Blue Crab Boulevard

The Problem In A Nutshell

The Associated Press is reporting a story that exactly illustrates what is wrong with illegal immigration and why we are in the mess we are in right now. A Florida sheriff is coming under fire from the illegal immigrant lobbies because he is trying to enforce the laws that are on the books.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - The sheriff's department has developed a remarkably effective — and controversial — way of catching illegal immigrants: Deputies in patrol cars pull up to a construction site in force, and watch and see who runs.

Those who take off are chased down and arrested on charges such as trespassing, for cutting through someone else's property, or loitering, for hiding out in someone's yard, or reckless driving, for speeding off in a car.

U.S. immigration authorities are then given the names of those believed to be in this country illegally.

"It's not wrong for them to run, but it's not wrong for us to chase them either," said Sheriff Frank McKeithen, who created his Illegal Alien Task Force in April to target construction sites in this Florida Panhandle county.

Here's the various stances from various players in this little drama. From an "immigration advocates":

The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund is investigating the arrests because "the intimidation factor is of great concern," said Elise Shore, regional counsel for the organization.

Form the ACLU:

Benjamin Stevenson, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union in Florida, said he finds the tactic troubling.

"Why are they sending out six or seven agents to investigate a paper crime, and are they causing them to run in the first place through intimidation?" he asked.

And a real estate developer:

Developer Louis Breland is finishing the first phase of a $750 million beach condo project.

"Subcontractors could not function without immigrant laborers for painting, rebar and steel work. They are the best workers," he said. "Without them, the cost of construction would be 10 times as much and nothing would get built."

And the AP throws in a tear-jerker about an illegal worker who can't get a job because of the crackdown because employers are having to check papers - in accordance with the law that has been on the books for years.

And you wonder why we have a problem? People who are supposed to be officers of the court who ridicule the laws as mere paper. Advocates for illegal immigrants worried that the laws are being enforced and using the highly loaded - and ridiculous - term "intimidation". And greedy developers who want maximum work for minimum wage. And who have obviously been knowingly violating the laws for quite some time. Oh, and Senators who don't appear to care what the citizens of this country want - or in this case, don't want.

That's it in a nutshell.

Immigration Reform | Gaius Wednesday, 27 June , 2007

By Van Helsing, Wednesday, 27 June , 2007 @ 4:25 pm

It’s actually “controversial” for the police to chase down criminals who run away from them. Society is coming apart at the seams.
By Purple Avenger, Wednesday, 27 June , 2007 @ 5:21 pm

They are the best workers

That’s bunk. They do very sloppy work and generally are ignorant of building codes which means you have to have some capable person on staff who does nothing but watch them like a hawk.

They’re also not all that fast. One good master carpenter can out produce half a dozen illegal hacks, and the master won’t be failing inspections on you and the stuff he builds will be straight, level and plumb. All the stuff these illegals are throwing up looks like they were well into a 24 pack while doing it.

I’m wonder about the economics of using illegals for anything that is “skilled” labor. I’m sura as long as quality doesn’t matter, they are viable, but if a job needs to be done right, they are not the ones you want.
By daveinboca, Wednesday, 27 June , 2007 @ 11:51 pm

I was robbed last year by four illegal aliens here in Boca who broke into my house. But of course, the Palm Beach County slackers are refusing to prosecute them, as they are overwhelmed with other more serious crime by illegal aliens. The trial was scheduled for February but the epidemic of crime in South Florida, largely hushed up in the media when it concerns the identities of illegals [an illegal from the Bahamas tried to murder a girl in Delray Beach and the media did not identify him as such, I found out through the grapevine.]
By t. Leps, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 1:32 am

Funny how “free markets” don’t seem to apply to workers - if they get to expensive better let in some more illegalâ€™s I guess…
By _Jon, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 5:40 am

Regarding this quote: “Itâ€™s not wrong for them to run, …”
– Actually, the Supreme Court ruled that running from police was sufficient for Probable Cause.
By bbbustard, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 6:34 am

It should get interesting if they start going to fancier Florida events. For example the Wellington Equine Festival employs hundreds of illegals every year -but it’s also where the kids of VIP’s ride, so do you think the police will act? I doubt it. More on hypocrisy and Lou Dobbs (http://bustardblog.typepad.com/bustardblog/2007/06/with-the-possib.html)
(guilty of blogwh–ring)
By Purple Avenger, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 7:55 am

You could walk onto most construction sites here in south FL, flash your library card while hollering “INS” and clear the place out.
By Purple Avenger, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 7:57 am

But of course, the Palm Beach County slackers are refusing to prosecute them

Krischer and Bradshaw NEED TO GO AWAY next time they’re up for election. That crew is a total disaster.
By Elliott, Thursday, 28 June , 2007 @ 2:06 pm

Nice.
I’m so tired of hearing about the rights of illegal immigrants.
they have rights. In mexico.
when they enter our country they break a minimum of 4 laws. They are criminals to begin with so whats a home invasion, or a rape, or an identity theft?
they work cheap so developers will hire them, but THEY don’t have to pay for the trouble that illegals cause.
Purple Avenger is correct when he says their work is substandard. I know, I’ve had to go behind them and fix things so it would pass code.
ENFORCE THE CURRENT LAWS!!! Secure our border!
just my 2 cents.