During this week's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) rejected the notion that illegal immigrants "really coming here to work" should be passed over for deportation.
The Baldwin County lawmaker told host Todd Stacy that while some illegal aliens should prioritized for deportation over others, being here illegally was still in violation of the law.
"[T]here's concern about, well, down the road, it's not just those with a criminal record, it's just basically anybody," Stacy asked. "So I guess that begs the question, should there be a difference between someone who has come here with committed crimes, gang-related, fentanyl, human trafficking — we've talked about these issues a lot, versus the one that is just really coming here to work, trying to get a roofing job and already has roots. I know that's a federal issue, but should they be treated differently in your eyes?"
"Well, certainly, I think there should be a difference in prioritization, right?" Elliott replied. "And I think the Trump administration is certainly focused on violent offenders first and foremost. But let's be clear about this — if you're here illegally in the United States, you have broken the law. If you're here illegally in the state of Alabama, then you've broken the law. And if you do any of the things here that we're going to try to pass, you will be breaking the law, as well."
He continued, "And so to say that these are, you know, immigrants that are here that haven't broken the law is not necessarily, you know, true. I want to be careful about how we do this and targeted about how we do this. But I'm pretty firm on the fact that if you're here and you've broken the law in order to be here, then you need to go home."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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