FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama has a pretty big to-do list for Congress this spring: Financial reform, an overhaul of No Child Left Behind, the closing of some campaign finance loopholes, maybe even a clean energy bill. But illegal immigration? Still nothing.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/29/art.border.jpg caption="A section of fence along the U.S./Mexico border."]
On NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said despite promising an immigration bill in his first year of office, President Obama has done "almost nothing" on immigration.
Meanwhile, our border states in particular continue to be overrun with illegal aliens, and Washington could care less. Eight and a half years after 9/11 and we won't even secure the nation's borders.
In Arizona, police may soon be allowed to arrest illegal immigrants on trespassing charges for simply being in the state. There are currently 460,000 of them in Arizona alone. In addition, it would become a felony to employ them even as day laborers and transporting them anywhere in the state, even family members.
The bill's cleared the state senate and Governor Jan Brewer has indicated she will sign it. It would be the toughest law of its kind in the country.
But don't ask Senator John McCain about it. McCain, who was home campaigning this weekend, once backed a bipartisan effort in Congress to grant illegal immigrants amnesty. But he refuses to answer questions on where he stands on this state bill.
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to illegal immigration, should the states be allowed to do what the federal government refuses to do?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Paulette in Dallas, Pennsylvania writes:
Yes. The states are the only ones addressing the problem, and they alone have to put up with all the troubles. Let each state handle the situation the way they see fit.
Loren writes:
Yes. I understand why the Democrats are looking for ways to legalize illegal immigrants, they view them as supporters, but I find that level of cynicism disheartening. Giving legitimacy to something illegal does nothing to encourage respect for all laws and ultimately our country.
Joe writes:
Not just the border states. Look around in Maryland or the Chicago/Milwaukee area or in Virginia and especially Georgia. Of course the states should be able to enforce the law. The federal government should crack-down on sanctuary cities and other jurisdictions that openly advertise that they do not enforce federal law. This is treasonous.
Annie in Atlanta, Georgia writes:
That’s a tough one. These people contribute to local economies, while the expense of deporting them will be costly in comparison. And giving States that kind of authority will ultimately result in racial profiling.
Larry in Georgetown, Texas writes:
This entire issue is stupid. Yes, the states should be allowed to take the necessary action to eliminate these people from U.S. soil and the sooner the better. I hope that Arizona goes for it to set an example to the other states that we must be pro-active.
Gary writes:
You're damn right, Jack. Places like El Paso, Texas, Douglas and Nogales, Arizona are like war zones. An Arizona rancher was shot and killed on his ranch near the border over this past weekend. An example of just how blatant things have gotten. The Feds refuse to address the issue so, yes, states should be allowed to enforce the border.