Looking at the facts in the Elvira Arellano story
Elvira Arellano, the poster child for the sanctuary movement that vows to shield illegal immigrants from possible deportation proceedings, left the Chicago church where she's captured media attention for a year and came to Los Angeles today, bolding stating that she wasn't afraid of being arrested and was going to campaign for immigration reform. One can guess that they were also hoping for a dramatic, camera-captured confrontation with immigration officials, which wasn't going to happen.
Now, this is a case where emotion runs high -- Arellano claims that she'd be separated from her son, who was born in the U.S. and therefore has citizenship here, if deported. The U.S. is cast as the big, bad government determined to rip children out of their parents' arms in its enforcement of immigration laws that are no secret to anyone. But to appropriately analyze this case -- sans emotion -- one has to step back and look at the facts:
Elvira Arellano first came to the U.S. illegally in 1997, was deported, and came back days later. Break a law, turn right around and do it again. So it was clear to her that there were consequences in not seeking legal residency. In 2000, she used a false Social Security number to get a job cleaning planes at O'Hare airport in Chicago. It doesn't matter what country they come from -- do we want anybody with a fraudulent Social Security card working at an airport? That's just basic, no-brainer national security. And another lawbreaking strike. Arellano would not have to be separated from her son. The two could move back to Mexico, and the son's citizenship could be a strong factor in her application for legal residency in the U.S. She could set the example for her son that, even though she'd taken lawless actions in the past, she would now take responsibility for those actions, respect the laws of the country of his birth, and come back to the U.S. the right way.
That's the problem with the sanctuary movement -- it makes for good, emotional sound bites, but usually the backstory isn't so black and white.
How old is Arellano's son? That could be the crux of the matter. She came here (illegally) in 1997 and was deported back South. I guess, that during the time she was here, she must have learned that by having a child in the USA, all legal or illegal matters would be settled in her favor. When was the child conceived?
Before she came back again illegally for the second time, or after she got here? If the child was conceived South of the border and brought to light North of the border this is a common premeditated plan that could be open to a nice debate...but I leave this to lawyers. Nevertheles, as a twice former immigrant I know one thing. To migrate (legally) to a country is a privilege and not a right. But many want to come here (illegally) sneak thru the enormous amount of loopholes we have in our laws and voilé, now they have the rights to ask for this or that, something they could not have done in their original country. A thought for Arellano. In Italy they have the same idiotic law. Enter Italy illegally, have a child and the child will be Italian and all we be right. If we change this law (birthright etc.) I wonder how many people will make the efford to come here?
As a immigrant myself - legal immigrant, mind you. I do have some simpathy for the illegal immigrant who come over the US seeking a better future - and to deny them of it's just un-human.
HOWEVER, Ms.Arellano was the worst thing that could have happened to the illegal immigrant's cause. She comes accross as a manipulative and abusive person.
You just don't go to your neighbor's house and demand to be served and treated as the owner of the house. It's basic manners...simple as that.
Timmy
The Mayor intends to look
into the arrest & deportation of Arellano.
He should make an effort to
remove the status of the
churches'501(c3)who are
clearly violating the laws
regarding illegal immigration.