Post by Freehold Resident on Oct 24, 2006 16:23:41 GMT -5
Mr. Levine wrote this letter awhile ago. Just thought I would add it.
Asbury Park Press
March 21, 2004
Section: C
Page: 03
Time to make federal case of failure to immigration laws
MARC LeVINE
OPED
I recently spoke with a key representative of one of the immigrant rights groups embroiled in Freehold's bitter day laborer dispute. He seemed to have a difficult time understanding why I so strongly oppose illegal immigration and defend the immigration laws of our government.
He asked me if I trusted our government and then condemned politicians for being corrupt in encouraging foreigners to jump our borders to serve their political needs and those of "big business."
In his view, our government has the authority and resources to stop illegal immigrants from coming here, but refuses to enforce its own laws to ensure plenty of cheap labor for companies that could care less about the wishes of the American people or towns like Freehold. "Big business" cares only about making more money and using the North American Free Trade Agreement as an excuse to hire cheap labor on both sides of the Mexican border, he said.
I must admit I felt a little like Tom Cruise in the movie "A Few Good Men" when Jack Nicholson's military character shot back with "You can't handle the truth." I was being confronted by a foreign-born gentleman, who came here for a better life himself, criticizing the U.S. government and its selectivity in law enforcement for the sake of political advantage. He made America seem "dirty" and hopeless. Sadly enough, he was right on several points.
My recent experiences with the PEOPLE group and with our local government's efforts to gain federal government assistance in dealing with immigration issues has taught me just how important insisting on law enforcement really must be for all Americans. Given the questionable intent of many American politicians, laws are the only constant we can rely on.
Our laws were created to protect us from many forms of abuse. Much thought and debate has gone into proposing and passing laws to prevent anarchy and to protect our rights. However, politicians and their parties have often showed themselves as corrupt, deceitful and out of touch with their constituents.
Case in point: Freehold residents' many letters to our representatives have yielded form letter replies and stock answers from key Washington and Trenton officials who have no political will to enforce immigration laws already on the books and are in immediate need of compliance and reform. Each response we have received has thanked us for our interest in these matters and promises that our concerns will be taken into consideration. In other words, we are being patronized by our elected officials, in whom we place our trust to administer justice and fulfill their sworn oaths to uphold the law. Shame on them.
Shouldn't we all be embarrassed when foreign nationals point out our government's impotence with regard to matters of law and democracy? True, the criticisms leveled against our government are being presented by some foreign-born critics who, remarkably, seek relief through the American legal system when immigration laws are enforced. The hypocrisy on both sides is shameful. This is why we need established legal boundaries now more than ever.
American citizens have no choice but to hold our elected officials and the court system accountable for their actions and inactions related to illegal immigration in this country, and especially in small towns like Freehold. It is because of them that we now find ourselves outmanned and outgunned in exercising our rights and authority in matters that deeply concern us.
In such a case, we are left with only a few options. But the options we do have are quite powerful. The votes we cast to elect our officials are of utmost importance, as is our right to bring suit against our government for failure to enforce its own immigration laws. The opportunity to vote comes in November and must be carefully considered when electing our next president. The lawsuit avenue is available to us at any time. It has already been acted upon by a few patriots willing to risk their effort, time and significant cost. It seems worth all this to reaffirm our standing as a nation of law and convince Washington that insiders can no longer hide from the painful sting of national outcry.
We must come together as people for or against illegal immigration and hold our debates in full public view. Together, we must insist that our government leaders adopt a position on this issue and bring closure to the matter. The outcome must respect the needs of all Americans, not just those of powerful lobbyists who seek to undermine Main Street USA to serve their own special interests.
Until we all recognize where the real fight must take place, the battles will remain on our streets rather than within the halls of justice. Let us come together and take the high ground in this campaign. In doing so, we will regain the only power that awed our forefathers and will bring our current elected officials to their knees - the will of the people.
We can begin with PEOPLE, area residents and immigration rights groups opening a dialogue that will lead to us speaking with one voice and demanding that our government act to create a clear immigration policy that everyone can respect and adhere to.
