Category: Immigration

Using pardons against immigration law

California governor Jerry Brown has made it a habit to pardon immigrants (illegal or otherwise) for criminal convictions that might otherwise result in their deportation. Now, he’s gone one further: he’s pardoned someone already deported so that their deportation can be reversed and they can become an American citizen:

Deported Army veteran, pardoned by Jerry Brown, will become US citizen

The deported individual had been at one point a member of the U.S. armed forces, for which I thank them for their service. However, the individual only held a green card when they committed the felony offense that resulted in their deportation. They were convicted (a no contest plea, which seems to suggest a plea bargain and possibly a reduced charge) to discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle.

The fact that fervently anti-gun California would pardon someone convicted of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle goes to show just how crazy Californians have become in the Trump era: they’d rather forgive a convicted gunman than accept common sense immigration rules. Note that this is a very serious charge involving a firearm, particularly if the charge is the result of a plea bargain. I wonder how the people who were in the vehicle during the shooting would feel about Gov. Browns decision?

In addition, while Gov. Brown insists that this individual has led an “…honest and upright life since his release…”, this is not the case. This individual, after being deported, violated Federal law by re-entering the country in 2010. How is violating Federal law leading an “…honest and upright life…”? Remember, a pardon is not retroactive; it does not alter the fact that he had been legally deported when he illegally re-entered the country in 2010.

Finally, my biggest issue with this case: not only did Gov. Brown pardon someone convicted of a gun crime, not only does this pardon result in U.S. citizenship for the individual, but this pardon now allows the individual –  someone formerly convicted of a gun crime – to once again own a gun!

Do Californian’s really hate President Trump so much that they would rather arm former felons (and grant them citizenship) then accept common-sense immigration laws?

Wow. Only in California…

Indefensible

Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf tried to defend her actions in announcing a pending ICE raid in Northern California with the following statement:

“I did what I believe was right for my community as well as to protect public safety,” Schaaf said Friday, according to NBC Bay Area. “People should be able to live without fear or panic and know their rights and responsibilities as well as their recourses.”

Really, Libby? What about the law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants/inhabitants of your city? Who is protecting them from the criminal illegal aliens you are shielding from deportation? How do your actions protect their “public safety”?

The only people living in fear of deportation are those criminal aliens who are here illegally or who have jeopardized their immigration status by committing serious crimes against the legal inhabitants of this country. People with final deportation orders know their rights and recourse, as they have already been adjudicated by the courts. Their responsibility is even simpler: leave the country as ordered. Failure to do so can only result in ICE making an effort to find and deport them by force.

Sadly, had Mayor Schaaf  worked to co-operate with ICE things would have been much better for those whom she claims to protect. By seeking out and turning over to ICE the criminal illegal aliens in her city she could have shielded those who have committed no crime (other than their original crime of illegal entry into the United States). ICE, on the other hand, cannot ignore these non-criminal aliens; they must remove all illegal aliens they encounter during their search for more serious offenders. This means that a large number of otherwise law-abiding illegal aliens are being deported as result of Mayor Schaaf’s actions.

Unfortunately, I fear that this is all well known to the voters in Oakland. I doubt they are any less interested than I am in ridding their city of criminal illegal aliens. This is not about illegal aliens at all, however; it’s about Trump. The voters of Oakland would rather oppose Trump than protect their city from these criminals.

The phrase, “…cut off your nose to spit your face…” comes to mind.

Deport Ravi Ragbir

Ravidath Ragbir, a popular figure with New York immigrant activists, was arrested in January pursuant to a deportation order. However, a judge released him from ICE custody – while acknowledging the legality of his deportation order – claiming he had a right to “the freedom to say goodbye” (please take a moment to read this absurd, activist-judge order).

Ragbir became a popular immigration rights activist, although at least one site voicing support for his release implies that this was as a result of his own pending deportation:

“Through his own struggle to remain in the U.S., Ravi became active in supporting other immigrants who were facing similar challenges.

