I can't figure out what Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo is trying to prove. That he's the most mean-spirited and bellicose bully in Congress? That he's indispensable because he's an ardent and uncompromising protector of America's borders? That, therefore, we should forget about his pledge to serve only three terms in Congress?

What he's really showing is that he can't set priorities. He seems to think that forcing the deportation of a student and his family, here illegally like countless other people from around the world, is going to show America's determination to stop illegal immigration. He's wrong. Focusing scarce resources on one illegal kid in a time of recession and huge budget deficits only proves that Congressman Tancredo can't figure out what's important.

Sure, we're a nation of laws. Illegal immigrants have broken our laws. So has anyone who drives over the speed limit or lights up a joint. We're full of people who ignore our laws. We constantly give lawbreakers a second chance. If we didn't, our prisons would be even more packed than they are now. Our priority should be on locking up criminals and deporting illegal immigrants who are a real threat to our society.

But there's way more to this story. Illegal immigration is not just America's problem. Impoverished people from North Africa, Turkey and Eastern Europe flood Western Europe. Even China has 100 million "floaters", job seekers from the countryside illegally finding what work they can in the more prosperous cities. As long as there are a few rich nations and a multitude of destitute ones, desperate people trying to feed their families will pour into wealthy countries in hopes of finding jobs.

The problem of illegal immigration is much deeper than merely sneaking across borders and flouting laws. Until the developed countries start to deal with poverty and repression around the world, they will be deluged with those seeking freedom and opportunity. America was populated by people who fled famine, persecution and destitution. Why would we think the flow would stop now when population growth, harsh dictatorships, corruption and hunger create such misery for billions of human beings?

If Congressman Tancredo really wants to prove himself indispensable, he could push his colleagues and the Bush Administration to adopt policies aimed at raising living standards around the world. He could help relieve the causes of illegal immigration rather than just railing about the reality of it. Here are some possibilities:

1. Reinstate international family planning funding. Overpopulation is a threat to all of us, but especially to families in very poor countries.
2. Invest in agricultural research, particularly for tropical climates. Researchers are developing hybrid grains and fruits with higher yields and greater nutritional value. They need more resources to stay ahead of world hunger.
3. Focus U.S. foreign aid on providing education, basic health care and clean water to residents of poor countries so they can have the skills and stamina to be productive.
4. Put foreign aid and export subsidies into infrastructure projects rather than weapons proliferation in developing countries.
5. Promote access to technology and the training to use it. Telecommunications and the Internet open the world to ideas, skills and markets.
6. Provide incentives for multinational companies to help build entrepreneurship, civil institutions and sustainable economies in the countries where they work. It is no longer enough to provide short-term jobs that disappear when a mine closes or labor is cheaper elsewhere. Corporations must leave behind something of value.
7. Fight corruption that diverts money for improving the living conditions of destitute people to the pockets of crooked rulers.

He could show us that he wants to lead the fight against the causes of illegal immigration. Solving problems is a great American tradition. Being mean-spirited is not.