Commentary: Examining America’s strained relationship with immigration laws

The upcoming presidential election, and recent world events, is shining a spot light on immigration. Discussion on the pros and cons of immigration is nothing new, and is as much a part of our American experience as baseball or apple pie.

We are, after all, a nation of immigrants, and we enjoy discussing immigration. A leading presidential candidate has suggested rounding up and deporting all illegal immigrants.

Another candidate suggested the main issue is “anchor babies” (those born in the United States to foreign parents for the purpose of securing citizenship).

Still other candidates may not see immigration as a problem at all.

At the risk of oversimplification, immigration may be divided into two groups: legal and illegal. Legal immigrants follow our laws to gain entry into our country. Undocumented immigrants do not follow our laws to gain entry to our country.

The United States, like every other country in the world, has the right to adopt immigration laws. But hand in hand with the right to adopt laws is the responsibility to enforce laws once they are adopted. This is where our current system falls short. We have many laws on the books explaining how immigration is supposed to legally occur.

Our country does not suffer from a lack of laws. However, we do suffer from a lack of enforcement or at least consistent enforcement of our immigration laws.

This is the crux of the issue: Do we want to enforce our laws? Are we prepared for what enforcement means? Are we prepared to separate families?

If we are, let’s enforce our laws and move forward. If we are not, let’s change our laws to something that we do find palatable and enforce those laws.

But laws without enforcement creates uncertainty and encourages people to break them. An immigrant’s relationship with our country should not start with an illegal act. It’s not good for the country, and its not good for the immigrant.

During this presidential election candidates should campaign on a platform to enforce our laws as written. Or offer an amendment to our existing laws and a plan to ensure enforcement of the amended laws. America is a nation of laws, not of men. This simple ideal is at times aspirational, but it is always guiding.

Returning to the rule of law offers a solution from this immigration quagmire. Enforcement of laws is fair for our country and for immigrants by letting both parties know what the rules are and providing assurances the rules will be enforced.

MICHAEL TORRES lives in Corona del Mar.