I do not understand why illegal immigrants keep getting a pass in our society. I would favor increasing our immigration limits, but that would be for legal immigration. I also understand that the INS is a disgrace, but, it is, after all, a federal agency. What did you expect? At any rate, check out this graf from the Washington Times:
An order by the chief Border Patrol agent in San Diego for his agents not to arrest illegal immigrants on city streets or question them except along the border has been overturned by Robert C. Bonner, commissioner of the new Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Now, replace the words that have been bolded and underlined with any of the following, and tell me what your reaction would be:
A.) Jaywalkers
B.) Shoplifters
C.) Drug Dealers
D.) Petty Criminals
E.) Speeders
All of these individuals are breaking the law. Why don’t we cut them a break too?
Talkleft
Well, we should certainly give those offenders a break from jail. Community service or drug treatment would be far preferable.
M. Scott Eiland
Kudos to Commissioner Bonner for actually doing his job, though it’s sad that actually doing one’s job merits praise in this day and age. Of course, he’ll be called a racist by the usual suspects here and elsewhere.
mark
No jailtime for illegal immigrants. How about DEPORTATION? Or has that word been removed from our vocabulary?
Jonas
How about jailtime for people who hire illegal immigrants? That’s why they’re here.
JKC
Jonas is right. We have illegal immigrants here because they’re the backbone of agricultural labor in US agribusiness. Take away the demand, and the supply will start to dry up.
Kimmitt
Jonas is right in one — we give illegals a pass because we understand that they’ve been put in an untenable situation. We use their labor in a systematic fashion in the agricultural industry and have for the past several decades. The agricultural companies get a pliable workforce which will work for practically nothing and fears to speak out against abuse due to their status, and the illegals themselves get to escape an even worse life and economy back in Mexico. The only loser is respect for the law.
tom scott
Yeah, there is a gigantic agricultural effort in south central LA as well as San Diego.
hln
Wait, John – haven’t you noticed. Look around you. The rules apply only to YOU.
The rest of us have been chuckling for years. :)
hln
M. Simon
tom,
There is a gigantic agricultural enterprise in LA. It is called lawn maintenance.
The no arrest rule provides more order than an arrest rule. It helps to solve crimes that are more serious than border violations.
As to enforcing prohibition. I suppose the Government must continue it’s cocaine price support program in line with other agricultural subsidies. I just wonder why they set it up so that only criminals and terrorists benefit.
David Perron
I find myself in complete agreement with Kimmitt.
Tom, Kimmitt may have failed to mention that in addition to agriculture, illegals are also used in urban endeavors such as construction, landscaping, factory work, cleaning, and just about any other sort of low-pay job you might imagine.
I’m thinking there’s two solutions. First, document all aliens from Mexico. Give them Social Security numbers, and enforce minimum wage laws. A side benefit of that would be a little added tax revenue, which CA could use in exchange for having to provide services. Or, second, enforce existing laws so that our borders aren’t quite so sieve-like.
I’m sure there’s a downside to this, but I can’t bring myself to care all that much. Either be serious about the law, or change the law so that things work.
tom scott
M. Simon – I stand corrected.I completely overlooked the grassy knoll theory.
David Perron – you say that “Kimmett MAY have failed to mention…” I think that he DID fail to mention those things that you brought up.
David Perron
True, tom. What I didn’t say is that he shouldn’t have had to mention it. Mentioning it only strengthens his point. So, unless your criticism of him is that he didn’t make his point forcefully enough…
But it’s late in the day, and my brain isn’t functioning as well as it ought to. Did I miss something, again?