Executive Order or Not, Deportations Are Plummeting

While the country waits to find out if President Obama’s executive order on immigration will be struck down by the judiciary, the administration is forging ahead with weakened enforcement policies that will have a dramatic impact on the shape of the nation. Under official policy from the Department of Homeland Security, illegals will only be subject to deportation if they meet three criteria:

1. They are convicted of a crime
2. They are considered a terrorism threat
3. They have only recently come to the U.S.

Beyond that, say federal officials, illegal immigrants can generally rest easy. But some reports say that even immigrants who fall into the above categories have little to worry about. Low-level crimes like drugs and identity theft, for instance, may not put an illegal in danger of deportation. And plenty of recent cross-overs have found sanctuary in the United States by crying “refugee” or by coming from a home country that refuses to take them back.

But the hilarious thing is that even this is not enough to satisfy pro-immigration activists. “DHS is an agency that has terrorized our community for a really long time,” said activist Kica Matos, “so the level of distrust and fear is really big.”

Just let the absurdity of that statement sink in. A “community” of people who broke the law is complaining that immigration officials are…what? Enforcing the law? You know, come to think of it, that complaint sounds familiar. Where have we heard that before? Hmm…

Changing the Rules

Liberals have somehow managed to turn this into a human rights issue. As though it is a fundamental right to live in America, regardless of where you were born or how you chose to migrate. Breaking immigration laws, to them, is akin to a minor offense like forgetting to wear your seatbelt. Jail? Deportation? Don’t even think such a ghastly thing, you xenophobic Republican!

Anyone who wonders what happens when liberals gain control over the narrative need only review the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. Instead of arguing that changing the definition of marriage was abjectly ridiculous, many conservatives fell right into the liberal trap. They argued the matter in Biblical terms, leaving many Americans to shrug and say, “So what? Leave them alone.”

If we’re going to win the war on illegal immigration, we can’t afford to play by liberal rules. We can’t let a pro-enforcement stance turn into an anti-Hispanic stance. Nor can we go soft on deportation in an attempt to show the country how tolerant and compassionate we are. We need only point out the strong data showing what this influx is costing our society, ask that the law be enforced as written, and let liberals talk themselves in circles. We have to rise above and start using our heads. That alone will leave liberals puzzled and confused. Want to change the law? Change the law. But until then, the citizenry has the right to expect enforcement.