Posted on 08/19/2005 9:19:03 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Give Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger credit for not rushing to follow his counterparts in Arizona and New Mexico by declaring a state of emergency over illegal immigration. No doubt the anti-immigration zealots would be encouraging such a move.
Schwarzenegger surely knows, as all Californians do, that illegal immigration has an enormous impact on the state. There are an estimated 2.4 million undocumented workers working on the state's many farms, in restaurants, on street corners and in homes. This shadowy and unknown subculture - the largest of any state in the union - causes uncountable impacts on the state in terms of education and health care.
In a very real sense, it is an emergency, and one that has been going on for years.
But that doesn't mean Schwarzenegger should bend to pressure and join in a mostly meaningless public relations move.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson arguably do have an urgent situation, with their states ground zero for the flow of U.S.-bound immigrants as well as for the border vigilantes' movement. Making a state-of-emergency declaration frees up $1.5 million for each state to use to patrol the hot zones.
Schwarzenegger said he will keep an eye on the situation and follow if "there's a need."
But he should only move if there's a clearly effective solution. The last thing California needs is another empty gesture when it comes to illegal immigration. Without real support of Congress and the president, not even crying "emergency" is bound to have meaningful results.
Not when the Republicans controlling the federal government refuse to work toward a sane immigration policy, despite a proposal by the White House for a guest worker program. Not when federal law enforcement authorities have virtually given up on busting employers who hire illegal immigrants. Not when millions in homeland security funds are being allocated to secure the empty plains of Wyoming.
Rather than yelling "emergency," Schwarzenegger and the other governors of southwestern states ought to use their positions to escalate pressure on their state's congressional representatives and senators put on the White House to put immigration policy on the front burner.
Until the federal government turns its full attention on the state of illegal immigration, there's very little individual states can do to stop it.
Nope he should devote his time to getting the drivers License for illegals bill on his desk, for a signature, that along with the bill to make homosexual marriage legal.
What a crock.
The control of the international borders falls on the Feds, not the states.
I read that too. If that was any more inflamatory, it would burst into flames.
Some people will actually try and debate that.
"There are an estimated 2.4 million undocumented workers working on the state's many farms, in restaurants, on street corners and in homes."
Street corners? hmmm
That's true, but what isn't true is that "there's very little individual states can do to stop it". There is a lot each state can do to make it difficult for illegal aliens to live/work in an individual state. No place is required to be a sanctuary city. Cities can rigidly enforce zoning laws, health and safety codes, business licenses (shopping cart vendors), etc. States can refuse to issue drivers' lcenses to illegals. Cities should not build day labor centers.
Well, you get what I mean, don't you? The states need not bow down to illegal aliens.
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