Threat of rule of law panics illegals

NY Times:

False rumors of random federal immigration raids have sent panic through immigrant communities around the country this week, emptying classrooms, work sites and shopping areas and sending thousands of people into hiding.

Towns in New Jersey and on Long Island have been among those most affected by the snowballing fear, say immigrant advocates and public officials, who described terrified mothers pulling their children from a Head Start program in Freehold, N.J., and deserted streets in usually bustling areas of West Hempstead, N.Y.

But the pattern of rumor and panic has played out nationwide. It was apparently set off by last week's announcement by Michael Chertoff, the secretary of Homeland Security, that the arrest of more than 1,180 employees of IFCO Systems of North America in 26 states was the start of a new crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants.

Spanish-language television and radio accounts of rumored raids may have lent credence to people's fears, as did a bulletin the American Immigration Lawyers Association sent to its members, citing the reports of raids as consistent with the federal agency's new direction.

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There is more. One of the reasons there are so many illegal immigrants in the country is that there is little fear of consequence for breaking immigration law. What these panics show, is that if the law were enforced, people would react rationally and either self deport or not come. If an amnest is considered, it should be a one time amnesty to return to Mexico or other country of origon. After that, they could apply to return like any other immigrant who complies with the law. As mentioned before in this blog, these panics are not new. The famous misidentified helicopter in Houston that sparked a similar panic is the classic example.

The boycot announced for May 1 could also give immigration officials an opportunity to identify people in the country illegally. In that regard it could wind up having the opposite of the indended effect.