U.S. invites illegal behavior in immigrants

“Much has been said about using identity theft laws to round up illegal immigrants in the six-state raid at Swift & Co. meat processing plants. Some observers said it was the long-awaited application of the full weight of U.S. statutes to curb what has become an old practice among immigrants. For others it was a sinister and untimely crackdown on an immigration violation normally considered a misdemeanor.

But I say it is a big disappointment all around. People whose intention was to get work used stolen information, such as Social Security numbers. U.S. officials intending to do their jobs used a law meant for a far more serious crime as justification for the crackdown. Both sides are guilty of weakening the rule of law — a taste of home we Latino immigrants really could do without.”

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