Because the U.S. government has done such a miserable job dealing with illegal aliens, a number of states have stepped in passing their own laws for dealing with the financial burden. While it might seem absurd that states have been forced to act in the absence of the federal government, what might be even more bizarre is that this same government is now blocking them from acting to address the cost of public services that are provided to the illegal alien population.
A federal appeals court has ruled it is unconstitutional for Alabama to check the immigration status of school children when they enroll, or to require illegal aliens to carry identification.
The 11 Circuit Court of Appeals did uphold provisions of the Alabama’s immigration law that allows police to stop people they have a “reasonable suspicion” of being illegal aliens, and to inquire about the immigration status of motorists without drivers’ licenses.
The court struck down a provision that barred residents and businesses from entering into contracts with people who are in the state illegally. In the rule the court decided that the intent of the provision, known as Section 27 of the state’s tough immigration law, was “forcing undocumented individuals out of Alabama.”
Just imagine, a state forcing illegal aliens out of its borders? Who would even consider such a thing? Shouldn’t we be welcoming illegal aliens with open arms?
“To say that section 27 is extraordinary and unprecedented would be an understatement,” the court wrote in its ruling.
Regarding immigration checks for students, the court determined that such a requirement would cause “significant interference with the children’s right to education” and therefore violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution.
What a minute. Did a U.S. court just create a right for illegal aliens? Did a U.S. federal court just step in to protect rights of people that snuck into this country over the rights of our citizens?
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) spearheaded the challenge to the law. Precisely what “American” civil liberties were being infringed upon? Is it the Guatemalan Civil Liberties Union? How about the Pakistani Civil Liberties Union? Maybe they’re the Mexican Civil Liberties Union? Actually the Illegal Aliens Civil Liberties Union might be the best choice. Aren’t they supposed to be a watchdog to protect the civil liberties of Americans?
“The court today rejected many parts of Alabama and Georgia’s anti-immigrant laws, including attempts to criminalize everyday interactions with undocumented immigrants and Alabama’s callous attempt to deprive some children of their constitutional right to education, ” said Omar Jadwat, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. “The court explicitly left the door open to further challenges against the ‘show me your papers’ provision, which we will continue to fight in order to protect people’s constitutional rights.”
The ACLU is now petitioning for constitutional rights for illegal aliens? Apparently the ACLU hasn’t read the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. You aren’t suddenly granted constitutional rights when you cross the border. These rights are for citizens, not those who have entered our country illegally.
There is, on the other hand, a group of rights delineated in the Bill of Rights that are not limited only to citizens of the U.S.:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
The Constitution only asserts rights to U.S. citizens:
Amendment XIV; Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
There is no right to an education asserted in any of our founding documents to illegal aliens. There are no constitutional rights that are bestowed upon anyone that is not a U.S. citizen. For a panel of judges to suddenly create rights for illegal aliens is the epitome of judicial activism.
Perhaps the ACLU and the judges on the 11 Circuit Court of Appeals should sit down and read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before littering our court system with fabricated rights.
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