Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez made some sound points in a "state of immigration" address today. He noted:

The New York Times ran an article with the headline “Shortage of Labor to Cut Food Supply: Farmers, handicapped by lack of help, reduce their crop acreage.”

That article ran in 1920. Coincidentally, that was amidst one of the worst anti-immigration waves we have ever had.

Probably not-so-coincidentally, in fact. Gutierrez went on to say:

A comprehensive solution remains the best and most long-term option—without it we’re getting a piecemeal approach to a national issue. For example:

• In 2007, states enacted 240 immigration laws—up from 84 the year before.
• Immigration is being debated in every capitol in the country.
• A total of 1,562 immigration bills were introduced last year.

This patchwork of laws is untenable in the long-term.

Unfortunately, we're probably stuck with the crazy quilt for the year; as the Associated Press noted in a story yesterday, it's the third rail of the 2008 campaign, even as Barack Obama and John McCain try to win Latino votes.

As for the newest patch in the quilt, Homeland Security is planning more "virtual" fences -- you know, to avoid, along some select stretches of border, the more obviously unneighborly and medieval aspects of a real fence. But symbolism aside, there might be quite a few kinks to work out.