You make some good points, I'm sure private interest has lobbied like hell, and couple that with immigrant support/lobby groups and you have a formidable opponent. I don't share your optimism concerning the Fed though. I mean, they've been running the show. This administration has been particularly bad, in essence doing the exact opposite of what they should do. Arizona merely mentioned it's intentions and illegals left in droves, similar results in states that have taken similar action.
Let's stipulate that immigration is a complex matter. Having said that, it remains a federal matter which can only be addressed at the federal level. States' attempt to intervene, while understandable given how the federal govenment has been hamstrung by conservative policy, produce choas and are counterproductive. Indeed the gravamen of the Arkansas case, and most of these cases, is that states seem to think immigration status is an either/or status: you're either illegal or not. But that's not the case. Federal immigration laws are very complex, carving out all sorts of forms of status, often without issuing any written document to show it. Thus for instance Haitians who have overstayed their visas are technically here illegally. But federal law has carved out an exception for Haitians in that situation (due to the dangerous situation in Haiti post-earthquake). But the feds don't issue papers. Any state law enforcment would just see an illegal who has overstayed his visa and should be deported. The irony of all this is that the Tea Party mania for cutting the budget has left ICE toothless, and so Obama has had to prioritize, deporting only criminals. It's poetic justice for their toxic mixture of xenophobia and anti-gummit rhetoric.
More xenophobia on display. Why don't they arrest the Republican business men that hire these illegal aliens? Very interesting.
How do you know that all the employers who hire illegals are Republican? I had no idea ICE kept a record on that.
It's even more hilarious when people automatically assume that conservatives who want our immigration laws enforced are racist.
Kidnapping and bank robbery are also enforced at the federal level yet local and state law enforcement will surely arrest someone and turn them over to the feds.
Maybe Alabama, Texas, and Arizona should leave the secede and start up thier own thrid-world country?
If conservatives actually had any idea what our immigration laws actually were that would be credible.
There have been numerous instances of Democrat politicians hiring housekeepers and nannies who were illegal. Hypocrites.
Agreed. "Why don't they just come here legally???" I'm an attorney and I couldn't do half the paperwork needed to come here legally. Our ridiculous rules have created a black market. Simplify the rules and you solve the problem of illegal immigration. Sheesh.
I do know this....I appears that Conservative's have a full understanding as to what the word...I-L-L-E-G-A-L means...and Liberals can't seem to get a grasp on it. Here I will help...spread it around to all of your friends, and guess what....you can all learn something today! il·le·gal  [ih-lee-guhl : not according to or authorized by law : unlawful, illicit; also : not sanctioned by official rules :forbidden by law or statute. Synonyms 1. unlawful; illegitimate; illicit; unlicensed. Illegal, unlawful, illegitimate, illicit, criminal can all describe actions not in accord with law. Illegal refers most specifically to violations of statutes or, in organized athletics, codified rules: an illegal seizure of property; an illegal block ( in football ). Unlawful means not sanctioned by or according to law: an unlawful claim to the inheritance; to take unlawful advantage of the trading situation. Illegitimate means lacking legal or traditional right or rights: an illegitimate child; illegitimate use of privileged knowledge. Illicit, which originally meant simply not permitted, now most often applies to matters regulated by law with specific emphasis on the way things are carried out: illicit conversion of property; an illicit attempt to control the market. Criminal most often refers to violation of the statutes of penal as opposed to civil law. All felonies are criminal as are all crimes sometimes punishable by death such as murder, arson, and kidnapping: a criminal act.
What's your point? Are you really so simple-minded that, to you, "illegal" is synonymous with "wrong"? The laws are hampering our ability to deal rationally with the problem. They need to be changed. You're a criminal. I'm a criminal. We just happen to look more dis-favorably, as a society, on the laws that are broken by, as you call them, "illegals".
What's my point? If you come here ILLEGALLY....YOU ARE A CRIMINAL! Can't be more specific than that, can I? Are you? That explains alot.
Again... Is your understanding of the world so simplistic that you think that anyone who violates a statute is a horrible, evil person? What happens when the statutes are unjust or wrong? So are you, by your standard that anyone who breaks a law is a criminal.
It has nothing to do with the character of the people who are here illegally. The fact is...they are here illegally...by being here they are breaking the law. And yes...the definition of a criminal is one who breaks the law.
I am still having trouble understanding something that maybe someone on the left can help enlighten me. Without the hateful mess that usually comes after a logical question... Please... Why are democrats, the doj, and Obama so concerned with conservative states that are trying to influence state immigration but think it is a great idea for California to do the exact same thing, just in the opposite direction with their version of the dream act. They also just ignore what the federal laws are. I don't understand why people are not outraged on both ends? We need comprehensive immigration REFORM on all sides of the issue.
They don't need changed...they need enforced. THe law is simple: Crossing the border without going through the proper channels is against the law.
Ok. That's not an argument regarding immigration. I'm arguing that the laws are unjust, cause far more harm than good, are in some instances unenforceable, and should be changed. It's not a counterargument to merely point out that the laws exist. They are being enforced. Enforcement is not perfect and nor does it exist in a fantasy world where budgets and manhours are unlimited. And again, we are all criminals. We have all broken laws. Someone needs to explain, using logic, why immigration - which is merely moving from one place to another, an action which does not inherently hurt anyone - is more deserving of punishment than any of the myriad crimes committed on a daily basis by you and I.
