First off, you’ll need to appropriate some land. About 2,500 square miles, or about twice the landmass of Rhode Island, should do it. It’s up to you as to whether you take this away from states in one area of the country, or divide it between east and west. It should be within the lower 48 states, though, as this will aid in logistics later on. The area, or areas, should be completely surrounded by sovereign US territory, though. We need total control of the landmass, all roads, etc. I know this sounds like a radical first step, but we’ve done it before. I’m sure someone took notes.

So, the next step is a bit dicey. “Forced migration” can have such an ominous ring to it. But, we offer all illegal immigrants in the US a choice, move to these (I’m going to assume from here on that we go with the two-area solution) zones, or leave the country immediately. I’m not saying we just bundle people on to trucks and drive them away, but we come up with a plan to induce them to relocate. One possibility is to issue national IDs and institute enforcement measures and random paper inspections. These IDs would then be required for obtaining government services (welfare, education, health care, the post office, etc.) I have no doubt that this idea will initially send the conspiracy nuts into a tizzy, but I’m solving the immigrant problem, so maybe we can make a deal. So, we use the military and local law enforcement to relocate all remaining illegals into these two areas. (Presumably, quite a few will choose to flee the country once they hear the plan, so we should have room.) They’ll figure it out. Again, we’ve done it before, so we should be able to dust off the old plans.

Those are the toughest parts, really. Next on the list are population and border control. As I said, we maintain total control in this regard. Once settled, we need to make it a practical impossibility for anyone to leave. If someone elects to leave the zone, they cannot enter the United States at all, they must travel directly to another country. Once they leave, of course, they are not allowed to return. Our way or the highway, doesn’t matter if they leave family behind, etc. Speaking of highways, we’ll have to establish more border posts on any road leading to these areas. For our own security (there are going to be some angry people living in these areas) we’ll need a separation barrier. But, rather than the usual chain link and barbed wire, to help enforce to border crossings, I say we build a literal wall right around the whole area. Something around 20-30 feet high, periodic guard towers, solid concrete. We literally steal the horizon from them, hide the outside world from them, box them into an open-air cell.

Obviously, you probably won’t have chosen to give up any of the nation’s better arable land, so we’ll likely have to supply food to them in some limited way. I’m not saying we need to give them fully stocked grocery stores or anything, but we’re not granting them the freedom to run a successful economy of their own, thus we’ll be in the charity business. So, nothing extravagant, or luxuries, for import, basic necessities only. I’m sure H&HS will have numbers at the ready on minimum caloric intake, etc. that we can use to determine how much food we have to provide to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

We’ll have to be diligent to ensure that these areas don’t start thinking of themselves as autonomous or sovereign. They’re on our land, and we can take it back whenever and however we want. To enforce this principle, I suggest allowing US citizens to reclaim small areas of the land each year, call it manifest destiny or some such. We don’t establish treaties or agreements with them about the land, that got us into trouble last time. We can cut them some deals on supplying natural resources, but they’ll be largely severed from our economy, so they really shouldn’t benefit from it either. Remember, it is our right to choose not to engage in economic relations, or to give economic assistance to the other party in a conflict.

If they are able to develop some exportable goods, they can trade with the US and other nations, but only through our control. We collect the taxes and tariffs on their trade and hold back any, or all, monies we feel we are owed for the benefits we provide them. We likewise control any and all imports. If you do choose to grant them access to the sea-lanes, we’ll have to task the Navy with ensuring that they don’t use the sea for their own benefit. We can blockade their seacoast for our security, but also as a measure of economic warfare. Remember, they’re not our friends; they were invaders on our land. We control their airspace and determine what level or air traffic, if any, is allowable. We will likely want some of our work force back, so we may be forced to consider allowing furloughed entrance into the US for day labor, but I’m sure our prison systems can provide us some insight on how to use and control prisoner labor.

Now, I can see the look on your face. You think this idea is crazy, inhumane even. I haven’t even raised my ideas about arbitrary arrests, chemical weapons and humiliation as methods of population control. But you’re probably thinking that our democracy, our freedom-loving people would never allow these conditions within the US. You’re right, of course.

So, I would like you to think these suggestions over as you travel to Israel next month. When you visit Yad Vashem, or the Old City of Jerusalem, ask for a pair of binoculars and look southeast towards Abu Dis or north towards Bil’in. You probably won’t be able to see them, the separation barrier will be in your way, but they’re there, as are their people. When you receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction and attend the state dinner afterwards, ponder what your meal would be like if you were being held to a minimum calorie count. Consider how your own people would react if we were forced to dig tunnels, and risk our lives, to smuggle in food and medicine. Imagine if we were subjected to an arbitrary blockade of our ports, simply because someone didn’t like us. How would we respond?

Do you think Americans would accept the idea of our military using chemical weapons against civilians? Of our police forces arbitrarily arresting people in the night and holding them without trial? How would your citizens respond if you attempted to institute any of the suggestions I have made above?

Ponder this as you travel throughout Israel, and during your ridiculously brief visit to the West Bank. Consider that the above is a very simplistic way of describing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The reality there is far harsher. Consider that I have actually quoted Israeli leaders and their justifications for the above human rights abuses. Can you find the quotes? Do they bother you? Or will you simply smile, receive your accolades and continue to practice that most American trait of ignoring that which you find uncomfortable in the world?

Your time is now Mr. President. How do you want to be remembered?

By Ted Graham, Aslan Media Columnist

*Photo Credit: phogel