Thread: OK: Opposing view: Good reason to act

Opposing view: Good reason to act
57 minutes ago



By Randy Terrill


With Congress gridlocked over immigration issues, Oklahoma and a few other states are leading the way on real reform — and rightfully so.


After all, the tremendous economic burden created by illegal immigration is felt most at the state and local level — particularly when it comes to education, health care, welfare and corrections. In Oklahoma alone, the direct cost of illegal immigration is more than $200 million a year. The indirect cost is far higher, and this is a relatively small state.


But even if you ignore the costs, states still have good reason to act. States are separate sovereigns in our federal system. They have the inherent legal right and a constitutional responsibility to provide internal domestic security, as well as to protect our citizens from waste, fraud and abuse.


In Oklahoma, we have taken that responsibility seriously by enacting a carefully calibrated, common-sense, real immigration reform measure that many have called the toughest in the nation.


Our new law cracks down on identity theft (only legal residents can obtain a state driver's license or ID card); terminates public assistance benefits for illegal aliens (other than federally mandated emergency care); empowers state and local law enforcement to detain illegal aliens for deportation (ending dangerous catch-and-release practices); and requires businesses to verify employment eligibility of workers or face serious legal and financial consequences.


Not one of those reforms is cumbersome, irrational or racist. It doesn't matter what your skin color is or if you speak with an accent. What does matter is whether you are in this country legally or illegally. The only people who should be concerned by Oklahoma's version of real immigration reform are those who deliberately choose to break the law.


Oklahoma and other states simply cannot ignore the enormous and growing problem of illegal immigration. Nor should those who favor a "comprehensive" approach — meaning amnesty for illegal aliens — expect us to agree just because the federal government has failed to act.


In the 1990s, states blazed the trail on welfare reform, and the federal government played catch-up. It looks as if history may be in the process of repeating itself.


Randy Terrill, a Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, was the author of the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/200708 ... easontoact

QUOTE-"In the 1990s, states blazed the trail on welfare reform and the federal government played catch-up,it looks as though history may be repeating itself."

I can only hope that states lead the way in getting this fixed.Randy Terrill sounds like a real great American and a true representative of the people.



Head 'em up,move 'em out Rawhide!