Illegal Hispanic problem needs national solution

Decatur Daily:

For every legal immigrant in Alabama, estimates say there are two illegal ones.

Shelby County and Decatur were part of a national Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement sting that rounded up more than 500 gang suspects and other illegals causing problems. Yet, the feds are not even interested in talking to local police about illegal aliens who cause few or no problems.

It's national policy to wink at the immigration laws because the workers fill a void in the U.S. work force.

But people like Barbara Jones of 809 Tammy St. S.W., resent illegal immigrants not being held to U.S. laws.

More than three years ago, she said, a Hispanic man ran into the back of her car and caused more than $3,000 in damages. He had no driver license and no insurance.

She was out the money and the illegal Hispanic man went free, she said.

Hispanic advocates miss the point when they cite the advantage of these workers to the United States economy, but Thomas Lawimore of Falkville didn't. The Birmingham News said he traveled from Morgan County to tell the Hoover City Council that if immigrants want to work here, they should go by the law.

Most Alabamians feel the same way.

U.S. gang sting nets 582 suspects, 14 in Decatur

State has third most gang arrests in national sweep

Hispanic workers losers if violent gangs continue

Hoover struggles with influx of Hispanic immigrants

11 Hispanics arrested as illegal aliens in Decatur are termed gang members

Hoover to close Hispanic center

Hoover Hispanics feel impact of gang sweep, center's closure