However, it is important that we not lose sight of the facts. Roughly 6 years after being granted permanent residency status Ravi was arrested and later convicted for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud. He had allegedly confessed to arranging fraudulent home loans, from which he profited. Even the Obama administration worked for his deportation, arguing against Ragbir’s request for supreme court review of his conviction and deportation (his writ of certiorari was eventually denied).

Ragbir has abused the court system and legal process to fight tooth-and-nail against his deportation, allowing him to remain in the United States for almost 20 years after his arrest and conviction. He continues to fight, even given his final order of deportation. Some now believe that his having lived crime-free for the last 18 years (if you count his years in prison) and becoming an immigration activist (ostensibly for his own benefit) entitles him to stay; I disagree. Having a pack of free lawyers to stave off your deportation as long as possible should change nothing: he needs to be deported per the court’s original order.

Deport Ravi Ragbir now. He is a convicted criminal, and he should not be allowed to hide behind the convenient shield of “immigration activist”.

DACA

President Trump today ended Obama’s DACA program that allowed so-called “dreamers” – children brought here illegally by their parents (or who simply arrived unaccompanied) – to stay, attend school and work in the U.S. However, no matter what sympathies you might hold for these DACA recipients, President Trump’s elimination of the DACA program is the correct course of action.

It is the responsibility of Congress to decide the fate of DACA individuals and to establish subsequent immigration programs. Their failure to do so does not empower a President to circumvent the constitution. President Obama overstepped his authority by establishing DACA when Congress refused to pass similar legislation; no one should blame President Trump for re-establishing law and order by rescinding the program. His actions have placed responsibility back where it belongs – squarely on the shoulders of Congress.

Criminal illegal aliens are “immigrants”?

Everyone should read this article. Pay close attention to the criminal illegal aliens that California State Senate President pro Tem Kevin DeLeon is defending as “immigrants”.

I am seriously concerned by  DeLeon’s characterization of these people as “immigrants”. These are criminals, plain and simple – thieves, drug dealers, gang members, and other felons. Would you call a  squatter illegally occupying your property a “tenant”?  Would you call a car thief a “valet”? How about a bank robber; would they be a “financial assistant”? Why then must a criminal illegal alien be considered an “immigrant”?

I understand DeLeon’s motives; by eliminating the distinction between criminal illegal aliens and immigrants he and his ilk hope to make the war on criminals appear to be a war on immigrants. And it appears their tactics are working – they are winning the immigration propaganda war .

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Don’t be sheeple, people. And don’t let these California politicians convince you that it’s OK to turn our melting pot into a dumpster.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric

Some have been very good (with the help of the media) at twisting the facts to suit their message. Here’s a good example: Andrew Cuomo is quoted in a recent news article providing a message for President Trump:

“You want to deport immigrants? Start with me because I’m an immigrant,” Cuomo said.

The problem? President Trump isn’t trying to deport immigrants; he’s only trying to deport criminal illegal aliens. Big difference.

If you’re sharp, you’ve probably noticed how some groups have tried (successfully, I might add) to eliminate the term “illegal” from their lexicon. This allows them to remove the differentiation between illegal aliens and legal immigrants. The result – quote’s like that above, meant to portray Trump as anti-immigrant. Funny, actually, given that Trump himself is from a family of immigrants  (as are many of us). Anti-immigrant? I don’t think so…

Don’t be drones, people; think for yourselves. A call to remove criminal illegal aliens is not an attack on legal immigrants, no matter what Cuomo and his friends say.

Immigration reform

A federalist approach to immigration reform

OK – I like this idea. Each state that wants immigrant workers can accept them  –  and the burden that comes with that acceptance. No Federal funds will be spent on their support. The immigrant workers accepted by a state are limited to that state; attempts to migrate within the country (except with reciprocating states) will result in deportation.

This is a great solution –  a democratic, competitive solution. States that prosper as a result of these immigrants will serve as examples of how this system can work; those that don’t will serve as examples of how this system can fail. In any event, it leaves me (and others) free to select the state of our choice based (in part) on their immigration policy.

