"Illegal Immigrants" again in the National News

Personally, I'm happy that this issue on illegal immigration is now coming into fore. I can see, after reading today's New York Times' front page article U.S.’s Toughest Immigration Law Signed in Arizona , that the country's leaders will now face up the complex set of challenges to repair the much-damaged, much-maligned immigration laws currently in place. It's been a failure, so to say, though I have to say, that the US remains to be among the most liberal (among major countries) in terms of immigration laws anywhere in the world. For example, I believe Japan has got a more stringent, stricter set of laws affecting illegal immigrants living in that country---I know personally a few people who had no choice but to go back to the Philippines after they were hounded endlessly by the Japanese immigration authorities.

Be that as it may, the US remains to be a safe zone for all kinds of immigrants, including illegal ones. But I'm not sure if Arizona, with its stricter laws on illegal immigrants would be included here. Now, it's far wiser to stir clear of Arizona.

I pray illegal immigrants maybe granted soon with options on a pathway to US citizenship, no matter how pundits would call this path (not with the dreaded word "amnesty," that drives certain people crazy). Illegal immigrants continue to be used and abused by those in influential positions to meet their needs, most specially in meeting labor needs paid at much lower rates, without much benefits, giving advantages to businesses owned by these influential people (to some extent) over their competitors. The whole issue remains very polarizing over many groups of people, even among relatives and friends. It's actually very distasteful to discuss this topic openly among people who know each other---it's a hush-hush topic, as one may be revealing too much when this topic gets discussed. It's even a tool to put people with questionable resident status down, and be kept down by those who like to "put one over another." It's actually a political tool by some people.

I can see more news to come now on this issue in the following days.......which may lead to sustained efforts by the country's leaders to finally take lead (as promised, or perhaps at the most ignored by most, given today's priorities).