Government Licensing Illegal Activity

Since millions of Americans enjoy crystal meth, it only seems appropriate that the government start doling it out freely. After all, doing so would provide for users’ continued pleasure while empowering them to expect more entitlements — the law be damned.

Sound crazy? Can’t imagine government, the creator and enforcer of laws, sanctioning illegal activities?

Think again. It happens every day when those who are not in this country legally are blatantly coddled and bestowed "rights" and privileges by a government that is supposed to be upholding the law, aka arresting and deporting them. Nowhere is this aiding and abetting of criminals — and that’s exactly what it is — more prevalent than in California, which has just given us a classic Left Coast double-doozy.

First, we have Gov. Jerry Brown promising to sign a bill granting driver’s licenses to those not here legally. Even more incomprehensible is California resident Sergio Garcia arguing before the state Supreme Court that he has a right to obtain a law license. There’s only one problem. He’s not a citizen, and has been so for two decades.

How is either possible in an America that is supposed to respect the rule of law? Remember that concept? It’s what separates us from virtually every country on Earth, and which, when ignored (especially by the government) leads to the total breakdown of society.

Does America have a huge immigration problem? Unquestionably. Do we need significant, common-sense reforms to address the unimpeded immigrant inflow, as well as how to deal with the millions already here? Absolutely.

It doesn’t matter whether you believe America should have open borders while granting amnesty and citizenship to everyone on the planet, or that it should build massive border walls patrolled by the military while aggressively deporting every undocumented person. No true reform can be realized until we put aside our personal preferences and unanimously agree that respect for current laws must come first. Otherwise, forget about progress ever being made.

Drivers’ licenses: The governor and Legislature, including Republicans (all sworn to uphold the law, lest we forget), claim that licenses for illegals will make roads safer, lower insurance rates and the numbers of uninsured drivers, and enhance law enforcement. Oh, and they say passing this measure will hopefully send a message to Washington that immigration reform is "overdue."

So let’s get this straight. They just passed a law that breaks the law to help known lawbreakers, so that more federal laws can be made. Got it.

Any guesses as to how much al Qaida is salivating at the prospect of flocking to the Department of Motor Vehicles in California (and eight other states and D.C.) to apply for legitimate identification credentials that would allow them to roam about "legally?" Hey, it worked before, as the 9/11 hijackers used official state-sanctioned IDs to open bank accounts, rent houses, and, yes, board planes. In fact, it was reported that the 19 terrorists were holding 63 state drivers’ licenses. How quickly we forget.

But the bigger issue is ignoring the elephant in the room — the government’s willful disregard that those here illegally have, by definition, broken federal and state laws and should therefore be prosecuted, not rewarded. Instead, we resort to slurs and labels. So anyone opposed to licenses for lawbreakers is racist, bigoted, and doesn’t like burritos, manicured lawns, or fair wages. Not helpful.

Lost in the debate is what should be obvious to all sides: Government imprimaturs on such laws send the message that, since limiting illegals’ "rights" does irreparable harm to the United States, it’s OK to break the law when convenient. Where does it end?

Maybe this is the best idea in the world. But change the law — don’t break it — to achieve that goal legitimately.

That’s not in the cards, however, so a caveat for Gov. Brown. If someone strikes L.A. with weapons obtained with their state-sanctioned driver’s licenses, or takes a one-way joyride in a 767, he may have a few people knocking at his mansion door.

Maybe Jerry Brown should run for president again, as he’d definitely be in the "driver’s seat."

Garcia has been in the country illegally for 20 years, yet somehow managed to attend college and law school, work as a paralegal and sit for the bar. Congrats for passing, Sergio, but so what? Just because you skirted the law shouldn’t entitle you to a law license, or anything else for that matter.

Despite being so open with his status, how has he not been detained and, ultimately, deported?

Well, since the California state assembly just passed a bill (not yet law) allowing those here illegally to practice law, the answer is obvious.

Did the Golden State’s brain trust bother to ask basic questions before passing their idiotic bill? How could Garcia possibly uphold federal and state laws when he, himself, is violating them? How could anyone administer the oath to a known offender? And how would clients pay him, since federal law requires they fire him upon discovering his status.

No matter how compelling one’s human condition, flaunting laws and taunting those who expect them to be followed is a recipe to become the world’s biggest third-world country in record time.

And then it will be "court adjourned" — permanently.

Chris Freind is an independent columnist and commentator. His print column appears every Wednesday. He can be reached at [email protected]