In recent weeks there have been a number of large demonstrations against HB 4437, about to be taken up by the U.S. Senate. The bill would strengthen laws against illegal immigrants and those who aid or hire them, and build fences along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.
These peaceful, public demonstrations have brought out as “few” as 50,000 marchers (Denver) to as many as half a million in Los Angeles. I find those numbers, driven home by pictures from the media, deeply disturbing and somewhat alarming. Are there really that many among us willing to publicly support illegal immigration and the continued flouting of U.S. law?
How many of those marchers are themselves illegal immigrants? How many of them know or support an illegal? Illegal means in violation of the law, a criminal. If you claim to be a law-abiding member of our society, how can you justify, support, and defend these lawbreakers among us?
I really wish some of these demonstrators could explain to me why they are demonstrating.
Is it because you think the new law will criminalize you or someone you know? If you or they are here illegally, you are already criminals under current law. If you think you have good reason to be here, why didn’t you come here legally, through the proper channels, and with the proper documentation?
Some of you say America is a land of immigrants, built by immigrants, and imply that you are just like those immigrants. You are not. They did not come here illegally; they obtained the proper papers or their citizenship. And of course many came before we even had any immigration laws.
Some of you say the proposed law is racist and discriminatory. How so? It applies to anyone who enters this country illegally. It is true that huge numbers of illegal immigrants happen to be Hispanic/Latino, but the law applies to anyone who enters the country illegally, whether across our southern border with Mexico, our northern border with Canada, or via a boat to our east, west, or gulf coast. You, the demonstrator waving the Mexican flag, are the one emphasizing your heritage.
Some of you say you are doing jobs Americans won’t do, and that you are essential to America’s economy. That may or may not be true, but either way, it doesn’t change the fact that if you are here illegally, you are breaking our law.
If you are here legally, I have no quarrel with you. If you are here illegally, or you know someone who is, I honestly would like to know why you think that’s okay.
Beyond the question of obeying the law is the issue of security. If you love this country and value what it has to offer, as apparently you do since you are here, can you not see why, in the wake of 9/11, we feel a heightened need to secure our borders?
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