Letters to the editor
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Opinion
Laws govern immigration for good reason
Our Constitution states: "The Congress shall have the power to ... establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization."
We have laws in place. They are flawed and poorly enforced, but they are the laws of the land. To disregard them on the basis of individual opinion is to invite disregard of laws objectionable to those very individuals and is a violation of the republic's opinion as manifested in law.
Everyone dislikes some law; that does not give anyone the right to violate it. Opinion does not negate violation of constitutional law. It undermines the greatness of our nation to act as though it does. It insults and diminishes the greatness of our naturalized citizens. It will invariably pave the road to more damaging violation of the law.
The truth is that many think, as I, that it is too long of a process to become a citizen of this great nation.
That said, there are laws governing immigration for a reason. To be a citizen of this country, it is important to have a respect for laws. That respect is first shown in the process that currently exists.
We also need to know who is here for a variety of obvious reasons, mostly other laws, the enforcement of which necessitates that knowledge.
I believe that a high percentage of illegals would make wonderful citizens. We should reform our laws, but we should enforce our current laws until we reform them.
I encourage everyone to pursue law reform to give illegals legal access to our schools. Any conversation about tuition or educational fairness to illegals is purposeless until they are rendered legal in a way equitable to those who have respected our immigration laws.
Only then should current illegals share in and add to the greatness of this nation.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance worker II
Recycling
Candidates won't stop illegal immigration
This year is already slated to be a setback for the rule of law, nationally and in Arkansas.
Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama and vice presidential candidate Joe Biden have consistently supported amnesties for illegal immigrants, including benefits at American taxpayers' expense.
Both Obama and Biden have an 8 percent rating from U.S. Border Control, indicating an open-borders stance.
The Republican ticket is hardly better, as John McCain, a long-time global elitist and Council on Foreign Relations member, was one of the chief proponents of the amnesty proposals of the last few years, and Sarah Palin took no action against the two sanctuary cities in Alaska - Anchorage and Fairbanks - while governor, and she is already compromising her positions to be McCain's running mate.
On an equally sad note, over the summer, the Secure Arkansas petition drive led by Jeannie Burlsworth of Bryant fell a couple thousand signatures short of qualifying for the November ballot, meaning Arkansas is still going to have a continued influx of illegal immigrants (and correlating problems) that will not be brought under control soon unless acts are initiated against it.
Also noteworthy was the berating of Burlsworth in August by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist George Arnold, who mocked her warnings against the coming North American Union and its elimination of our national borders as the motive behind the amnesty proposals, as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement Superhighway as part of the NAU program, insinuating this highway plan as fiction. The plan actually is real, progressing rapidly, and one I have known about for at least three years, mind you.
May UA students and the American public step up and end the insanity of illegal immigration and the careers of the politicians who promote it instead of the rule of law.
Mark McCollum
Junior
Civil engineering
Students should be heard regardless of administration
As a freshman student with Associated Student Government political aspirations, I scoff at the notion that the ASG must be concerned about offending the chancellor.
Believe me, in federal Congress, there is absolutely no effort by members to take concern to the feelings of the president. Elected officials take no hesitation in making their points heard; thus, neither should members of the ASG.
If the purpose of student government is to provide interest in the democratic system, then there should be no reservations as to the emotions and feelings felt by elected officials and their constituents.
Provided my election next fall, I look forward to working with Chancellor G. David Gearhart, but make no mistake, the students' voices must be heard with no reservations on the passion of the issue.
Charles Guerriero
Senior
Political science
Our Constitution states: "The Congress shall have the power to ... establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization."
We have laws in place. They are flawed and poorly enforced, but they are the laws of the land. To disregard them on the basis of individual opinion is to invite disregard of laws objectionable to those very individuals and is a violation of the republic's opinion as manifested in law.
Everyone dislikes some law; that does not give anyone the right to violate it. Opinion does not negate violation of constitutional law. It undermines the greatness of our nation to act as though it does. It insults and diminishes the greatness of our naturalized citizens. It will invariably pave the road to more damaging violation of the law.
The truth is that many think, as I, that it is too long of a process to become a citizen of this great nation.
That said, there are laws governing immigration for a reason. To be a citizen of this country, it is important to have a respect for laws. That respect is first shown in the process that currently exists.
We also need to know who is here for a variety of obvious reasons, mostly other laws, the enforcement of which necessitates that knowledge.
I believe that a high percentage of illegals would make wonderful citizens. We should reform our laws, but we should enforce our current laws until we reform them.
I encourage everyone to pursue law reform to give illegals legal access to our schools. Any conversation about tuition or educational fairness to illegals is purposeless until they are rendered legal in a way equitable to those who have respected our immigration laws.
Only then should current illegals share in and add to the greatness of this nation.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance worker II
Recycling
Candidates won't stop illegal immigration
This year is already slated to be a setback for the rule of law, nationally and in Arkansas.
Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama and vice presidential candidate Joe Biden have consistently supported amnesties for illegal immigrants, including benefits at American taxpayers' expense.
Both Obama and Biden have an 8 percent rating from U.S. Border Control, indicating an open-borders stance.
The Republican ticket is hardly better, as John McCain, a long-time global elitist and Council on Foreign Relations member, was one of the chief proponents of the amnesty proposals of the last few years, and Sarah Palin took no action against the two sanctuary cities in Alaska - Anchorage and Fairbanks - while governor, and she is already compromising her positions to be McCain's running mate.
On an equally sad note, over the summer, the Secure Arkansas petition drive led by Jeannie Burlsworth of Bryant fell a couple thousand signatures short of qualifying for the November ballot, meaning Arkansas is still going to have a continued influx of illegal immigrants (and correlating problems) that will not be brought under control soon unless acts are initiated against it.
Also noteworthy was the berating of Burlsworth in August by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist George Arnold, who mocked her warnings against the coming North American Union and its elimination of our national borders as the motive behind the amnesty proposals, as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement Superhighway as part of the NAU program, insinuating this highway plan as fiction. The plan actually is real, progressing rapidly, and one I have known about for at least three years, mind you.
May UA students and the American public step up and end the insanity of illegal immigration and the careers of the politicians who promote it instead of the rule of law.
Mark McCollum
Junior
Civil engineering
Students should be heard regardless of administration
As a freshman student with Associated Student Government political aspirations, I scoff at the notion that the ASG must be concerned about offending the chancellor.
Believe me, in federal Congress, there is absolutely no effort by members to take concern to the feelings of the president. Elected officials take no hesitation in making their points heard; thus, neither should members of the ASG.
If the purpose of student government is to provide interest in the democratic system, then there should be no reservations as to the emotions and feelings felt by elected officials and their constituents.
Provided my election next fall, I look forward to working with Chancellor G. David Gearhart, but make no mistake, the students' voices must be heard with no reservations on the passion of the issue.
Charles Guerriero
Senior
Political science
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