Illegal immigration

Being conservative on most issues, there’s something I don’t understand. Why are so many so-called conservatives in favor of an Arizona law that brings the big nose of government right up into everyone’s faces? Do we really want to live in a nation where police are free to demand papers from anyone they think looks or acts like a foreigner here illegally? Will they stop fair-skinned Hispanics? What about people from Europe or elsewhere who may have overstayed their visas? Or is this just about racism?

Illegal immigration is indeed a problem in this nation, and especially so in states like Arizona. But the right wing has made it extremely difficult to enact any logical immigration reform. That reform would have to recognize economic realities as well as the scope of illegal immigration, and include a way for people with jobs to stay here legally. That’s the only way to get some sort of handle on the ones who are here to cause trouble — people hard-working immigrants would gladly turn in if they weren’t so afraid to get themselves in trouble, too.
But Republicans everywhere know they will be booted out of office if they support the sort of meaningful reform that even President George W. Bush knew was needed. Arizona Sen. John McCain has even changed his mind on this and now supports the Arizona show-me-your-papers law. (This story on Politico.com outlines the problem.)
In addition, Republicans also know their tough anti-illegal immigration stance will further cost them important votes from legal citizens of Hispanic origin. In ’04, Bush got 44 percent of that vote, but McCain only got 31 percent in ’08.
My conservative values include not only smaller government but economic freedom. That means allowing the free flow of labor across borders, with reasonable controls to catch criminals. My reading of history shows that immigrants, especially the so-called economic dregs from other nations, always have been a net benefit to this nation.