$3.7 billion: It's important to remember how border crisis began

It seems more than a little shocking that the Homeland Security chief is asking Congress for nearly $4 billion to fix a problem that never should have happened in the first place.

The thousands of women, children and unaccompanied minors who are flooding across this nation's southern border are not coming here on the chance that they might be able to stay.

They actually think they are going to be able to stay -- and to get benefits and health care.

And that is the critical error made by President Barack Obama and his administration of people who cannot seem to grasp the connection between statements made for political gain and consequences.

The message that has been sent by this administration is that the United States is considering amnesty -- and that illegal immigrants will find friends here.

And the consequences of that policy -- which seems awfully connected to a push for Hispanic voters -- have sent the message that the nation's borders are open.

Now, we have a problem -- one that is going to cost billions to fix, if it ever is fixed.

Does anyone really think that the immigrants who are released into this country with a court date will ever face a judge?

If so, you have not been paying attention to how immigration has been handled in this country for years. Many of these people are going to disappear. And in the meantime, we are going to pay the bills.

Something has to be done quickly about this crisis -- and it cannot be about partisan politics on either side.

For now, the bill is $3.7 billion to get this situation handled. Who knows what it will be six weeks from now if nothing is done.

We cannot afford to wait and see.

Published in Editorials on July 10, 2014 11:12 AM