Posted by
Jason Cunningham on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 2:03:50 AM
The Saturday, July 14, Los Angeles Times includes a story about a resolution passed in Virginia that would bar illegal immigrants from many government benefits and expand enforcement. The law, if it withstands legal challenges, would be the toughest in the nation, making it illegal for illegals to even use municipal swimming pools or check out books from the library. Said Kathleen Walker, national president of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn.: “They are seeking to root out any possible benefit they might be able to cut off from someone, no matter what their age, because they are not here on a documented status. The cruelty of this is just astounding.”
Her ignorance is what’s astounding. Why is it so hard for some people to grasp the concept of “legal residence,” and that being here illegally disqualifies you from benefits? If someone sneaks into a movie theater without paying and gets caught, should they be allowed to stay?