mtairynews.com
2 days 1 hr ago

It is that time of year again when new laws on the state and federal level are about to take effect, and people who have issues with the laws file suits in local, state and federal courts.

One such law going into effect in Alabama requires employers who are doing business with state or local governments there to verify the legal status of anyone working for those firms. Georgia is taking that a step further, requiring all businesses to show employees have legal status to be in the United States through the federal E-Verify program.

Predictably, that law is already being challenged in court. Surprisingly, among those challenging the law are public officials, including Paul Bridges, mayor of Uvalda.

We have a hard time understanding the opposition to such laws, just as we have a hard time understanding the opposition to laws in Arizona and elsewhere allowing local and state officials to detain those in the country illegally.

Other states, including South Carolina and Tennessee, are enacting similar laws, and we say good for them. Illegal immigration is a significant problem that U.S. officials have yet to address.

Most reasonable people, we believe, understand that immigration has been, is, and always will be good for the United States. The diversity brought about by immigration, the various customs and cultures that have blended together over the history of America has contributed mightily to its strength and success as a nation. Continued immigration and evolution of the nation will be key to America’s continued success and growth.

Illegal immigration, however, is a problem. Every job taken by an illegal immigrant is one that potentially could have been taken by someone in the United States legally. Every dollar spent on human services for illegal immigrant taxes an already overburden government. Every illegal immigrant allowed a seat in a public university or community college increases costs to state and local governments, and on taxpayers.

Again, we believe immigration is a good, positive practice that should be welcomed throughout the nation. But illegal immigration is not a good thing, and we have a hard time understanding opposition to new laws, or enforcement of existing laws, that would help stem the practice of illegal immigration to the nation.

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