Herndon’s illegal “immigrants” afraid police will enforce all laws

Yesterday’s Washington Post had an article on the illegal alien population in Herndon, VA being “fearful” regarding the Town Council’s recent move to involve their police force in enforcement of immigration law. The article is just amazing for a number of reasons and it paints a picture of a law enforcement apparatus that doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by enforcing the law as well as a media organ contorting themselves to evoke pity in their readers.

First off, the story in the on-line edition is titled, “Police Enforcement of Immigration Laws Raises Worry.” That’s not how it’s titled in the print edition at the top of page C1. There, it’s titled, “Illegal Immigrants Fearful in Herndon.” You can raise sympathy by suggesting that a police action “raises worry.” It’s a bit tougher when you suggest it’s bad that people who came here in violation of the law are worrying the cops will bust them. People who break the law are supposed to be fearful that the cops will bust them. That’s what the cops are there for. The article itself just gets better:

But they do say the town’s Hispanic community was buzzing last week with the news that those in charge, whoever they are, want police to become la migra, federal immigration agents.
   
“Everyone is afraid,” said Byron Flores, 26, who has lived in Herndon since immigrating illegally from Honduras three years ago. The number of illegal immigrants reporting crime is likely to plummet, he said, for fear that the police will ask for their papers.

Many people are thinking about moving away, he said, including him.

“Maybe to Seven Corners.”

Amazing, yes? Let us count the ways. 1) The WaPo reporter has identified a man who’s here in violation of US Law. You’ll note they are confident, the reporter and his subject, that this fact will not result in said illegal alien’s apprehension and deportation. 2) The concept of illegal “immigrants” not reporting crime is held up as a serious argument to not have law enforcement officers actually enforce the law. Finally, 3) the potential that Herndon’s Finest might actually begin enforcing these laws is causing the illegals to consider moving out of the jurisdiction.

The police – or ICE officials, if Herndon’s Police Chief can’t be bothered to actually enforce American law – should immediately locate and detain these people who have been identified as being fugitives from the law. I would counter the “might not report crime” argument by saying that if the illegals weren’t here to being with, they wouldn’t be reporting the crimes then, either. They wouldn’t be reporting them because they wouldn’t have been here to witness them. As for moving to Seven Corners… Well, non-local readers can be forgiven for not seeing the irony in that. Seven corners is about 16 miles from Herndon. Closer to Washington, DC.

The worry and fear the article discusses is occasioned by the Herndon Town Council’s move to apply for entry into a federal program called Section 287(g) which trains local police forces to accurately recognize when a suspect stopped in relation to some other crime is also an illegal alien. Those officers can then arrest them and begin deportation processes ahead of involvment by federal agencies. In short, local law enforcement is being utilized to enforce the laws of this country locally.

And this is a problem for some folks. Apparently, that includes Herndon’s Police Chief. Take note of this exchange, also:

Bestway customer Marvin Alexander, 30, a Salvadoran in the country illegally, said he is concerned about the changes the new council will bring. He said Herndon police recently stopped an acquaintance of his, also an illegal immigrant, who did not have a license. Officers did not cite her.

“Imagine if that happened now,” Alexander said.

Imagine indeed. Or, rather, imagine what would happen if, say, I were stopped by the Herndon police and did not produce a license to drive a car. Think they wouldn’t have cited me? I think they would have, knowing the reputation of the Herndon police as I do. And why shouldn’t they? It’s an offense for which citing is perfectly appropriate and yet, here, it wasn’t done. Curious.

There are those who immediately jump to the ad hominem attack, claiming that even the application for entry into the Section 287(g) program represents a move by people who are “anti-immigrant” or “anti-diversity.” There’s a reason such attacks are called “logical fallacies.” First, simply calling people names does nothing to refute their arguments. Second, a desire to see our laws upheld does not mean someone is anti-immigrant. I work with immigrants daily and they’re fine people. My daughter’s teacher for the past 2 years was an immigrant and there’s no one on Earth I’d trust more with my daughter’s safety and education. This teacher followed the law, however, and came here in accordance with them. That makes the difference, not whether she represents “enthic diversity.”

Immigration is a powerful force in American history and should remain so for our future as well. It is imperative, however, that America maintain control over the flow rate and security of the process. When people take it upon themselves to infiltrate American society in violation of our laws, they demonstrate a lack of respect for our laws specifically and our society in general. They want the benefits without having to live up to the responsibility. This is unacceptable and it’s unfair to the true immigrants who follow the rules. All the name-calling in the world will not change that basic fact and no amount of hand-wringing over making illegals worry will offer a defense for being an enabler. The Town Council of Herndon has taken their cue from the clear will of the citizens of Herndon in opting to have their police force work in cooperation with our immigrations agencies, as they should. The police force needs to step up to the duty.