Illegal immigration, the war in Iraq and the nuclear threat posed by Iran were foremost on the minds of the 60 or so residents who attended U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee’s Town Meeting April 20 at the Edmonds Library’s Plaza Room.
It was the third public forum — the others were held in Mill Creek and Redmond — Inslee, a Democrat, hosted over the Easter break.
Responding to questions about the illegal, mainly Hispanic workers in the U.S., Inslee said this country must figure out a way of protecting its security interests and exerting control over its southern border while juggling the need for the labor those workers provide.
“If those 11 million people left tomorrow, our economy is in the tank,” he declared. “We recognize the value of good neighbors who work hard, speak English, stay out of trouble and stay employed.” The U.S. needs some “reasonable program” that allows them to stay but is fair to those who are waiting to get into this country legally.
Offering an “explanation, not an excuse,” Inslee said federal immigration laws haven’t been enforced because the business community in Georgia “went nuts” over an attempt to crack down on illegal workers in the mid-1990s.
That raised the ire of two audience members in the construction trades. The pair, who declined to give their names, insisted something must be done to punish employers who hire illegal workers and profit from the low wages they accept.
“We are getting screwed on this deal,” declared one of the men, citing the drain on taxpayer-supported services, such as health care, for illegal aliens. “Turn off this electro job magnet.”
Of the war in Iraq, Inslee said “I was against this war from the beginning. Many, many mistakes by civilian (decision makers) have been made.” He said he favors doing “what’s likely to encourage … compromises made earlier rather than later” between the Sunii and Shiite factions.
“At some point,” he said, “Iraqis are going to have to decide their own destiny.” After three and one-half years of war, Inslee added, this is that time.
On Iran, Inslee said, “Iraq has hampered our efforts to deal with Iran. Plus, other countries don’t particularly want to work with us.”
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