Immigration still a minefield
By Phil Kent

For the Journal-Constitution

Friday, January 23, 2009

Illegal immigration again emerges as a major issue now that Barack Obama is president. The new administration is veering toward a more-open borders policy as underscored by Obama’s choices of Janet Napolitano as Department of Homeland Security chief and Hilda Solis as U.S. Labor secretary.

Napolitano seeks amnesty for the 15 million illegal aliens here, and opposes the almost-completed 650-mile U.S.-Mexico border fence. As Arizona governor, she slashed funding to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s task force fighting drug, weapons and human smuggling from Mexico. Her positions did little to make the homeland more secure —- especially since Mexico is engulfed in a civil war where well-organized gangs are killing police, judges and soldiers. This growing Mexican warfare is spilling over into the U.S. Southwest —- and poses a mounting problem for Obama.

As a California congresswoman, Solis opposed workplace raids to deport illegal workers and prosecute greedy employers. She also sought to force all federally funded entities to provide “meaningful accessâ€