“Operation Scheduled Departure” was a program rolled out by the Bush administration last month that encouraged undocumented immigrants to turn themselves in, in exchange for a 90-day period during which they could get their affairs in order before being deported. Sounds like a good plan, does it not? Imagine doing the same for common criminals: Please turn yourselves in and in exchange we’ll give you 90 days of freedom before you get your due punishment.
Turns out that of the 457,000 estimated undocumented workers that currently live somewhere in the U.S. eight (8) took advantage of the offer. That’s a “success” rate of 1 in 50,000. At least this Bush administration “idea” did not get anybody killed.
See today’s New York Times Editorial for more information. For a real scathing assessment of the entire Bush administration approach to the immigration issue read this piece.
My short take: Instead of finding a humane solution that would give the hard-working and generally underpaid immigrant workers that propel the service economy of this country a path to a legalized status, this administration is enforcing the current unworkable laws via arbitrary raids and forced deportations that tear families apart and create unnecessary human misery. Another reason to look for better leadership during the next election.
