Apparently the U.S. is not the only country struggling with illegal aliens.

Al Jazeera reports that Russia will implement a ban to prevent foreign nationals from selling goods in the marketplace. Many of the targeted illegal foreign nationals come from China. The government hopes the ban will improve employment opportunities for Russian citizens.

In Russia, legal foreign nationals must renew documents a minimum of once per year and reapply for a new work visa. The maximum a foreign national may remain in the country on a work visa is 2 years. Workers must be tested for AIDS, Syphilis, Leprosy, TB and drug use. They may be required leave the country every 3 months but can not stay in the country uninterrupted more than 2 years.

Every foreign visitor must register with the local government agency. The fine for an individual failing to register with the local government is several thousand dollars. A worker who fails to comply with the rules will most likely be deported and placed on a black list to prevent further entry for several years. The fine for a business that employs a person who is not registered is $30,000 (800,000 rubles) per violation.

I wonder if any Russian oblasts allow an illegal to get a Russian driver's licenses or to vote in elections? Does Russia allow the children of these illegals to have unfettered access to public schools? I wonder if Russia has begun offering classes in Chinese to help these children succeed in school. Does the Russian government print materials in Chinese to ensure the Chinese can read the information? Can any illegal access health care?

The answers: No drivers' license. No voting. No Chinese spoken in the public schools. (There are English speaking schools, but parents make a contribution to send their children to these schools.) The government does not translate documents to help illegal foreigners. The illegal may get immediate care but without money will not have access to any sort of non-emergency care.

Russia faces a growing struggle with illegals and like the U.S. will be faced with difficult decisions about how to discourage illegal immigration while ensuring that legal immigration continues in a manner that aids the country.

Our goal should not be to emulate all Russian policies, but if Russia can find a way to track foreign workers, the U.S. shouldn't have a problem developing a comprehensive system as well. If Russia can hold people accountable, the U.S. should be able to hold people accountable. We like Russia, should not facilitate illegal migration.

The Russians are right to protect their culture and their language. Without a common language and an appreciation of common cultural goals (like individual freedom, property rights, religious freedom...) a country will weaken. As U.S. policy becomes more tolerant of people who don't want to assimilate into the American culture, it becomes increasingly vulnerable.

Americans need to protect our country from those who want to undermine our rule of law and our very existence. Increasing the penalties facing illegal aliens and the businesses that employ them would be a great place to start.