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When it comes to illegal immigration, the feds could learn from our states
Jessica deGraffenreid


From the AP wire today: “Federal agents raided meat processing plants in six states Tuesday and arrested an unknown number of suspected illegal immigrants in an identity theft investigation, temporarily suspending operations at all six plants.”

From identity theft to murder, many illegal immigrants are convicted of more significant crimes than crossing our border. Immigration apologists trot out excuse after excuse for these criminals but the fact remains: if they weren’t here, the crime wouldn’t have been committed.

Governor Mitt Romney is showing some leadership on the issue. A 2008 presidential hopeful, the Massachusetts governor will sign an agreement with the federal government allowing 30 state troopers to detain and question illegal immigrants uncovered during the course of other law enforcement business. More state leaders ought to be taking charge where the federal government has failed.

From a recent article posted on FSM: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has lost track of 111,000 files in 14 of the agency's busiest district offices and processed as many as 30,000 aliens may have become naturalized United States citizens even though the officials who bestowed citizenship to them were not able to review the immigration file that might have contained derogatory information about them.

A Washington Times article from December 4th, 2006, states, “Congress will approve an immigration bill that will grant citizenship rights to most of the 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. after Democrats take control next month, predict both sides on Capitol Hill. While Republicans have been largely splintered on the issue of immigration reform, Democrats have been fairly unified behind the principle that the illegals currently in the country should get citizenship rights without having to first leave the country.”

Over the last year, congressmen from all over America have failed to listen to their constituency. Some, representing states where illegal immigration is not an issue, are able to sit on the fence with little political repercussions. Others rely on the Hispanic community for votes and therefore wouldn’t dare speak out against the problems that illegal immigration causes.

Democrats gained power in the House and Senate last month. Many would say that this is a referendum on the direction of the current situation in Iraq. Probably, but not exclusively. Even party faithfuls at fundraisers were seeking out their elected official (whom they voted for many times) not for a photo op, but to say that their congressman or senator wasn’t strong enough on immigration. Could the party of national security have lost votes because it refused to take a strong stand on illegal immigration? It’s certainly an interesting question.

And it will continue to be a hot-button issue for those who truly care about our nation’s security. Please take some time to read Family Security Matters’ four-part series on illegal immigration. It’s time to gear up for 2008, when we’ll have a chance to reelect those representatives who are strong on these issues and send a message to those who acquiesce to illegal immigration as a necessary evil, or worse, as a way go garner future votes.