FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2008 :: Last modified: Thursday, February 7, 2008 2:05 AM MST


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Illegal immigration
needs national fix





Star-Tribune Editorial Board

Congress has failed the nation on the illegal immigration quandary. So frustrated states are rushing to pass piecemeal, ill-conceived laws that will only compound the problem.

Call it a game of Last Man Standing. States are trying to not be the last to pass stringent anti-immigration laws, so they don't become unintentional refuges for illegal immigrants.

Oklahoma started the trend by making it a felony to "transport or harbor" an illegal alien. The law also serves to identify the illegal aliens and punish them by taking away most government services and non-emergency medical care. They can still go to soup kitchens to eat, but that's about the extent of their benefits.

The real intent of the law is to drive illegal immigrants to other states, and it has been effective. Thousands of Hispanics -- both legal residents and undocumented workers -- have reportedly left Oklahoma in the three months the law has been in effect.

Several other states either have passed copycat laws or are considering them. The latest is Wyoming, where several lawmakers have sponsored House Bill 62. It makes the crime of transporting or concealing an illegal immigrant punishable with one to two years in prison and a fine between $1,000 and $5,000.

The most obvious objection to the bill is that it isn't necessary. Wyoming doesn't have a lot of illegal immigrants. The few places that do, most notably Teton County, depend on them to do jobs left unfilled by Wyoming residents. Even if illegal immigrants start arriving from Oklahoma and other states, Wyoming's labor shortage ensures they won't supplant local workers.

One of the risks inherent in HB 62 is creation of a climate of fear and harassment of legal immigrants, merely because of their ethnic origin. That's not what America is about.

That doesn't mean Wyoming should condone illegal immigration. Americans are rightfully upset that illegal immigrants can obtain government services and benefits to which they are not entitled.

Somehow, America needs to stanch the flow of illegal immigrants into the country, and move toward a time when all immigrants are legal residents.

The task, however, is both large and perplexing. Imagine the government apparatus necessary to ship out 12 million illegals -- 20 times the population of Wyoming. It's simply not going to happen.

Instead of focusing solely on punishment, a more practical option is to encourage people here illegally to identify themselves and earn the right to stay. Save deportation for those who fail to report their status or who commit other crimes.

In any event, immigration reform is not a suitable assignment for the Wyoming Legislature. It's a national problem that needs a national solution from Congress. Our Legislature, meanwhile, has its own important work to do during the brief budget session of an even-numbered year.

Monkeying with immigration policy may make some legislators feel good, but it's useless demagoguery. There's no reason this bill should get the two-thirds vote required to be introduced in the Legislature this year.

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