1. Immigration is a federal issue. This type of legislation attempts an end run around federal jurisdiction.

2. This type of legislation is anti-capitalistic. It creates an unfunded government mandate that places the responsibility of enforcement on private industry.  Furthermore, it punishes private industry for the government's failure.

3. This type of legislation exacerbates poverty and welfare issues. By denying employment to undocumented workers, the government effectively thrusts families into poverty.  They're not going to return to Mexico, and anyone who believes this type of legislation will incent them to go back does not have a clue about reality.

4. And for the above reason, this type of legislation directly harms families and children. What a disgrace, Arizona. The city of Farmer's Branch in my part of Texas tried this several months ago. Legal challenges have kept the legislation from being implemented, thank goodness.


-- Edited by Roper at 12:10, 2007-07-03

The nation is not gonna fracture along party lines over this issue... People are going to lose interest in it more as there is less talk about it in the media and from the politicians.

Those states that are hit hardest by the issue will do what they can within their own power to disincent illegal and unethical behavior. If that means revoking business licenses, then that is well within their legal right. The federal government does not issue business licenses, state and local governments do. The feds simply issue federal tax I.D.s and some employment laws if you have more than a given number of employees (and regulations concerning interstate commerce). The rest is all state.

What we might see is the states banding together to challenge the power of the federal government, and may try using the court system to take the power to act from the federal government. Will they be successful? Doubtful.