Illegal Still Means Against the Law

Illegal Still Means Against the Law

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

October 18, 2011

What part of illegal does Ruben Navarrette not yet understand?

In his October 16 column “Wake-up on a DREAM Act,” Mr. Navarrette expresses his belief that not only is it appropriate to charge illegals the cost of in-state tuition, but “it’s only fair because illegal immigrants who reside in a state contribute daily to the tax coffers and economic productivity.”

What Mr. Navarrette seems to ignore is that these so-called immigrants have broken the law of the United States and are therefore not entitled to any benefits of their being here illegally. Illegal means they have broken the law – some law – some statute that says their presence in this country is inappropriate and unacceptable, yet they are being rewarded with a seat in a college classroom and at a reduced rate to boot.

The contribution that illegals make, according to Mr. Navarrette, remains to be seen. What is seen is the high rate of crime committed by illegals and the high rate of recidivism by those merely thrown back into the general populous.

The more illegals are rewarded with in-state tuition, food stamps, free medical care, and public schooling – all at a cost to taxpaying citizens and legal residents – the more incentive they are given to continue invading our borders.

GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain may have been joking when he recently said there should be an electric fence on the southern border, but perhaps that is precisely what is needed. Yes, the people sneaking across the border are human beings – but they are also human beings who know the difference between right and wrong.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

[This item appeared in The Indianapolis Star.]