Illegal? It is against the law.
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
Alvin Beahm
Published: May 17, 2008
I’m sure the majority of American taxpayers would not be appreciative of the brazen remark “you might not like it, but it is the truth and it is the law,” ending a recent letter in the Star-Exponent (287 (g) not cost effective for town, April 29).
With that frame of mind, here’s a few more to be considered: if you enter the United States from another border, and don’t secure citizenship through the proper procedure, you’re in the United States illegally you might not like it, but it is the truth and it is the law. After gathering sufficient evidence, ICE can conduct raids at anytime. You might not like it, but it is the truth and it is the law.
Alvin Beahm
Culpeper
Page 1 of 1
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Brian ) on May 21, 2008 at 7:25 am
First thing. Mr. Torelli was not brazen. His point was very easy to understand. How difficult can it be to understand that there are limits to what can be done by the law? I never heard him disagree with ICE. He just reiterated the limitations and what they will and will not do.
Yes everyone should enter this country legally. But once they are here they are protected by law and have the same rights as American citizens. Ignorance of the law and what is correct is no excuse. Neither are emotions and anger which are the root of the problem for people like Alvin and Allen Kelly.
We can complain all we want about pregnant women coming here and having babies. But children that are born here are citizens. Unless the laws are changed that is how it is. I see it as children being innocent victims. The next time you look into the eyes of a small child make sure you think about it. Have some compassion and stop being hateful.
semper fi mom I suggest that you please contact both the state and local department of social services. You’d be amazed at how illegal aliens are not receiving the services you mention. They are not entitled to those services. Temporary Assistance for Needful Families is something I suggest you take a look at. The short term is TANF. Illegal aliens don’t even qualify for food stamps. Don’t fall into the category of xenophobia.
Illegal aliens who commit crimes are apprehended and arrested locally. Immigration Customs Enforcement says who goes and who stays. Not all illegal aliens are criminals. Remember, just being present in this country illegally is not a criminal violation. It is civil. There is a big difference. The majority of local crimes in Culpeper are not offenses where ICE will detain them.
Bottom line is this. All governments and law enforcement agencies must act within the law. When they deviate from the law you can expect lawsuits to pile up.
As to ICE conducting raids. They can conduct raids and do so all the time. Don’t expect them to come to Culpeper anytime soon. They will not raid day labor sites. They can’t even handle what they have now. Their resources are limited. Alvin, you missed the point of the letter you refer to. I’d say that you are just very angry. Please think about what is being said. It is the truth no matter what our personal feelings are.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( semper fi mom ) on May 20, 2008 at 3:19 pm
If you keep it free of emotion - it would be much easier to handle. (The following is only related to those here illegally-regardless of where they came from.) I don’t think it is right for a pregnant person here illegally to be able to use her unborn child for legalizing residency; I don’t think it’s fair for people here illegally to have the use of our Constitution and its protection. I don’t think it is right for people here illegally to have driving licenses; I definitely do not like people here illegally getting fake IDs and using a citizen’s right to vote; I definitely do not appreciate people here illegally being able to get help with medical assistance when I can barely afford to care for my children’s medical needs. I highly dislike the money spent on making everything bi-lingual - if you want to live here (and do so legally of course) learn English. Forcing schools and others to meet foreign illegals’ language needs is wrong. There should be help for those here legally, yes - but not illegal aliens. I do not expect other countries to accommodate my lack of knowing their language if I choose to live there. Why bother being a soverign country and a Constitution protecting citizens’ rights if in the end - they really don’t matter any way?
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( R.L. ) on May 20, 2008 at 12:44 pm
You are correct in you descriptions of the law. I cannot argue that with you. I will state that when you enter the United States the correct way, you must have a passport or a visa. For those of you that travel, you all know what a pain the INS line can be. I am curious if you have ever been outside the United States. If so how did you get into the country? Did you just walk in illegally? Did you come in propoerly. Most of the poeple who complain about the illegal immigrants are just venting. They are just as entitled to their opinion as you.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( LawMan ) on May 19, 2008 at 5:22 pm
You missed the point of both that letter and phrase. It simply means that local and state law enforcement officers must act within the guidelines of the law. Why be so ignorant. Do you really think ICE will come here and do raids? Do you really think ICE will come over to Culpeper and raid our day labor site? Absolutely not. They don’t have the resources to deal with crimes unless henious crimes. Day laborers are not violent criminals. They want the serious offenders. You don’t get the idea of the 287-g program. The citizens of Herndon found out what it won’t do, even after the Chief of Police explained it to them. Everyone to include illegal aliens are protected by the Constitution. It’s the law and whether or not you or anyone to include myself like it. Do you understand it now? There are no shortcuts to the law. You enforce it by the rules or else you bring in lawsuits. Quit complaining and start comprehending.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Opa ) on May 17, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Alvin, I don’t agree that most Americans would think that the statement ‘it is the truth and it is the law’) is either ‘brazen’ or argumentative. And, you are wrong that ‘if you enter the United States from another border, and don’t secure citizenship through the proper procedure, you’re in the United States illegally.’ The truth is that there is no law that anyone who enters the USA must seek and/or secure citizenship in order to be here lawfully. You do apparently have ICE authority right, but what is your point? Who has disagreed with ICE authority?
Report Inappropriate Comment