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In the 'Is it as simple as "Illegal is Illegal?"' editorial, you mention how simply applying the rule of law denies the realities of the situation. Even a strict enforcement as seen by its supporters denies the realities.
Most of the people I've talked to who share the "enforce the law" immigration sentiment interpret that as "throw them all back." However, when I ask them about what penalty employers of those illegal immigrants should receive, they are caught off-guard by the question.
Being an immigrant myself I know some who are not here legally. All their stories have a familiar theme: "I crossed the border, I found a job, and here I am." They are here because they could readily find paying jobs. In the strict "the law is the law" mentality, hiring an illegal immigrant is just as much of a crime as being here illegally yet most proposed enforcement measures ignore punishment to the employers. (I'm glad there is one bill this year that addresses that.)
Another side to the strict immigration law enforcement I have yet to have seen proposed at the state level is to accelerate the legal process. I know many foreigners who are in limbo because USCIS simply takes too long to process applications. If people meet all the legal requirements for legal residency, shouldn't the law force governments to fund USCIS adequately to grant immigrants their rights? I know many people who are here in limbo, waiting years and even decades for USCIS to process their petitions which, if they were done more efficiently and speedily, would not be illegal anymore.
If the people want a full law enforcement approach then I will gladly welcome it, as long as it is comprehensive and deals with all aspects of the law that are being broken by illegal immigrants, legal residents and citizens, and even the government itself. If the "enforce the law" ideal is only going to punish the illegal immigrants then a call for justice is hypocritical and discriminatory.
