Thread: More immigration frustration

More immigration frustration

postandcourier.com
Editorial
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Deep divisions persist over how and even whether to reduce illegal immigration. That includes a continuing debate on the legal validity and practical impacts of various state laws that have been passed in the last few years. But both sides should agree that the solution to this problem should come from the federal government.

Washington has long dodged its duty on illegal immigration. Thus, a growing number of states, including South Carolina, have tried to fill the breach with laws of their own.

The American Civil Liberties Union, arguing that the S.C. law violates the U.S. Constitution, announced Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit, in collaboration with other organizations, to block it.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department warned that it is "prepared to bring suit" against state immigration laws, including South Carolina's, if they "interfere with the federal government's enforcement of immigration law."

However, Gov. Nikki Haley, who signed our immigration bill into law in June, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and assorted members of the General Assembly defend it. Scheduled to go into effect at the start of 2012, the law directs local and state law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of people when there is a "reasonable" suspicion that they aren't here legally. It also would penalize businesses that fail to verify the legal status of their workers.

Victoria Middleton, who is based in Charleston as the ACLU of South Carolina's executive director, warned this week that the law "will make criminals out of good samaritans, harm victims of crime and abuse, hamper police in preventing and solving crimes and create a climate of fear and prejudice in South Carolina."

Yet some means of checking legal status is necessary to stem the flow of illegal immigration. And we wouldn't have this state law if the federal government had not abdicated its responsibility.

Two months ago, the Obama administration retreated further from the enforcement mission by ordering a "review" of approximately 300,000 deportation cases against alleged illegal immigrants. Congress rates blame, too, for failing to craft an overdue, comprehensive immigration overhaul.

Meanwhile, South Carolina and other states must waste time and money not just on enforcing these laws but on defending them in court.

Voters should demand that Washington end its shameful neglect of this obligation.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011 ... ustration/

Well......if states can't enforce Federal laws....then maybe states should not arrest Bank robbers....robbing a bank is a federal crime...isn't it....and therefore states can't help the Federal government....no?????

Originally Posted by grandmasmad

Well......if states can't enforce Federal laws....then maybe states should not arrest Bank robbers....robbing a bank is a federal crime...isn't it....and therefore states can't help the Federal government....no?????

Very good point Grandma. I think in the begining there was only 3 federal laws,the rest was up to the states. All these ammendments were tricks to control the populace.
They pick and choose which laws to enforce now that they have a monopoly of them.