NPG Releases New President’s Column in Response to Influx of Central American Immigration

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The prevailing policy of 'catch & release' has turned even more acquiescent, becoming a policy of 'meet, greet, & accommodate.'

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) July 17, 2014

Due to Washington’s disorganized response to the current influx of illegal immigration from Central America, Negative Population Growth (NPG) has released a new President’s Column on July 17th highlighting how flawed legislation and an equivocal federal immigration policy have escalated this problem into a crisis.

In the online column, NPG President Donald Mann states: “Washington’s chronic unwillingness to control the southern border has gone from bad to worse. The prevailing indolent policy of ‘catch and release’ has turned even more acquiescent toward Central Americans, becoming a policy of ‘meet, greet, and accommodate.’ This approach redefines the border patrol’s mission from deterrent force to ‘Welcome Wagon.’”

Mann notes: “Congress is to blame for the loopholes in the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Since 2012, these gaps have triggered the surging northward flight of Central American families and unaccompanied youth. But the ease in which these immigrants enter U.S. territory – completely unopposed – highlights the chronic failure of Washington.” He also warns that Washington’s current plan “to add more immigration judges and attorneys to ‘speed up’” the deportation process will likely fail, citing an immigration court system which “abhors rapid, conclusive decisions.”

Mann instead suggests that the Department of Homeland Security implement strong deterrent measures, similar to those successfully utilized by the Border Patrol in 1993’s Operation Hold-the-Line. He explains: “The strategy of saturating preferred illegal crossing areas with prominently-visible agents was an immediate success.” Mann also offers additional strategies to inhibit illegal entry, such as supplemental National Guard and police forces, additional and strengthened border fences, and congressional expansion of immigration officials’ Expedited Removal authority.

Mann also warns against setting a dangerous precedent by “granting refugee or temporary protected status on the current wave from Central America – expected to expand to almost 150,000 in the coming year.” Instead, he explains, “U.S. leaders must stick firmly to the international principle that refugee and asylum relief is to aid those targeted specifically for persecution, not those suffering from generalized poverty and misgovernance.”

He concludes: “With over 80% of U.S. population growth now due to immigration – legal, illegal, and the American-born children of immigrants – we must act now. We must take action to slow, halt, and eventually reverse our population growth before it is too late. And curbing illegal entry across our southern border is essential to that process.”

Founded in 1972, NPG is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to educating the American public and political leaders regarding the damaging effects of population growth. We believe that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environment. NPG advocates the adoption of its Proposed National Population Policy, with the goal of eventually stabilizing U.S. population at a sustainable level – far lower than today’s. We do not simply identify the problems – we propose solutions. For more information, visit our website at http://www.NPG.org.

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