Thread: Leaders need to enforce immigration law

http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pb ... 14/OPINION

The illegal immigration crisis offers wonderful opportunities to judge the integrity of our leaders. Will they abide by their oath to uphold the Constitution and enforce immigration law, or will they capitulate to powerful business interests and strong globalist forces and perpetuate lawlessness?

What does the law say about illegal immigration? Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," anyone who "Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers" has committed a federal crime. Violations are punishable by fines and/or prison, and, according to the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 237 (a)(1)(B): "Any alien who is present in the United States in violation of this Act or any other law of the United States is deportable."


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Have our leaders followed the law? No. Even after 9/11, many American cities remain "safe havens" where local law enforcement is forbidden to notify the immigration authorities when they have apprehended an illegal alien. Thirty-three percent of our prison population is now comprised of non-citizens, and when they are released from prison they are not deported, but rather, let loose back into our country.

President Bush's immigration plan grants amnesty for millions of illegal aliens (amnesty is setting aside the penalty of a law that has been violated). How can this protect American citizens or uphold and defend the Constitution? God will hold us accountable to our oaths, even if the constituents won't.
Just as your neighbors need permission to enter your home, foreigners need permission to enter our country. It is in our best interest to keep out criminals, terrorists, and the unproductive that just want to suckle on the federal teat. All who invade our country illegally are criminals and should be punished and deported.

We don't need to evict all 20 million illegal aliens. Disallow the children of illegal aliens from being given citizenship. Forbid them from getting Medicaid or Social Security. Make a hasty exit from our country an act of self-preservation and the path of least resistance, and illegal immigrants will leave. Let them come if it can be shown first that they are not criminals or terrorists and that they are productive, but our national security trumps their job opportunities in our country.

It has been said that illegal aliens are doing jobs Americans just won't do. If only it were true. In fact, 36 to 42 percent of illegal aliens are on welfare. Moreover, any American will do that job if it pays well enough. Americans probably won't do it for less than minimum wage, which is what employers are paying illegal aliens.

It's time for Republicans to abandon false remedies that exacerbate the malady, and return to traditional Republican principles. Let's put the government in its proper place: To protect life, liberty, property, and our borders from invaders, not be the chief violator of those rights.


Dr. Patrick Johnston
Zanesville

Amen! I could not have said it any better myself.