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I watched with interest a video of the “Illegal Is Illegal” rally in Kansas. Demonstrators outside were carrying “Love Conquers Hate” posters, which intrigued me.
The protesters said they represented Christian churches and they could not condone barring immigrants to this country, illegal or not. Their reasoning was that Jesus commanded that we love everybody. I thought that was strange, because nowhere in Jesus’ recorded words does he command anyone to break the law. What he said was “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17) In a letter to the Romans (while Nero was emperor) the apostle Paul said, “Let every person be subject to governing authorities.” (Romans 13:5) The protesters pointed out that we are a country made up of immigrants. True, but those immigrants who sailed into New York harbor stood in long lines for their documentation papers. They made it a priority to learn the English language and assimilate into American culture. Some even Americanized their names to reflect their chosen homeland. When this country went to war, they marched proudly under the American flag — not the flag of the country they left.
The decennial census has huge significance pertaining to illegal immigrants.
Robert Groves, director of the Census Bureau, said a concerted effort is being made, with the help of ACORN, to ensure that everyone living in the U.S., legal or not, is counted. Census figures are used to determine federal funding and to redraw state legislative and U.S. congressional districts. For every 600,000 new residents, another congressional district is added. Twelve million illegal residents in the U.S. would represent 20 new districts with 20 additional representatives in the U.S. Congress.
Illegals could affect the election of a representative favorable to their status. Places with high concentrations of illegal residents could also help choose state lawmakers.
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the cost at the federal, state and local level for illegal aliens to be about $113 billion yearly; nearly $29 billion at the federal level and $84.2 billion at the state and local level even though some pay taxes.
Most agree that our borders are broken and uncontrolled immigration is dangerous and unsustainable. Sensible solutions must prevail or we will become a country at war with each other.
Ina Fay Manly
Dalton
