able to work legitimate jobs, they will be uneducated and thus more likely to become violent criminals. "2. Impose a flat tax- This means legal, illegal, criminal, rich person, or middle class, you pay taxes. Get rid of all of the other taxes and make this- every time you buy something, you are taxed. Simple. Effective." >> Such a tax is already in place to a smaller degree than my opponent seems to be suggesting. Changing the entire tax system because of illegal immigrants is illogical. Other reasons for changing the tax system may be meritted, but are irelevent to this debate. "3. Arrest any illegals for 3+ weeks (then deport)- To deter them from coming back." >> I addressed this in R2. This costs tax payers money for their time imprisoned. This is also only another short term solution. The cost to detain and deport illegal immigrants is simply not worth the burden to citizens. This is especially so since, alone, it would not prevent people from returning. "4. Any with criminal record: jail them- They want to run away from their home government, fine. Try us and you'll get tried. In a court. With a jury." >> As mentioned in R1, I agree with jailing and/or deporting violent criminals. "5. Plant an impenetrable wall of cacti at the border (not joking)- If you get stuck, you stay stuck. They would die on the border fence and not get over. Failing this, shooting anyone that hops over works just as well." >> This plan is just absurd from all angles. The cost of building such a barrier would be tremendous, if it were even possible. As with all plants, Cacti need enough space to grow properly. Not only that, but without round the clock surveilance people could just destroy the plants, clearing the way to cross. As for round the clock surveilance, I think it is safe to assume that no one wants to pay the huge sum that would entail. >> My opponent then cites his mother's difficulty in achieving legal citizenship as compared to the (relative) ease of illegal immigrants waiting out amnesty. It is unfortunate that such a system exists that favors illegal immigration, but that does not mean it is necessary to deport all of them. As I have repeated often in this debate, a more efficient long term goal is needed before we start deporting them, or else deporting them will be in vain (since it will not curb the flow of immigrants). >> I would also like to note that my opponent did not present any sources or evidence for the claims he made in R2 for which I asked. We must now assume that they are false. "If we let them all become Americans, and Obama gets his National Healthcare Plan through, we have to pay for all of these unworthy American people." >> What makes them 'unworthy'? Furthermore, what makes you 'worthy'? "Here is another thing to consider- once these "immigrants" (criminals) become older, they have no pension etc.- the poverty rate in the US rises, and there starts another economic crash (not directly) and we have a second Great Depression." >> I don't think very many people would agree with your conclusion that illegal immigrants would be the sole (or even a meaningful) contributing factor of a "Second Great Depression". "It is not our job to fix the economies of the world (like Mexico) and whenever we do, we get slammed two years later for trying." >> I never claimed that it was our job or duty to fix the economies of the world. I pointed out that it was within our best interests that the Mexican economy be strengthened. Helping to strengthen it would reduce the number of immigrants to America, since there would be plenty of jobs in their own nation. Conclusion: I think it is quite clear who should win this debate. My opponent offered no rebuttals to my long term solution. Indeed, he offered no long term solutions at all. If we were to merely remove all illegal immigrants, as Pro contends, the problem would only be delayed a few years until we had to pay for their removal once again.