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Letter: What good are laws unenforced?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 | 7:16 a.m.

Recently a federal judge issued a decision in the matter of Hazelton, Pa., and its ordinance regarding illegal immigrants. This decision is quite interesting in that it spouts the usual rhetoric about the enforcement of illegal immigration being solely within the purview of the federal government, but then throws in a completely new argument.

The Associated Press reported that the judge "wrote that Hazelton's law was at odds with current federal immigration policy, which he said avoids 'excessive enforcement' against illegal immigrants so as not to jeopardize foreign relations. Hazelton, he said, failed to consider 'the implications of the ordinances on foreign policy.' "

The term "excessive enforcement" is a bit strange. Is immigration law on the books to be enforced or on the books for mere window dressing?

I believe it's time the citizenry ask of our elected officials what is the official policy on illegal immigration. What surreptitious policies has this government entered into with countries furnishing illegal immigrants? Is this the reason the United States is entering into the "Security and Prosperity Partnership" agreement with Mexico?

John C. Lovelace, St. George, Utah

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