Democracy at its best…

Really??

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has vowed to protect criminal illegal aliens. From a recent article on Fox News:

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also vowed to protect illegal immigrants, including ones suspected or convicted of crimes, from the feds.

“I want to be clear: We’re going to stay a sanctuary city,” Emanuel said. “There is no stranger among us… you are welcome in Chicago as you pursue the American dream.”

Really, Rahm? Chicago is having it’s deadliest year in decades, and you want to protect criminal illegal aliens? Maybe you should run that by their victims, or by the legal immigrants who respect our country and its laws. They might have a different take on the topic.

Once again, NYC gets it wrong

According to a recent Fox News story, NYC authorities are hard at work assuring locals that  turnstile jumpers will not be deported – as if it is the turnstile jumping that presents the potential for deportation. According to Larry Byrne, the deputy commissioner for legal affairs for NYC:

“Even if you’re a recidivist and jumped a turnstile for the fourth or tenth time, and we arrest you for the misdemeanor crime, that’s a misdemeanor — it’s not a qualifying” he told reporters, according to Politico. “Nobody is getting deported for a minor offense.”

Frankly, I think most New Yorkers would like to see these recidivist turnstile jumpers deported. However, the fact is that the potential for deportation is the result of being in the U.S. illegally, ignoring our laws and disrespecting legal immigrants who follow our immigration process and rules; the turnstile jumping only brings an individual into the view of authorities. So, in a sense Mr. Byrne is right – they are not getting deported for turnstile jumping; they are getting deported for being illegal immigrants.

All of this is in response to President Trump’s executive order regarding illegal immigrants and their detainment/deportation in accordance with U.S. immigration law. To garner support for their actions in defiance of President Trump’s order, NYC officials go further still and utilize a frequent political technique to justify their actions and promote citizen support by equating Trump’s order as an attack on immigrants (rather than illegal immigrants). Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio is quoted in the same article saying:

The order also contradicts “the character and values” of a city and nation long known for welcoming immigrants.

The article also cites other NYC officials as noting that President Trump’s order would make:

“…immigrants reluctant to talk to the New York Police Department as witnesses or even victims of crime.”

However, Trump’s order has no impact on legal immigrants; productive, legal immigrants are the backbone of our nation and are welcome as always. They are also still free to report crimes and assist law enforcement without fear of deportation. In fact I would expect that they would be more willing under Trump’s order to assist law enforcement, knowing that those responsible for crimes who were here illegally would be deported and not returned to the streets to harass witnesses and victims. In this manner President Trump’s executive order to remove illegal aliens could be considered to be in support of legal immigrants by removing these “bad apples” who are here illegally.

Don’t be sheeple, people – think for yourselves. Legal immigrants are actually supported by the removal of criminal illegal aliens as proposed by President Trump’s executive order. Don’t let NYC’s leftist politicians convince you otherwise.

Canadian border control

If you’ve got access to NetFlix, I’d like to recommend that you take a gander at the series:

“Border Security: Canada’s Front Line”

For all those who said they would move to Canada if Trump won the election – good luck! These people are tough when it comes to immigration. You think Trump is harsh? “Dreamers” wouldn’t have a chance in Canada – nor would most of the celebrities who threatened to move. Here are some examples from the show:

Have a medical condition – even if you are only a tourist – that could be costly to the medical system in Canada if you are stricken ill while visiting? DENIED! No “humanitarian entry” because you can’t afford health insurance, no sir…

Have ANY criminal conviction in the last 10 years, even a simple drug charge or DUI? DENIED!

Don’t have enough money on hand to support your entire stay? DENIED!

Ever worked illegally in Canada? DENIED!

Going to look for work in Canada without the mandatory paperwork/approval? DENIED!

Show up at the border with your “medical marijuana” card and a bag of pot? DENIED! (and arrested… dumbass…)

Good luck on moving to Canada, guys – I’m rooting for you. I just hope that Shia LaBouf is first in line.