2008 Woodie Awards
Illegal Immigrants know where to hide
Scott Cullinane
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Opinion
The mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, is acting childish. He recently issued an executive directive (07-01) that San Francisco is a "sanctuary city" for illegal aliens and that the city will not cooperate with law enforcement agencies to apprehend illegals. He has authorized that citizens and illegal immigrants will be equal in the social services that the city provides.
While no one denies the urgent and vast need to reform the immigration laws and procedures in this country, Newsom does not offer a real solution. Simply saying you will not play by the rules halfway through the game because you don't like them is something I had hoped was left behind in kindergarten, but that was too much to hope for.
I do realize that many immigrants just want a job and are not bad people, but wanting a job is not an excuse to break the law. I want the immigrants here. I want the cheaper labor and also the intellectual abilities legal immigrants from places like India can provide. I agree with Newsom that the immigration system now is not working, but I support fixing it, not breaking the law even further. Two wrongs do not make a right.
It is also important to keep in mind that not every immigrant is just looking for a job. Some are criminals, some come here and commit crimes, and others carry illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that whooping cough and leprosy, diseases we thought that had been killed in America are being brought back by illegal migrants.
Other sicknesses like tuberculosis and dengue fever could also break out in the US because of transmission by illegals. Because of this we must know who is coming into our country. Would you leave the front door of your house open to let anyone come traipsing through? Then why would you do that to your country?
Mayor Newsom is an embarrassment to the city and people of San Francisco. He makes California look like an irrational and bizarre place to the rest of the country. Mayor Newsom could have done many other things to bring the issue of immigration even more attention. He could have a serious media campaign to convince people of his point of view, try to pass actual legislation, supported protests, or used his office to lobby. But instead of trying a constructive approach to really get something done, he went off the deep end. All Newsom did was a publicity stunt. His actions were so extreme that even more moderate voices that he might have otherwise been won over to his cause were just driven away. If anything, the absurdity of declaring some kind of safe zone for law breakers hurts his cause. The real reason Newsom has made this declaration is to give himself media play. He selfishly wants the attention for himself, and that is childish.
It is not inconsequential that what Newsom has done has wide ranging implications. Federal law states that "concealing, harboring, or sheltering illegal aliens" is against the law, but that is exactly what Newsom is doing. What does it say about our government when any one official, and by implication, any person, can just chose which laws they want to follow and not follow?
What does Newsom's decision say about the value of being a citizen, if by being illegal you get all the perks, but never the responsibilities? Newsom's safe zone brings up troubling questions.
It's not his job to fix the immigration problem. He should stick to serving the citizens of San Francisco as he was elected to do. Now, that would be mature.
While no one denies the urgent and vast need to reform the immigration laws and procedures in this country, Newsom does not offer a real solution. Simply saying you will not play by the rules halfway through the game because you don't like them is something I had hoped was left behind in kindergarten, but that was too much to hope for.
I do realize that many immigrants just want a job and are not bad people, but wanting a job is not an excuse to break the law. I want the immigrants here. I want the cheaper labor and also the intellectual abilities legal immigrants from places like India can provide. I agree with Newsom that the immigration system now is not working, but I support fixing it, not breaking the law even further. Two wrongs do not make a right.
It is also important to keep in mind that not every immigrant is just looking for a job. Some are criminals, some come here and commit crimes, and others carry illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that whooping cough and leprosy, diseases we thought that had been killed in America are being brought back by illegal migrants.
Other sicknesses like tuberculosis and dengue fever could also break out in the US because of transmission by illegals. Because of this we must know who is coming into our country. Would you leave the front door of your house open to let anyone come traipsing through? Then why would you do that to your country?
Mayor Newsom is an embarrassment to the city and people of San Francisco. He makes California look like an irrational and bizarre place to the rest of the country. Mayor Newsom could have done many other things to bring the issue of immigration even more attention. He could have a serious media campaign to convince people of his point of view, try to pass actual legislation, supported protests, or used his office to lobby. But instead of trying a constructive approach to really get something done, he went off the deep end. All Newsom did was a publicity stunt. His actions were so extreme that even more moderate voices that he might have otherwise been won over to his cause were just driven away. If anything, the absurdity of declaring some kind of safe zone for law breakers hurts his cause. The real reason Newsom has made this declaration is to give himself media play. He selfishly wants the attention for himself, and that is childish.
It is not inconsequential that what Newsom has done has wide ranging implications. Federal law states that "concealing, harboring, or sheltering illegal aliens" is against the law, but that is exactly what Newsom is doing. What does it say about our government when any one official, and by implication, any person, can just chose which laws they want to follow and not follow?
What does Newsom's decision say about the value of being a citizen, if by being illegal you get all the perks, but never the responsibilities? Newsom's safe zone brings up troubling questions.
It's not his job to fix the immigration problem. He should stick to serving the citizens of San Francisco as he was elected to do. Now, that would be mature.