Read the 10th Amendment, Deputize Local Authority

Read the 10^th Amendment, Deputize Local Authority

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

October 14, 2007

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” – Amendment X, United States Constitution, ratified December 15, 1791

In response to Toni M. Andrews’ letter “Takes exception to view on immigration,” (Alexandria Times October 11, 2007) I thank her for asserting that I have “supporters.” However, I must respond to her laissez faire attitude regarding illegals. (I use the term “illegals” upon the request of a friend who agrees with me on virtually nothing, save for this polarizing issue as she remarked that immigrants are here legally, but illegals are simply breaking the law.)

Ms. Andrews questions whether those “persons beating the anti-immigrant drum [are] truly motivated simply to enforce residency laws, or is there instead a desire to remove people who speak different languages and come from different cultures?”

Let me make one thing perfectly clear, as an active member of the Jewish community, I resent any implication that I would summarily “remove people who speak different languages and come from different cultures.” No, no, that shtick was executed to a tee by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who during World War II turned back boat loads of European Jews attempting to escape Hitler’s Holocaust only to be returned to certain death.

I’ve been beating this drum consistently for years and stand by my principles. Unfortunately, Ms. Andrews and her “supporters,” to borrow her phrase, have taken such a laissez faire stance of “they’re here, so just deal with it.” It is just that irresponsible attitude that has allowed such unchecked invasion by illegals to continue.

This laissez faire attitude is akin to returning home from work one night, finding the house broken into, an invader sitting on the couch watching television, and you, the legal owner, who has worked hard to afford that home, couch and television, then offering this miscreant snacks and a beverage. Once you have satisfied this criminal’s hunger and thirst, you, the legal homeowner, allow him to live with you while you support him. Supporters of illegals seem to be missing basic common sense here.

I don’t begrudge people a better life – my ancestors believed likewise as they arrived, legally, at Ellis Island. However, people with those desires must work legally through the system. This nation welcomes people who wish to work hard, learn English – increasing a person’s marketability, invest in America and not send their money back to their home countries to which they often claim allegiance.

Ms. Andrews does make an excellent point in that “the federal government has failed to control the influx of immigrants into our nation and adequately protect and secure our borders.” That is absolutely correct. Whether the government has pandered to the business community that hires illegals to keep costs and wages down, or has pandered to the Spanish-speaking community for votes, the government, on both sides of the aisle continues to allow the invasion.

Based upon Ms. Andrews’ correct assertion, the federal government, in accordance with the 10^th Amendment to the Constitution, should provide local law enforcement not just the authority, but the training to enforce immigration laws. Instead of sending so much money to Washington, DC via our taxes, more should be withheld so that city and county authorities have the capability to enforce immigration laws.

And let’s not forget the issue of national security. In this age of the shrinking globe, thanks to technology and the ongoing war on terror, all persons wishing to enter the United States should be screened with absolute diligence.

In addition, the federal government has the obligation to build the border fence presidential candidates and US representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO) have called for repeatedly. Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution requires that “the United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion…”

If the federal government would focus upon their legal responsibilities instead of social engineering, income redistribution and illegal pork-barrel spending, this country could easily afford to secure its borders as is legally required.

As for the resolution passed by the Alexandria City Council on October 9, Councilman Ludwig Gaines said “this is not a sanctuary resolution. …It is simply a restatement of the policy we have had in place for more than a decade.”

When a city or town allows illegals to reside in and receive services from that jurisdiction and those illegals are not bothered “unless arrested for the commission of a violent offense,” as quoted from Alexandria City Manager Jim Hartmann’s September 14 memo, that locality is a sanctuary. And just because the resolution is business as usual, doesn’t make it right. Councilman Gaines’ statements are not mutually exclusive.

Both councilmen Rob Krupicka and Tim Lovain spun this issue like a ballerina on steroids. Councilman Krupicka said the Alexandria Fire Department would not check green cards before extinguishing fires. That’s great, because that is a property issue, not a residency issue.

As for Councilman Lovain, he said city officials would not consult the Department of Homeland Security before allowing a victim of domestic violence into a woman’s shelter. Good. I would hope law enforcement would lock up the reprobate who committed that act of violence.

Don’t spin this issue as something it is not. Let’s remember the telephone calls and e-mails you and the rest of the council received during the run up to passage of the aforementioned resolution also object to such business. They too believe in the greatness and generosity of the United States, but do not wish to be played for a sucker by people not willing to abide by the rules.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria.