Vote to Deport Criminals

The north suburban city of Waukegan enforces section 287(g) of Federal immigration law with a local ordinance. Tribune:

City and police officials have said the program would allow some officers to start deportation proceedings for immigrants—legal or illegal—convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape and drug-related felonies. Those officials have said the goal is to rid the city of criminals, not persecute immigrants who live within the law.

Sun Times here. The proposed action, which was confirmed by a vote of 7-2, including a black and Hispanic alderman in the majority, drew nationwide attention on both sides of the issue. The mayor voted in favor as well.

In the absence of a comprehensive federal law reforming our approach to immigration, the best approach for now is to enforce existing law. We need to build the border fence, which has already been approved by Congress, and employers need to be responsible members of the community and hire documented workers. Aside from that, the local level is where the day to day impact is the greatest, where officials are the most responsive to the public, and where effective models for reform are most likely to arise.

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