by Mandatory Marcus

Created on: June 13, 2010   Last Updated: June 14, 2010

The whole Arizona immigration brouhaha got me to thinking about the topic of illegal immigration in the U.S. 

Specifically using the situation in Arizona, I broke down my own personal analysis of the issue into 3 separate categories...not all of which were in agreement with one another.

Category # 1 - Do You Believe There Is Such A Thing as Legal Immigration?

Do you believe there is such a thing as "legal immigration"?  If the answer is yes then by definition you believe in "illegal immigration".  If you believe in illegal immigration then you obviously believe that some things are illegal.  If something is illegal it must necessarily have an enforcement mechanism and some negative consequence to discourage the behavior.  Therefore if you believe in legal immigration you cannot possibly have a logical argument against Arizona's new law.  (I won't bother to belabor the fact that Arizona's law is basically the same as existing Federal law).

I happen to believe that there is such a thing as legal immigration...and that illegal immigration is therefore illegal.  And if a law enforcement officer wants to ask me for some form of ID or whether I am a legal occupant of the U.S. then so be it.  I already have to show proof that I have a valid license and insurance...so what's one more question?

This does not however, mean that I think the law is a good idea.  Which brings me to category #2.

Category # 2 - Do You Believe In States Rights?

Do you believe States have the right to create and enforce their own laws in ways that may differ from other states or from the Federal government?  I do.  I think that a State can and should act in a way that is most beneficial for that particular state. 

For example...California levies a substantially higher tax on gas in an effort to promote conservation...or to get more money to waste on grossly ineffective government BS...either way California taxes at the pump more than anyone else.  Should that be illegal because the gas tax in Virginia is lower?  Hawaii legalized gay marriage.  Should that be illegal because the same view is not shared in Texas?

So...if Arizona wants to have a more stringent policy on the enforcement of illegal immigration than other states, that should be their prerogative.  If it impacts the State's economy positively or negatively Arizona will have to deal with those consequences...not California or Colorado and certainly not the City

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>