Where’s ICE?

Today, while most of the nation is focused on the Health Care Reform bill, upwards of 10,000 people are anticipated to protest the United States’ immigration policy on the Mall. As these folks gather, I’m left to wonder: where is ICE?

For those who don’t know, ICE is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, the arm of Homeland Security tasked with enforcing US immigration policy. That includes rounding up those who are here illegally and sending them back from whence they came. Yet, despite having thousands of illegal immigrants in one place protesting the fact that they are not even supposed to be here, it’s doubtful that a single ICE agent will be found in attendance. The reason is incredibly simple: this administration, like most of its predecessors, selectively enforces immigration laws.

It’s a political consideration. President Obama, rather than risk alienating the Hispanic community, has decided that rounding up and deporting illegal immigrants is not wise policy. Never mind that the executive branch of the government is Constitutionally obligated to enforce the laws passed by the Congress. Never mind that most of those on he Mall today readily admit that they are law-breakers by residing in our country. The President has calculated that were the law to be enforced he would lose more votes than if he were to enforce it.

Rather, the administration is concentrating on immigration “reform.” If you think you’ve heard this before, it’s because you have. This isn’t the first administration to talk about most of the ideas being bantered as “reform” for America’s immigration system: universal ID cards, amnesty for illegal immigrants already here, tougher enforcement of whatever the new laws might be. The same ideas have been tossed around Washington for at least the last 15 years, taking different forms and with different aspects being emphasized.

Enough already. Enforce the laws we have, Mr. President. And you can start today – by simply visiting the Mall and rounding up a few thousand criminals.