I have long wondered why the black community isn’t outraged, at least more obviously and more often, by the illegal alien population.

My talent for economics consists of a rather curious inability to make correct change. To say I have little understanding of economic theory (structural unemployment, nominal wage, trend etc.) is therefore, a bit of an understatement.

Then again, unqualified ignorance seems to be a prerequisite for press credentials these days…

On that note, the Los Angeles Times carried a remarkably well-written story by Lisa Richardson (Anger Boils at Illegal Immigrants , July 30, 2005) about a recent town hall meeting in LA.

It was called Blacks and Hispanics: Allies or Rivals?

About 80 people (Blacks, Hispanics and Whites) discussed issues such as employment, housing and education for roughly two hours.

According to Lisa Richardson the topic was heated but the discussion was frank.

“…blacks, whites and Latinos spoke with a vehemence usually reserved for the dinner table — or late-night talk radio shows. They publicly aired views that are often muttered in L.A. but not spoken out loud.”

Popular talk radio host Terry Anderson (Sun 9 pm KRLA AM870 Los Angeles) was a panelist (thankfully) for the discussion and he spoke with the customary candor for which he is well-known.

He blamed illegal aliens for stealing jobs and crowding schools.

“We have been invaded; there’s no other word for it,” Anderson said. [You can email kudos here.]

According to Richardson, Terry said Blacks are no longer able to compete for entry-level jobs and construction work because they are undercut by illegal immigrants willing to work for under-the-table wages…and the audience cheered.

The audience also pelted Richard Alonzo, superintendent for LA unified school district, with questions about the number of illegal immigrant children enrolled in their schools.

He said the district didn’t keep track of those kinds of statistics. He also said that the cost of educating students who only speak Spanish is not higher than those who speak English…ok, that’s funny.

Councilman Bernard Parks was also part of the fray. When the crowd began demanding change—demanding that public officials do something to stop illegal immigrants—Parks said:

“You can stay angry, but they are not going to go away,” he said. “Whether you want to hear it or not, no one is going to build a fence around the state of California and clear out everyone you think is here illegally.”

Au contraire, Monsieur Parks…

Email for Councilman Parks [here]

Email for Chief of Staff Bernard Parks Jr. [here]

From here in Marietta , I often wonder what the exact distance is that an illegal alien who crosses our border from Mexico must travel into our nation before becoming an “undocumented worker.”

Think about it. Brave Border Patrol Agents risk and lose their lives to apprehend literally thousands of illegal aliens each day, while politicians, bankers, criminal employers and such all -American groups as La Raza must wait until the illegals are somehow magically transformed into oppressed victims and a “burgeoning market.”

At what distance from the barbwire does that transformation take place?

Here is a photo from earlier this week taken 12 miles from the Mexican border in Arizona. Border Patrol doing its sworn duty…what a concept, eh, Mr. President?

See? No MALDEF or LULAC making demands regarding the newly arrived illegals “human-rights” or loading them into pickups for illegal work. This group of trespassers is going back to Mexico.

So, we must assume that the distance is more than 12 miles…but how far? Maybe the President knows?

If I was one of the many who profit from the millions of illegal workers in this country, I would seriously consider putting up a shelter with a sign - ” DAY-LABOR CENTER” - just inches over the border…it seems to work here in Marietta. . The victims of geography could then crawl under the wire and presto…get the same “rights” as someone who has made it all the way to my hometown in Georgiafornia!

People transport, hire, shelter and encourage illegal aliens like crazy here . Nobody arrests the federal felons…ever.

Petit Jean Poultry plant in Arkadelphia, Arkansas lost a chunk of their workforce when immigration officials raided the facility this week.

ICE officials were tipped off by a former Petit Jean employee who had a rather interesting job description: She provided fraudulent documentation (ID cards, social security numbers etc.) for illegal alien employees.

In total, 119 illegal aliens were arrested.

Something worth mentioning: It drives me mad when I hear people whining about “not all illegals are from Mexico…quit picking on Mexico…blah, blah, blah.”
And I suppose they are correct—of the 119 arrested, there were 4 from El Salvador and Honduras.

Only 115 were from Mexico or roughly 97%. Ugh, those darn immigration reform people and their penchant for unreasonable racial profiling…

Several of the detainees were scheduled for formal deportation hearings and returned to their homes in Arkadelphia. Many were deported immediately to Mexico.

30 children were left without parents—a local church intervened and provided temporary living accommodations.

Of course, the immigration apologists are already crying foul—a tantrum that sounds remarkably like a teenage girl on the suicide hotline after learning about her 10 pm Prom Night curfew.

By the way, ICE officials specifically asked about any children who may need assistance and the detainees denied having any children.

It’s a sticky situation to be sure. I have no doubt ICE officials would take every precaution to protect the rights of illegal immigrants and especially, the children.

HOWEVER, the 119 illegal aliens detained today are solely responsible for any harm their children experienced as a result of their parents’ arrest.

It is certainly a harsh reality but after today, perhaps the other 11+ million illegal aliens in the U.S. (and those planning their future move) will be less inclined to break our laws.

Related: 30 Kids Left Behind After Immigration Raid by Melissa Nelson—Associated Press.