[Recently by Donald A. Collins: Katrina Exposed Poverty, Problems—And Folly Of Importing Millions More Aliens]

The fact that the European Commission recently asked European nations to adopt common rules across the Continent governing the return of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers to their home countries represents a giant recognition by European leadership that immigration into Europe is–as in the United States–out of control.

Stories about problems with illegal aliens all over Europe abound. The recent London bombings doubtless are at the root of the action. The International Herald Tribune recently reported that

"European Union's justice and home affairs commissioner, Franco Frattini, said the common rules would help the union return more of the 650,000 illegal immigrants who were ordered to leave last year. About two-thirds of them avoided expulsion and stayed in the union. Such rules would also bring to an end the sharp divergence of standards between countries, which encourages immigrants to move around Europe seeking the safest haven."[EU-wide rule sought on illegal immigrants, By Graham Bowley International Herald Tribune, September 2, 2005, also NYT]

However, this same article suggests that the concern for human rights upon returning aliens will possibly trump concern over terrorist entries.

"Mr. Frattini indicated that he was open to such bilateral agreements to guarantee good treatment of those immigrants who are returned home.'It is a good step forward, but I believe Europe should be the main actor in reaffirming the policy of human rights.'"

Further the Commissioner argued that "the measures were not drawn up to counter terrorism in Europe, though he believed they could help countries in their renewed antiterrorism drive following the London bombings."

But British Prime Minister Tony Blair "has said that he is prepared to withdraw Britain from the European human rights legislation if this blocks his plans to export Islamist extremists."

Now back to the US, where events following Katrina on the Gulf Coast point out vividly and urgently the plight of many urban poor, unable to deal even with the basic needs of life.

New Orleans pictures on TV seem like Third World images. Our national media now discloses the extent to which our own citizens are left outside the mainstream while we allow a continuing flood of illegals across our borders.

Even some politicians who have been avid open border advocates, such as New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson, are realizing that their constituents of every ethnic origin are besieged, at risk, and getting angered into action. The successes of the Minutemen vigils surely aren't overlooked.

Richardson is the same guy, who since taking office in 2003, signed legislation to allow illegal immigrants to get a driver's license in New Mexico and for children of illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state college tuition.

But now, at least according to NPR on September 3, he is willing to use the term "illegal aliens" and recognize following a visit to a town meeting in Deming that he might have been wrong.

At that meeting, ranchers talked about immigrants and drug smugglers crossing their property, causing fence damage and cattle deaths by frightening livestock away from water tanks.

The police chief in the tiny border town of Columbus had even been shot at, according to the Governor:  "It was spontaneous based on what I saw at the time—a very violent criminal situation at my border affecting the lives of my constituents."

Hey, that's a big step, knowing who he works for!

Richardson is running for reelection in 2006, so maybe this is a conversion of convenience. But his Democratic party must be realizing that the huge head of steam of Republican support for sterner immigration policies suggests reform is the right side to be on.

Even safe district leaders like Open Borderist, House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, will hear more and more from angry Californians who have seen their state's public services ravaged by the illegal invasion.

Both in Europe and in the United States, there are going to be no excuses for politicians who have for too long hidden behind their desks in fear of being called racists.

Now, with the combined force of diminished public services and the threat of more terrorism coming home, immigration reform is coming. But probably not fast enough to foreclose numerous additional problems and other terrorist attacks.

We have often spoken of the power of the ballot box if only enough citizens perceived the crisis. Finally that day may be at hand.

Border control is the urgent first step in reform progress, followed by proper ID, and employer sanctions that sting.

Fix it, Pols, or you are OUT.

Donald A. Collins [email him], is a freelance writer living in Washington DC and a former long time member of the board of FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform. His views are his own.