Denying Freebies To Illegal Immigrants

by Nick Coons
May 11, 2005

More than 500 people gathered today at the state capitol where they boycotted work. The reason is because they are protesting laws that make life difficult for illegal immigrants. This goes back to Prop 200 on the ballet several months back that makes it illegal for undocumented aliens to receive government provided services, such as welfare.

To me, this is absolutely ridiculous. Read this carefully: They are complaining because we are making life difficult for illegal immigrants. Is this something that should really be taken seriously? Are we somehow bound to make life easy for people that enter our country illegally?

How about all of the people that are here legally that the illegal immigrants make life difficult for, like the residents of border towns such as Sierra Vista? Rancher Bud Strom inspects his fence-line and cattle regularly, because more 1,000 illegal immigrants cross into the state through his ranch each week. And in doing so, they cut his fence, steal his property, and cause damage.

And how about the environmental damage? The Ramsey Canyon Preserve has many visitors throughout the year, too many of which are illegal immigrants passing through and dumping their garbage. The community is fighting an uphill battle trying to clean up afterwards, but just doesn't have the resources.

And now people are protesting because they no longer have the free, government-provided benefits that Prop 200 denies them. Absolutely ridiculous.