Everybody wants to say that immigration reform is needed. But, like any other politically charged issue, that is all wimpy politicians will say. Most politicians won't venture to say how to go about reform for fear of offending certain populations. So it is safe and appeasing to state that reform is needed. It's also wimpy. And it shows lack of leadership.
Border states have been asking the federal government to do something about out-of-control illegal immigration for years. Hordes of non-taxpayers flowing into this country is bad for the economy. Add to that the money that gets drained from local and national resources through social programs, and you have major issues. Now, complete the equation with the network involved with smuggling millions of dollars of drugs across the border and the situation becomes downright dangerous.
Like I said, everybody knows this is a problem but most politicians don't want to take the next step: acting like the elected leaders they are and doing something about it.
I won't start throwing statistics out about how much money is spent on illegal immigrants every year, mostly because those numbers are inherently impossible to track. And besides, it isn't my point here.
My point is that I wasn't so sure about Arizona Governor Jan Brewer before. Now I am. She is a leader. Her state has a major problem. She asked for help. The help she received was a slap in the face. So she, along with other Arizona politicians, have decided to do what they can to fix the problem without the help of a federal government that doesn't (well, didn't) want to get involved. In reality, this isn't going to fix all problems associated with illegal immigration. But it is something.
And it is totally legal. Did anyone notice how the federal government first took aim at this bill by stating that it could result in racial profiling? That is what we call an attempt to sway opinions your direction. Apparently it didn't work because every poll I have seen (even polls done by liberal-slanted news sources) show Americans heavily in support of Arizona's immigration bill. So they changed their approach. Now the administration, after months of figuring out how to squash this (or, looking for ANYTHING they can possibly point at to claim the bill is illegal or unconstitutional), has decided to to sue AZ on the grounds that state law cannot take precedence over federal law in matters such as illegal immigration.
The irony is that the AZ law doesn't take any precedence that the federal law hasn't established. The AZ law is calling for enforcement of these laws. Well, the federal government knows this as well, which is why their whole selling point is this: Arizona's intentions are not the same as the federal government's. From the introduction to the suit:
The nation's immigration laws reflect a careful and considered balance of national law enforcement, foreign relations, and humanitarian interests... In administering these laws, the federal agencies balance the complex--and often competing--objectives that animate federal immigration law and policy.
So the federal government is worried that Arizona's intentions are to send illegal immigrants home simply because they are illegal, and the state will not consider the "balance" established by the federal government of "concentrating enforcement on the most dangerous aliens, protecting the rights of asylum seekers, and maintaining amity with Mexico." (Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2010, James Taranto)
So Arizona might not be as sensitive as the feds. Well (forgive me for this but) I hope they aren't! Illegal immigration is a MAJOR problem. One that the elected leaders of Arizona have decided that they will do something about because the "balance" that the federal government keeps is not working.
Who knows how this will end up? I think it is pretty clear that Arizona has a legal right to do this. The Obama Administration is grasping at straws here. But his influence is great - and he has shown a few times that enforcing his idealogies is more important than the law. But no matter what happens, I am proud of my state.
4 comments:
Dan,
I see where you are coming from and fully know that illegals are a problem to the border states but you fail to recognize certain key points.
One: yes there are bad illegals like they are bad people every where. How do you think, though, many of the drug smugglers get into the country? well not by themselves.
two: you say illegals don't pay taxes and yes there are some who don't and abuse the system. Most people though don't see how there are many illegals who gain jobs, pay taxes, and never get to see the money come back. Take my friend for example. she had been working and paying into the system for years and was fired because of an illness. She was never allowed to revive help from the government because she technically is not a citizen. Some people don't mean to stay illegal, some have no choice, because their lives are here in America they cant risk getting sent back where they have nothing.
Three: The reason why this law is gaining so much criticism is the fear that police will abuse it. I know it doesn't make much sense to go against a law that is against those who are not citizens and therefore have no legal rights. Thats not the point though. Its upsetting when legal Americans who either worked hard for their right to be here or were born here are now being threatened. Now this law wouldn't be controversial if they routinely asked everyone for their papers. Its just sad to me when my mother(who is now a citizen)is afraid that out of my group of friends I would get picked out. Its also a fear of the hate that could be created against a certain ethnic group.
well thats just a little bit from a different view point on the matter.
I concur!!! Scary to think where this is all headed.
Dan,
The United States is in a catch-22 given the history of the political boundaries among the U.S.-Mexican countries. Case-in-point
1. the State of New Mexico is a harbor for Mexican migration. The United States would have faired well had the forefathers created the State of New Germany, State of New Holland, et cetera.
2. The United States should consider Diplomatic relations among Native American governments. Instead, Mexican Nationals have far greater rights established among their Mexican Embassies throughout the United States.
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