Arizona Got It Wrong
If you’ve ever traveled on highways near the U.S.-Mexico border, you have encountered checkpoints that have been established by the U.S. Border Patrol in our nation’s fight to stem the flow of illegal immigrants as well as to intercept illegal drugs.
These checkpoints are generally 20 to 30 miles from major cities on highways and are fairly permanent with a concrete slab and a large covered canopy.
Whenever I encounter these checkpoints, I’m generally asked two questions by a physically fit officer wearing a gun. The first one is, “where are you headed today, sir?” The second one is either, “are you a U.S. citizen?” or “what is your citizenship?”
As a U.S. citizen, I resent having to answer those questions. The only reason I do is that I want to continue my trip unimpeded. However, what business is it of the government’s to know where I am going today if I’m not doing anything illegal? And, why am I being asked my citizenship in my own country?
As Arizona enacts some sort of legislation to combat illegal immigration into the state because the federal government won’t do it, I find myself thinking that what they are doing is just plain wrong.
I have no idea how they are going to make U.S. citizens prove that they are in fact citizens, but I find it offensive that American citizens, no matter their ethnicity, may be asked to prove their citizenship.
We all know that the target of the legislation is people who have brown skin and may not be able to speak fluent English.
The truth, though, is that in many parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, there are brown-skinned people whose ancestors were in this part of the country long before many of my European ancestors got on the boat to come here.
Illegal immigration is a real problem in this country, but the way Arizona has decided to address it is just wrong. Do like New Mexico did and send the National Guard to the border.
Better yet, the federal government needs to step up to the plate and send the Army to stop the invasion.
Dear Mr. Sanders:
Thanks for your Post. I am one of those whose Ancestors have been in New Mexico for many Generations (Still tracing Family Tree). I travel various parts of Latin America (Including Mexico) and I get asked many times how difficult it was for me to get into the USA. They (Some) just have a hard time comprehending that some of us Brown People were actually Born in the USA. Hasta Luego Amigo!
Miguel (Mike) Valdez (aka Running Bare, not Bear)
EAC Alumni
Randy,
I applaud Arizona. I wish all the border states would pass this type legislation. If nothing else, to shame the federal government into doing what is expected at that level. We all know where this is headed however. A federal judge is going to say it is unconstitutional and it will be a moot point. If we don’t tame the tide of thugs that are coming in, we are going to see a whole lot of dead folks in the streets and it will be folks like Randy Sanders, Mike Valdez and this retired cop. It ain’t if, it is when.
God bless.
Ronnie Paul Sowell
The main reason they come here is for work. If there is no work, they will not come. Make Employers more accountable for hiring Illegals.