20100511 AgChat on immigration reform opinion

Given the nearly 6.5 billion non-Americans in the world and the tens of millions of those who would rather live in the United States, limits must be placed on immigration or the nation would be swamped with foreigners.

Given the nearly 6.5 billion non-Americans in the world and the tens of millions of those who would rather live in the United States, limits must be placed on immigration or the nation would be swamped with foreigners.

When Arizona passed a law requiring immigrants to keep their papers with them at all times or risk arrest, we believed the state's hysteria was the unfortunate byproduct of the dysfunctional federal immigration policy. After all, who isn't fed up with illegal immigration? People may disagree about the solution to the problem, but no one denies that what the United States is doing now isn't working.

When Arizona passed a law requiring immigrants to keep their papers with them at all times or risk arrest, we believed the state's hysteria was the unfortunate byproduct of the dysfunctional federal immigration policy. After all, who isn't fed up with illegal immigration? People may disagree about the solution to the problem, but no one denies that what the United States is doing now isn't working.

Some Michigan lawmakers say they want to pass an Arizona-style immigration law. "Rep. Kim Meltzer, R-Clinton Township, said her bill would allow police to request proof of citizenship from people who are stopped and questioned on another offense, such as a traffic violation or selling fraudulent identity documents. Officers would have the authority to arrest people who can't prove their legal status," the Detroit Free Press says.

I am happy to announce that New York farmers have a new tool at their disposal for sorting through the sometimes confusing array of public programs available to them. The New York Agricultural Landowner Guide, which can be downloaded as a free PDF, describes over 60 public programs currently available to help farmers meet challenges ranging from reducing property taxes and protecting farmland from development, to enhancing viability and generating alternative energy.

Friday, April 23, 2010 was a day that will be remembered by many. On this day, Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, signed into law bill SB 1070 – “Immigration; Law Enforcement; Safe Neighborhoods”. While the controversial law (which goes into effect sometime this summer) is written to require that lawful contact be made, law enforcement officers might stop any person with reasonable suspicion of being illegal and ask about their immigration status. If the person cannot produce documentation that would validate their legal status, they would be arrested.

Some Michigan lawmakers say they want to pass an Arizona-style immigration law. "Rep. Kim Meltzer, R-Clinton Township, said her bill would allow police to request proof of citizenship from people who are stopped and questioned on another offense, such as a traffic violation or selling fraudulent identity documents. Officers would have the authority to arrest people who can't prove their legal status," the Detroit Free Press says.

I am happy to announce that New York farmers have a new tool at their disposal for sorting through the sometimes confusing array of public programs available to them. The New York Agricultural Landowner Guide, which can be downloaded as a free PDF, describes over 60 public programs currently available to help farmers meet challenges ranging from reducing property taxes and protecting farmland from development, to enhancing viability and generating alternative energy.

Friday, April 23, 2010 was a day that will be remembered by many. On this day, Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, signed into law bill SB 1070 – “Immigration; Law Enforcement; Safe Neighborhoods”.

While the controversial law (which goes into effect sometime this summer) is written to require that lawful contact be made, law enforcement officers might stop any person with reasonable suspicion of being illegal and ask about their immigration status. If the person cannot produce documentation that would validate their legal status, they would be arrested.