Michael Zimmer, a Carroll County commissioner, wants to cut off county services to adult illegal immigrants in the county. After floating the idea a few weeks ago at a commissioners meeting, he is asking for a task force to investigate the possibility.
How big a problem is illegal immigration in Carroll County?
I wouldn?t say illegal immigration is one of our top challenges in Carroll, but I want to make sure it doesn?t ever get to that point.
Is helping immigrants part of our moral obligation as Americans?
Helping people in general is part of our heritage and practice. The problem is that illegal immigrants should not expect the taxpayers to fund services for adults who are not supposed to be here in the first place.
Other places have been sued after passing laws against illegal immigration. What could be done to make sure Carroll is not sued?
As an attorney, I fully appreciate that people who believe they are aggrieved may avail themselves of the legal system. The threat of a lawsuit alone should never place a veto power on policy-makers. I hope that the task force I have recommended will explore some of the litigation history of such initiatives.
Many say this is a national problem that should be left to the federal government. Why not do that?
There is an irony here. Clearly, this is a national issue, but our national leaders are failing us. Many states, counties and municipalities are trying to get their arms around this very complicated issue to fill this void. With sufficient local action, perhaps national leaders will get serious about this.
