Letter on Immigration to Senator Feinstein (D, CA)

The opposition to illegal immigration is generally thought of as being a bunch of cranky old white guys. I'm sure most cranky old white guys do oppose illegal immigration, but they've got some interesting company. If you look at exit polling for the last several anti-illegal immigrant-type initiatives here in California (discontinuing social services for illegal aliens, making English the official language etc.), you'll find that around a quarter of Latinos voted for them statewide--and over a third of Democrats did too.

I'm one of those Democrats (who has always voted for you BTW). And ultimately my concern is not whether illegal aliens contribute to the economy or are a net expense, or whether particular illegal aliens would be a credit to society or prey upon it. I'm concerned with rule of law. I vacation in third world countries which are usually democracies but don't really enjoy rule of law--places like the Philippines and Indonesia--and I know from personal experience what a blessing it is to live in a country as law-abiding as this one.

I genuinely fear that we're sliding into a milieu where cheating is expected and playing fields are never level. The current bills in Congress do or do not grant amnesty to the millions of illegal immigrants currently here in California, depending on how you define amnesty. And in a building full of lawyers, as you are, there's no dearth of arguing about this. But let me suggest that the only definition that counts is the one the illegals themselves use: "Does it let me stay here?" If it does, they consider it amnesty.

And if we do that, what ensues will make the 3 million person amnesty of 1986 and the 12 million (?) person amnesty of 2007 look like a drop in the bucket. Beyond the vast numbers who will come, we will also be saying to Americans, to would-be legal immigrants, and to the world, that America always gives in if you just turn up the heat enough.

We'll gradually turn into the Philippines, which has great laws on the books. Trouble is they never get to the streets. Please don't let that happen to this country. Your own grandchildren will not benefit from it. Nor will mine.