Home > Albemarle Talk > Archives > 2007 > September > 10 > Entry
Deport illegal aliens only if criminals?
Our eye-opening report on undocumented workers in North Carolina indicates that the federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency shows little interest in deporting those people who are living and working in the state illegally unless they commit crimes. As a result, police and sheriff’s departments have little motivation to step up local efforts to identify undocumented residents and workers. That sounds like a slight to local law enforcement as well as a potentially dangerous precedent for the state and nation. What do you think?
Comments
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By RO
September 12, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
It is very much a terrible situation to me. I can now understand why local law enforcement doesn’t pursue identifying illegals. Why would they use their limited resources to identify them only to get no response. This is bad because the illegals aren’t identified but also because the local community looks to local law enforcement for their first line of defense and don’t see any action.
Dangerous, yes. I believe people who have no accountability are more predisposed to commit crimes. I know this idea won’t be easily swallowed but it goes back to the familiar idea that telling one lie makes it easier to tell the second lie.
If Congress would get off the partisan shenanigans they play and fix the immigration process and SECURE THE BORDERS we wouldn’t have to be contemplating this situation, would we?
Another sad side of this story is that there seems to be a tension developing between Americans and Hispanics. This is a fasely manufactured prejudice; in my opinion. I know I don’t, and I don’t believe other Americans are prejudiced against Mexicans or Hispanics. Largely due to 9/11, we are suspicious of those who are not Americans, or at least we should be. We owe it to our dead countrymen.
By JEN
September 12, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this
Like many others, I’m terribly disappointed in the stance the federal government has taken on illegal immigrants and yes, it IS a slight to all local law enforcement agencies as well as those who have entered this country legally and thru proper channels.
The answer to your question is easy. If we only deport illegal aliens if criminals, then anyone here illegally has already committed a criminal act and should be deported.
As for setting precedent it seems we’ve already set one that says we won’t enforce immigration laws that are already in place and our borders are wide open to anyone who wants to slip in.
In an age when we’re already threatened by terrorists, what is wrong with us that we’re allowing our representatives to get away with leaving our borders wide open. It amazes me the fit we’ll throw over what a celebrity does but sit back in our easy chairs and say so little about the border situation. Our representatives should be hearing from us, en mass, until they do something to correct this frightening problem because it seems they’re not willing to do it on their own.
By Floyd(Butch)Hampton
September 12, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
Our law enforcement officers should make every attempt to find out if someone they stop is here legally. If they find out they are, then that is another charge, because they are breaking the law. We need to secure borders and enforce the laws on the books.
The CLEAR Act is an important tool in gaining control of our immigration system.
This bill would help local law enforcement officers identify and remove violent criminal illegal immigrants. It would also provide training and funding to local and state police.
Thousands of local officers encounter criminal aliens on a regular basis during the course of their routine duties. While it is essential that we secure our borders, there must also be a component of interior enforcement. Incorporating the assistance of state and local agencies is the most effective way to do this.
This legislation would deny federal funds to “sanctuary cities” that protect violent criminal aliens. God Bless America & Our Troops
By RO
September 13, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
A slight, it is a slap in the face. I don’t blame them for not acting at all on the issue of illegal immigration. Why spend the limited resources they have on something that will not amount to anything. Believe me, I am a huge believer in deporting illegals and their offspring but I can’t expect local law enforcement to spit in the wind. I hold them accountable only if they are given the support they need.
One of the things bothering me now more and more is that this whole immigration issue is being turned into a racial prejudice. I hate for this to happen. Under anonymity I have no point in misrepresenting my feelings. I hold no prejudice against any other race. I hate it that my desire for a more secure country is being turned into prejudice. I don’t care if the immigrants are French, Australian, Swiss, or Israelis; I want people following a legal means of coming to America.
Each and every one of us should write our legislators and tell them we support SECURE BORDERS NOW!