thoughts on immigration

Written by: Michael Hays on Dec 29, 2005 5:51 PM EST

I am a progressive (like all of you). As such, I support causes like affordable health care, environmental preservation, peace, quality education, accountable government, and a living wage for all workers (like all of you). But I have reached my personal threshold when it comes to progressives' overwhelming stand on immigration.
All summer long, we read stories about resource-strapped, understaffed immigration agents struggling to protect our border with Mexico. Having paid plenty of lip service to the problem, state and national officials fail at creating results.
Progressives believe in fairness, yet a judge ruled that Arizona school districts must increase spending for teaching English to non-native speakers, even though many of the families benefiting from this initiative crossed the border illegally.
Progressives believe in protection, but border agents continue to have Molotov cocktails hurled at them. Meanwhile, some on the left rally for the immigrants' amnesty.
Governor Napolitano diverted $1.5 million earmarked for disaster relief to bolster resources in the border fight because our federal government can't do the job. In the wake of Katrina, does this make sense?
Traditionally, liberalism has stood for fairness and justice. My fellow Democrats and progressives, where is the justice in breaking the rules and coming to this country illegally? It is time to grow a backbone and stand on the right side of this issue.

--Michael Hays, Grand Canyon

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Location: Flagstaff, AZ 86001