The Shellys. No, the other Shellys

So .... way to go, Arizona. Thanks.

Actually, I don't get the huge fuss about the new law that Arizona has passed. It's kind of funny, because I don't feel it should be a law anyways. Basically, it's saying if you're in the country (or in this case, Arizona) illegally, you are breaking the law. Duh. If you're here in the country legally, you have nothing to worry about, have proper ID and be prepared to present to authorities if asked .... which is pretty much required, anyways. And though no one likes to say it, illegal immigration is a huge problem that or country needs to address, only it is afraid to do so as it sets off a shitstorm of political correctness and moral handwringing. Listen, newsflash: Immigration itself is not illegal. There are legal opportunities for citizens of foreign countries to legally enter our country, and if they so choose, pursue legal citizenship status. There's nothing wrong with that - I, in fact, encourage it. But if people are in the country illegally, they are breaking the law of our country, and so country as mandated by its legal citizenship is required to act upon their crime. This is like saying we shouldn't legally punish other criminals. There are laws in our country that are enacted and should be enforced for our protection and, dare I say it, the protection of our resources. Immigration is not separate and immune from this. I would, in fact, say that illegal immigration is a tremendous threat to our security (who are these people? what are they bringing in?) while also being a drain on public resources (I see this firsthand every day with different state aid programs) and handicaps our society's abilities to ably serve its legal constituents (job and revenue opportunity lost to citizens) . So what's the big deals? Ah yeah, the "morals" of it ....

I found this quote through a friend's Facebook page, and I found it pretty interesting:

" Enforcement without compassion is immoral. Enforcement that breaks up families is unacceptable. And enforcement of this law would force us to violate our Christian conscience, which we simply will not do. It makes it illegal to love your neighbor in Arizona." - Jim Wallis

I don't know much about Wallis or what he believes about things, generally. I know enough about to him to know I agree with him at least sometimes, as do a lot of friends and people I personally respect. However, I believe he is wrong in nearly every point he says here. Let me break it down for you.

"Enforcement without compassion is immoral."

Ethically, yes, I agree with this. I did not read the fuller context of this quote, but I think it's safe to assume he meant compassion in the way of Jesus, i.e, "love the sinner, hate the sin," "let he without sin cast the first stone," etc. Which I agree with, completely. However, there are ramifications of your trespasses (yes, I used that word intentionally), and while we can "feel bad" for the transgressor, there is still the dirty matter of the transgression to deal with, especially when it "hurts" others. This is true of anything. I say something meanspirited out of frustration to my wife, she can forgive me and understand I was frustrated; however, her feelings can still be hurt and we have to find a way to make things right (note: this scenario doesn't happen often. I'm a saint. Just take my word for it :)).

All that to say, this can be enforced with compassion. Let's say someone's found to be an illegal immigrant in Arizona, but they have a kid who was born here, and thus an American citizen, so they shouldn't be deported, it'll break up the family, on and on and on. Yes, that's a horrible situation. A strict reading and enforcement of the law says "Too bad. Your ass is out of here, the kid stays. Shoulda obeyed the law. Tough shit." You and I and your dog knows that when (not "if", "when") this scenario arises, there will be a way to address it, and I think it'll be safe to assume it'd be a way to address the violation of the law appropriately, while also trying to find a way to make things work. This part of legislation, as far as I have read, has not been drafted yet. Wait and see how that goes before jumping to conclusions about how it'll go - assumptions can be dangerous and usually misleading.

"Enforcement that breaks up families is unacceptable."

Again, the jumping to conclusions part. What's interesting to me, though, is something that I have not seen mentioned or thought about once by anyone yet. Illegal immigration actually helps support the breaking up of families of those immigrants. Yes, you read that right. Here's how:

The past two summers I have gone on a missions trip to Mexico and have gone to some pretty remote mountain villages which I couldn't even point to on a map. One startling thing in a lot of the villages: No males in the general 18 - 50something range. Well, okay, a few here and there, but there's lots of women, lots of kids, some old folks of both genders, but almost no men, at least without a readily apparent disability of some kind. I asked several townspeople about this, and they all basically said, "They have gone to the U.S. to make money. They used to send some back, now we don't get it too often." In fact, it's a pretty common story in these towns that a young man will grow up, hit his teens, have a kid or two by the time they're late teen, then they'll get up and go and never come back. It's reasonable to assume that at least a good amount of them came in illegally and pick crops and daylabor somewhere Some of the town women who shared this were moved to tears by their hurt and their longing to have back these men who they loved and meant much to them and men who could be father figures to their children. It's these families that get broken up. It is such a real and prevalent problem that the churchpeople in the villages asked those who worked with the children to implore them to stay with the families they were part of and would help to create. They're not as visible in our world, but they're just as real, and their pain is just as real if not more so. And perhaps with stronger enforcement of our country's laws, we could encourage more of them to stay and be the husbands and fathers that their families need.

"And enforcement of this law would force us to violate our Christian conscience, which we simply will not do. It makes it illegal to love your neighbor in Arizona."

I counter with a quote by this pretty famous Jewish rabbi .... his name is Jesus, and he kinda helped start this whole Christianity thing:

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21b)

There's different ways to interpret this, I guess, but what I take is this: Obey the laws of your land, of the government God has set in place over you, unless it is clearly against the law and will of God. This isn't Nazi Germany we're talking about. We are talking about the enforcement of a law saying "those who are breaking the law are breaking the law." It does not ask us to hate or spit on those who are here illegally. It does not ask us to commit crimes against them. It does not ask us to, well, do or say or feel anything. And it doesn't say you cannot love or have compassion for illegal immigrants; it makes no move to legislate movements of the spirit and heart. It just says, if you're guilty of doing something wrong, you may be disciplined. And if it makes you feel better, unless you're a police officer or judge, you probably won't be enforcing it anyways.

I'm sure it'll be messy in Arizona for a while, but to be honest, I hope similar legislation passes elsewhere, as many states, even Pennsylvania, have illegal immigration issues. And I know there will be screw-ups along the way as it moves from legislation to implementation, but with patience and careful preparation, it can be successful. There are legitimate questions of profiling, no doubt, but again, let's see how things shake out before assuming anyone's fears and concerns become reality.

And I think I'll keep my driver's license on me at all times, in case the cops think I'm an off-the-boat Irish immigrant pursuing me lucky charms.