Marc LeVine, a former Freehold Borough Council member, is founder of PEOPLE (Pressing Our Elected Officials to Protect Our Living Environment).
Asbury Park Press
March 21, 2004
Section: C
Page: 03
Time to make federal case of failure to immigration laws
MARC LeVINE
OPED
I recently spoke with a key representative of one of the immigrant rights groups embroiled in Freehold's bitter day laborer dispute. He seemed to have a difficult time understanding why I so strongly oppose illegal immigration and defend the immigration laws of our government.
He asked me if I trusted our government and then condemned politicians for being corrupt in encouraging foreigners to jump our borders to serve their political needs and those of "big business."
In his view, our government has the authority and resources to stop illegal immigrants from coming here, but refuses to enforce its own laws to ensure plenty of cheap labor for companies that could care less about the wishes of the American people or towns like Freehold. "Big business" cares only about making more money and using the North American Free Trade Agreement as an excuse to hire cheap labor on both sides of the Mexican border, he said.
I must admit I felt a little like Tom Cruise in the movie "A Few Good Men" when Jack Nicholson's military character shot back with "You can't handle the truth." I was being confronted by a foreign-born gentleman, who came here for a better life himself, criticizing the U.S. government and its selectivity in law enforcement for the sake of political advantage. He made America seem "dirty" and hopeless. Sadly enough, he was right on several points.
My recent experiences with the PEOPLE group and with our local government's efforts to gain federal government assistance in dealing with immigration issues has taught me just how important insisting on law enforcement really must be for all Americans. Given the questionable intent of many American politicians, laws are the only constant we can rely on.
Our laws were created to protect us from many forms of abuse. Much thought and debate has gone into proposing and passing laws to prevent anarchy and to protect our rights. However, politicians and their parties have often showed themselves as corrupt, deceitful and out of touch with their constituents.
Case in point: Freehold residents' many letters to our representatives have yielded form letter replies and stock answers from key Washington and Trenton officials who have no political will to enforce immigration laws already on the books and are in immediate need of compliance and reform. Each response we have received has thanked us for our interest in these matters and promises that our concerns will be taken into consideration. In other words, we are being patronized by our elected officials, in whom we place our trust to administer justice and fulfill their sworn oaths to uphold the law. Shame on them.
Shouldn't we all be embarrassed when foreign nationals point out our government's impotence with regard to matters of law and democracy? True, the criticisms leveled against our government are being presented by some foreign-born critics who, remarkably, seek relief through the American legal system when immigration laws are enforced. The hypocrisy on both sides is shameful. This is why we need established legal boundaries now more than ever.
American citizens have no choice but to hold our elected officials and the court system accountable for their actions and inactions related to illegal immigration in this country, and especially in small towns like Freehold. It is because of them that we now find ourselves outmanned and outgunned in exercising our rights and authority in matters that deeply concern us.
In such a case, we are left with only a few options. But the options we do have are quite powerful. The votes we cast to elect our officials are of utmost importance, as is our right to bring suit against our government for failure to enforce its own immigration laws. The opportunity to vote comes in November and must be carefully considered when electing our next president. The lawsuit avenue is available to us at any time. It has already been acted upon by a few patriots willing to risk their effort, time and significant cost. It seems worth all this to reaffirm our standing as a nation of law and convince Washington that insiders can no longer hide from the painful sting of national outcry.
We must come together as people for or against illegal immigration and hold our debates in full public view. Together, we must insist that our government leaders adopt a position on this issue and bring closure to the matter. The outcome must respect the needs of all Americans, not just those of powerful lobbyists who seek to undermine Main Street USA to serve their own special interests.
Until we all recognize where the real fight must take place, the battles will remain on our streets rather than within the halls of justice. Let us come together and take the high ground in this campaign. In doing so, we will regain the only power that awed our forefathers and will bring our current elected officials to their knees - the will of the people.
We can begin with PEOPLE, area residents and immigration rights groups opening a dialogue that will lead to us speaking with one voice and demanding that our government act to create a clear immigration policy that everyone can respect and adhere to.
Marc LeVine, a former Freehold Borough Council member, is founder of PEOPLE (Pressing Our Elected Officials to Protect Our Living Environment).