Arizona v. Illegal Immigration

July 26th, 2010

The new Arizona state immigration law has been likened to a standoff by local writer David Gerard in his recent column on MuskogeeNow.com. I read this column with great interest because what is happening in Arizona is very important to the rest of us. The decisions made by a federal judge will have a lasting message as to the importance of state rights versus federal responsibility.

I agree with David that the protection of our national borders is the federal government’s responsibility as I understand the Constitution. I also agree with David that the feds aren’t doing this job well, if at all.

Arizona officials and their supporters say the law is needed so that Arizona can maintain order within its borders from foreign sneaks, a job delegated by the Constitution to the federal government, but one the feds aren’t doing well or at all.

These get-tough-on-immigration officials would normally stand for a strict reading of the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, but when it comes to illegal immigration, their attitude is hang the Constitution and illegal immigrants.

It is also true that, during this recent economic crisis, it is very easy to blame the lack of jobs on illegal immigrants. Yes, some jobs are being taken by illegal immigrants who employers (illegally) pay under the table; and, yes, most of these jobs are undesirable to Americans. (We DO have standards, you know.) Even though our economic crisis is NOT because of illegal immigration, they don’t help the situation, either.

Illegal immigrants do take away from citizens in the way of jobs, social services, unpaid taxes, housing and more. Most illegals drive without licenses or insurance. Since Arizona didn’t see the feds doing their job, they decided to do it for them. I don’t agree with all the aspects of the law, especially with the part that says if an officer has a reasonable suspicion someone might be here illegally, they have the right to stop and check. But, as part of other enforcement action, i.e. a traffic stop, response to a call, etc., the officer should have the right to verify a person’s identification, as well as immigration or citizenship status.

While the border between Mexico and the US has always been ‘porous’, as David Gerard puts it, is no reason to leave it that way. If the feds don’t want Arizona doing their job for them, then they need to step up and do it. Illegal means against the law. If I do something illegal, I will face the consequences. Illegal immigrants are here against the law, they should face the consequences. I am not against legal immigration, I am against illegal immigration.

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