Say What?

Today I read a quote from Mexican President Felipe Calderon that I would like to share. This statement was made during his State of the Union address (which must have sounded promising considering all those American dollars flowing their way) and revealed his opinion of our U.S. Border Patrol. "Mexico does not end at the border . . . wherever there is a Mexican, Mexico is there."

Huh?

Besides not making much sense, the statement also shows a blatant disregard for American laws. I wonder if an illegal American could make the same claim in a foreign country? Most countries consider us to be arrogant anyway, so why not make such a statement? We don't because we have all heard horror stories about prisons abroad. But what about the lack of respect for our laws?

I'm not going after the immigrant. It's the word illegal that most of us have a problem with. What happens when American citizens commit an illegal act? We face the consequences. We are fined, penalized, and punished. What happens when an immigrant crosses our borders illegally? We again pay the consequences. Our tax dollars (I don't like this term since we have little say in how our tax dollars are spent) foot their living and medical expenses, and provide hot lunches at school. We reward the breaking of a law.

This is why municipalities are taking matters into their own hands. They have given up on the federal government and whatever alliance they seem to have with Mexico or other countries who encourage the illegal migration to America. Irving is the latest city on the ball and in the spotlight. Even the Mexican Consulate warns the illegal immigrants to steer clear of Irving. Irving is being accused of racial profiling. The police say they are only doing their job. If they stop someone for a moving violation, they check for legal documents. If none are to be had, the individual is turned over to ICE for possible deportation. What's wrong with that? Is it any different than a squad car with radar waiting at the bottom of the hill? Or is that also called profiling? It could be. Catch a speeder, go to the highways. Sounds like profiling to me.

If the government refuses to handle the influx of immigrants who disregard our laws and feel they have every right to come here freely and get their demands met, then it's time our city governments rise to the occasion. I'll back them all the way. A law applies to everyone, not just a few (although the illegal numbers are growing out of sight). In other words, don't charge me penalty and interest for filing my taxes late, then turn around and give that money to someone who is here illegally and draining our country's resources. Fine them, too. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That little adage, sadly, is not followed in our country.

It's obvious that President Calderon is urging his people to enter America regardless of what our laws are. They have their own Border Patrol agents and I don't think they are waving everyone through with a big smile and a frosty margarita, and totally ignoring documents that identify us and our business in their country. Laws should be acknowledged and respected, whether you're pointed North or South.