Local Immigration Issue

Voters across Chesterfield are gearing up for the last 50 days before the elections this Fall and as the debates begin with the forums across the county it is becoming readily apparent that the two most important issues residents are talking about are:

1. Growth: Roads & Schools
2. Impacts of Illegal Immigration

The latter I am sure will be a prime focus on the debate among candidates for Chesterfield Sheriff scheduled for October 10th at the Central Library at 7PM.

In the meantime, Chesterfield County officials are currently considering an ordinance that will set limits on the number the persons able to live together in a single house or apartment. Officials are reviewing implementing a square footage requirement in determing the numbers of person permitted to live in a given home. The County currently does not have a restriction regarding the number of "family members" that may reside in any given location as long as they are related to the owner/tenant of record.

The timing of this comes when Chesterfield, like many Virginia localties, are addressing the impacts of "illegal" immigration. Many localties feel forced to solve the issue of "illegal" immigration due the the failure of the Federal government to meet its burden on dealing with the issue on a national level.

It appears as if America is experiencing a government system on the brink of coming full circle with regard to states rights under the Federal System. The more the Federal government fails to meet its mandated burden more States will be forced to take action in dealing the impacts that the negligence of enforcement policy has created. The Federal government is forcing the hands of localities, some of which have determined to establish "sauctuary" areas for illegal aliens while other have sought to identify and remove illegals from their streets buy other means.

Many opponents to the enforcement of the laws regarding illegal immigration may be crying foul, but should they not also be focusing some of their energy toward the Congress who has managed to provide zero solutions? It amazes me how certain cities can publically snub the rule of law in the land and still cry for federal funds for their juristictions. It must be great to live in a city where the local government can determine which laws passed by Congress they seek to abide by and which ones they do not.

If I recall did we not fight a Civil War under such arrogance of ideology.

The only difference lies in the fact that during that conflict we had a Federal government willing to hold true to the rule of law and go to war to preserve it. Apparently, this Federal government is content on allowing the laws that it is tasked with upholding to play second or third fiddle to the politics of the day. I wonder just what other laws they might be willing to turn a blind eye to if it meant that it could be used as a wedge or a means to divide this country.

I think the politicians are entering dangerous territory. We have already seen the rage of the left and its attacking of State Republicans as "haters" and "racists"for focusing on the "illegal" immigration issue as of late. The perception of the left is the Republicans are using the issue to distract voters from its failed transportation agenda and however accurate they may or may not be it does not change the fact that main street wants solutions for this issue. Its far easier to attack the messengers but it does not change the fact that the incompetence of both legal parties to address the issue at the Federal level has left local governments with the burden of attempting to provide solutions to its constituents. Its as if the political machine of the far left is simply rollong over its opposition for the war into the immigration debate and I think that is a very dangerous game to be playing. I do not think you can treat the two debates in like manner in that there has to be a sensitivity involved in the immigration debate in that it truly does "impact" everyone. Unfortunately, the war in Iraq has not met that thresold with regard to the public and furthermore the average American can and does feel the results of the failed immigration policy.

The fallout of the divide can be seen in such areas like Manassas and Prince William County where groups are taking up sides on the issue and mobilizing efforts to bring about resolution. Ohter juristictions realize that if PWC passes significant ordinances against "illegals" than the illegals will be sure to move to areas where access to services would not be so prohibitive or at the very least easier to get. Counties such as Stafford and Spotsylvania may very well have to brace for that impact. This is why it is crucial that all localties begin to look at the issue and address the concerns of its residents and develop a comprehensive plan with regard to "illegal" immigration.

In Chesterfield, the housing ordinance would begin to address the community' concern regarding the numbers of people residing within homes and standarize the number based on square footage. If an ordinance can be created to limit the size of a house on a particular lot, you would think that an ordinance could also be passed to limit the number of people who can reside in that house but there will certainly be opposition to such a measure.

It will be interesting to see how the opposition shapes its arguement moving forward. The arguement that it is the Federal governments responsibility to solve the illegal immigration problem will not fly in the face of the fact that the Federal government has no intention of solving it and in doing so is asking citizens to go along with the status quo and that is simply unacceptable.

This issue will not be going away. If the Democrats want to leave the debate of potential solutions to the State GOP so be it.