The execution-style schoolyard murders of three college students in New Jersey should have once and for all convinced all clear-thinking Americans that the “don’t ask, don’t tell” sanctuary policies we tolerate in our cities should end now. There should be no bail ever for an illegal immigrant and every judge and district attorney should be required by law to determine the immigration status of apprehended criminal suspects, who should be deported immediately with no chance of returning in any capacity. Michelle Malkin has asked the right question: “Are we a sovereign nation or a sanctuary nation?” Government at every level is failing miserably at the most important duty of government—to protect its people. And I would add to that one that is a very close second—protect the sovereignty of the nation.
OK, so we didn’t get “comprehensive” immigration reform. Now it’s on to the next step, which is to strictly enforce the laws already on the books by securing the border, cracking down on outlaw employers, reminding state and local authorities that they have the constitutional authority to make arrests for violations of federal immigration laws, and penalizing sanctuary cities as well as visitors who overstay their visas. I cannot agree with the Texas Association of Business, an organization I once served as Chairman, or my favorite editorial page at the Wall Street Journal, that state and local authorities have no responsibility for immigration enforcement or that these measures will result in long term devastation to our economy or our relations with legal immigrants, whom we should certainly continue to welcome. The lengthy national debate on the proposed legislation had the beneficial effect of alerting Americans to the current woeful state of practice and neglect in our immigration policy, and they didn’t like what they saw. Now maybe we can proceed to answer Michelle’s question with authority.
