The good news is that the Senate voted 89-1 today to strengthen enforcement at the border. It is a strong message that the Senators realize their folly from earlier this summer. I’m sure there are other motives because it is tied to the Homeland Security package and everyone wants to be on record supporting home defense.
There is quite a contrast between the media’s take on the bill yesterday and the vote today. Reporters were saying yesterday that Bush was against it and the Dems would never go for it. But today everyone is in favor.
Something smells here but I’m not sure what. We’ll see how it actually shakes out over the next few months. My guess is that there were some promises for leniency toward illegals if they got behind the enforcement part.
The bad…Federal Judge James Munley ruled that the Hazleton ordinance was unconstitutional. This is the local ordinance that made it illegal to harbor aliens (rent to them) and illegal to hire them. The ACLU is dancing in the streets.
The ugly? It is what Judge Munley wrote in his ruling. It must not be allowed to stand as precedent! If so it will give Constitutional protection to unlawfully present citizens of other countries. It will be more far reaching than the Plyler decision in 1981, declaring that all children from any country have a right to a free public education here.
Here’s what Munley wrote: “Even if federal law did not conflict with Hazleton's measures, the city could not enact an ordinance that violates rights the Constitution guarantees to every person in the United States, whether legal resident or not.”
This phrase alone would grant Constitutional rights to people who are here illegally. Like I say, we cannot allow that notion to stand. Mayor Barletta promises to appeal the ruling.
Note: Munley was appointed to the bench in 1998 by President William Jefferson Clinton, the gift that keeps on giving.
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