California ordered the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to shut down private camps housing detained illegal immigrants. The Democratic administration looks set to cross the red line over the issue of undocumented immigrants. This may lead to catastrophic consequences for the national economy and security, with the state possibly becoming the first victim of such disastrous policies.
The closure of ICE camps directly contradicts the federal administration's efforts in combating illegal immigration. There are nearly 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. In California, their number stands at over 2 million. One in every three immigrants living in the state is undocumented.
The state support for illegal immigrants has put a massive strain on the US border patrol personnel fighting human trafficking in the country. Each year thousands of immigrants from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America attempt to pass undetected through the California-Mexico border to enter the United States. They pay hundreds of dollars to agents to cross the border using unsafe means. In February 2020, three of such illegal entrants froze to death. The threat of being sent to ICE detention camps is sure to dissuade such illegal entries into the state.
While California has become a staging ground for illegal immigrants to go to other states, the state itself is gradually falling victim to its opposition to the federal immigration authorities. ICE must stop illegal immigration for our national laws to be fully respected. It's their responsibility to check and arrest unauthorized individuals. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 was passed to prevent employers from hiring or recruiting individuals not authorized to work in the United States.
The arrest, detention, and prosecution of illegal immigrants allow prosecutors leverage to help illegal workers against their exploitation and other illegal practices. Identifying them enables them to ensure they are not subject to human trafficking or illegal work. With the due process of the law, those exploited and abandoned are identified and offered leniency and a way to become permanent residents.
Closing down ICE centers may leave these illegal entrants unaccounted for and expose them to mistreatment, manipulation, illegal wages, child labor, and abuse.
One in every 10 California workers is an illegal immigrant. At the national level, their number is 8 million. In California, the unemployment rate is 11%, and 600,000 legal residents are waiting for jobs. About 230,000 have filed for unemployment benefits. Unless illegal immigrants are detained, they pose a threat to the jobs of citizens as well as legal migrants in the state.
The closure of ICE camps may severely strain California's state exchequer. As many illegal immigrants will remain in the state, it has to offer them adequate public benefits. In May 2020, the state announced to pay "$500 per person or $1,000 per household" in COVID-19 assistance to undocumented migrants. The total cost ran to $75 million. The governor set aside $125 million in April for the Immigrants Fund.
Who is going to pay for this costly and questionable extension of assistance to those illegally staying in the state and violating national laws? California already has a $54.3 billion budget deficit, and new taxes are the only way to cough up money for such generosity.
One in every three illegal migrants entering the United States lacks a high school diploma. Over 70% do not have English proficiency. This contributes to their marginalization. Unless they are securely kept in ICE centers, there is a higher chance of marginalized immigrants resorting to crime.
ICE agents arrested more than 300 undocumented migrants from various places in California in raids between July 13 and August 20. Among those detained were found to be involved in murder, pedophilia, sexual abuse, theft, kidnapping, or other offenses. There were 128 arrests from Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco in the first week of October. Agents discovered that 122 had convictions or criminal charges, including murder and child sex crimes.
According to ICE officials, California's cities are fast becoming a sanctuary of undocumented immigrants accused of murder and sex offenses. They estimate that at least 100 criminal illegal migrants enter the Los Angeles community daily.
Closing ICE detention camps may release more criminals, putting Americans' lives and property in jeopardy.
