THE CORRECT COURSE - AT 7:52 A.M. ET:  We have pledged to give credit here when we think the Obamans do something right.  Now, true, there hasn't been an excess of opportunity to prove our fairness, but one has come along.  It turns out that the administration - yes, breaking another pledge - is pursuing tough policies on illegal immigration, policies that resemble those of...well, you know who.  The New York Times reports:

After early pledges by President Obama that he would moderate the Bush administration’s tough policy on immigration enforcement, his administration is pursuing an aggressive strategy for an illegal-immigration crackdown that relies significantly on programs started by his predecessor.

A recent blitz of measures has antagonized immigrant groups and many of Mr. Obama’s Hispanic supporters, who have opened a national campaign against them, including small street protests in New York and Los Angeles last week.

Now, of course, there's an ulterior motive, as admitted by Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano:

Ms. Napolitano and other administration officials argue that no-nonsense immigration enforcement is necessary to persuade American voters to accept legislation that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants, a measure they say Mr. Obama still hopes to advance late this year or early next.

Well, we'll take a very hard look at that proposal when it comes along.  But enforcing immigration rules is basic to a society that calls itself a nation of laws.  Illegal immigration is, correctly, a hot-button issue.  The idea of people entering this country by breaking its laws offends not only our sense of justice, but our sense of fairness.  Who among us hasn't had some friend, relative, or ancestor who's waited years to come here by following the rules and acting correctly?

August 4, 2009