Thread: Inquirer Editorial: Stop picking on immigrants

Inquirer Editorial: Stop picking on immigrants\\

A tide of anti-immigrant sentiment has produced the nation's harshest crackdown on undocumented residents.

While the courts have blocked some of Alabama's draconian law, it still stands as a distressing example of the growing national anger at vulnerable people whose main offense is wanting to pursue better lives in this country

Among other things, Alabama's law makes criminals of anyone who would "harbor" or "transport" an illegal immigrant. Parents will have to start asking a child's Hispanic playmate to show them his papers before allowing him sleep over. Likewise for any landlord renting to someone with a foreign accent.

Enforcement of such extreme measures, which clearly contradict federal law, was temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn. But other harsh steps got her blessing. State and local police now have huge discretion to check for immigration papers and detain a person on only an undefined "reasonable suspicion" of illegal status.

Alabama's law has done what its supporters wanted: create a climate of fear that drives away illegal immigrants, no matter how responsible they are. There have been reports that pregnant women are afraid to seek medical care. Families are pulling their children from schools, which are now required to ask students whether they're here illegally.

A number of other states are also cracking down on illegal immigrants. Angry political movements tend to rise in times of national stress or profound change, and in these tough times, illegal immigrants are once again a convenient target. Today's climate is so bad that even a tea-party darling like Texas Gov. Rick Perry got booed for saying immigrant children deserve a chance at higher education, even if their parents came here illegally.

Ironically, the current anti-immigrant fervor comes at a time when federal enforcement of immigration laws has actually gotten tougher. Deportations have reached record levels (almost 393,000 last fiscal year), while the number trying to enter illegally appears to be dropping.

The nation's immigration system too often seems to fail to recognize the reality that drives so much of the illegal entry into the United States. Many of those escaping from poor countries sneak in because they know there is hard, low-paying work to be done here that too few Americans are willing to do. An improved guest-worker program is a better way to fill that economic void.

Those illegal immigrants who have been in this country a long time and lived otherwise law-abiding lives should be given a path to citizenship. America is still a magnet for those who want better lives, and Americans should be proud of that. The ability to attract ambitious, hardworking immigrants can be a source of national strength, if the nation can resist knee-jerk measures and establish a reasonable mix of enforcement and opportunity.


http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20 ... rants.html

I will be happy to contribute to the trip costs to Philly by any number of our half million illegals here in GA.

We have reached the tipping point and are drowning.

quote(Those illegal immigrants who have been in this country a long time and lived otherwise law-abiding lives should be given a path to citizenship.)quote

Why should they be given a free pass, what of the millions of others who have tried legally to enter,how many should America take in, how many poor under educated people can we afford, do you have a limit, or do you feel there is a limit or amount we can sustain. All these questions need answers not just a blanket let all come. Are you willing to have your taxes increase 25% to subsidize more illegals coming in.

America is no longer the place where an immigrant can come in get his 40 acres a mule and maintain his family of eight at times I wish it were but simply that is gone now we are becoming a nation in survival mode those around the world and sadly some in our country wish to see our demise. What we need is a 5 year moratorium on all immigration and then a quota of no more then 200K per year allowing immigration officials check each in order to see if they have enough resources to maintain themselves for 1 year minimum.
I seriously doubt any of this will be done until our situation grows so desperate that a internal war occurs or other type breakdown of our system, but those who beg for more immigration will in time pay the consequences.

Ironically, the current anti-immigrant fervor comes at a time when federal enforcement of immigration laws has actually gotten tougher. Deportations have reached record levels (almost 393,000 last fiscal year), while the number trying to enter illegally appears to be dropping.

Ironically my a$$! American citizens in ever larger numbers awakened to the non-enforcement policies practiced by the feds. As the numbers grew year by year some one realized they'd have to 'put on a show' and then point to it as if it solved the problem.

Well we aren't buying it! That's why individual states are enacting laws like the great state of Alabama has.

The reason that we have immigration quotas for every country is to insure that no one country or its' people overwhelm our country and conquor us through sheer numbers.
When did the politicians forget this, or is their agenda for a North American Union more important to them? They know what the consequences are by looking to the EU to see how unrestrained immigration and socialist fiscal models are working out, so what is the real agenda?

Who is picking on immigrants.

It is illegal aliens that we object to ... You know the ones that sneak into our Country illegally!!!!! Like with out permission, without proper ID's...you know the sneaking lying thieving ones that sneak over the border in the dead of night and or by any other means they see fit to do!!!!

While the courts have blocked some of Alabama's draconian law, it still stands as a distressing example of the growing national anger at vulnerable people whose main offense is wanting to pursue better lives in this country

And I want a better life in this country, but I still follow our laws as I pursue it.

Those illegal immigrants who have been in this country a long time and lived otherwise law-abiding lives should be given a path to citizenship. America is still a magnet for those who want better lives, and Americans should be proud of that.

They made an epic fail on the first layer of vetting potential new citizen's willingness to respect the law of the land in their willful disregard of the laws regarding immigration, identity theft, taxes, etc...

I, for one, would love to see a greater number of people who wish to be a part of this country enough to play by the rules, but I am way, way, past my breaking point with Illegal Aliens that feel they have every right to the perks of citizenship and every right to ignore the obligations of citizenship.

Whos picking on them?Ill quit if they quit robbing us for benifits and jobs and go back home.Thats not much to ask for to quit getting picked on.

Originally Posted by duckman

Whos picking on them?Ill quit if they quit robbing us for benifits and jobs and go back home.Thats not much to ask for to quit getting picked on.

I agree!!!!!!!

Based upon the comments at the source site, nobody is fooled with this chicanery and are as sick as we are of illegal invaders and the endless SOB stories being rammed down our collective throats!