Cal Thomas: Hit the Road, Jack

Carolyn Hileman - The Voice* | March 2, 2008

There is no right to come to America, but there is an obligation to obey the same laws everyone else has to obey or suffer the consequences. Virginia and at least two of its jurisdictions are onto something. Other states and localities might wish to consider a similar approach. The federal government seems to be getting the message. Perhaps shamed by Virginia, immigration officials, according to the Washington Post, are now actively “scouring jails and courts nationwide” to identify immigrants who qualify for deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports that in a 12-month period ending last Sept. 30, “it placed 164,000 criminals in deportation proceedings,” an increase from the 64,000 the agency identified and placed in deportation proceedings the previous year. ICE “estimates the number will rise to 200,000 this year.” It’s a start.