THE IMMIGRATION DILEMMA

Like many people, I am troubled by illegal immigration and the massive toll that it clearly imposes upon our national resources. At the same time I am very concerned about aggressive efforts, such as the one recently undertaken in Arizona, to ferret out those who may be here illegally by extending enhanced powers to law enforcement officers. A big problem, it seems to me, is that it would be difficult if not impossible for officers to proceed to use such powers without engaging in unfair racial profiling and stereotyping.

Our history as a nation shows that unchecked police authority is fraught with danger and difficulty. We should learn from our troubled history. We should be better than that. When racial profiling and stereotyping are condoned, the liberty of everyone is at risk.

I don't know what the answer is. I will be watching with interest though, hoping that our government officials proceed with caution. If history has taught us one thing, it should be this: We must be concerned for the rights of all.