If Not Us, Who?

by Monty Rainey
December 11, 2002

With my wife being in County Government, I sometimes take advantage of the opportunity to attend training sessions, particularly if the training is pertaining to a subject of interest. This past Sunday, I gave up the opportunity to watch football all afternoon and accompanied my wife to Austin to attend training from the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics. Given that my blood pressure went through the roof, I should have opted for the football.

I was outraged upon hearing the BVS Central Field Representative announce to the audience it was not their job to report illegal immigrants to the authorities. It was not their duty to determine legality. It was not up to them to enforce the rule of law. All of this is the job of the INS. Well sir, I’m sorry, but you are wrong! It is the job and duty of every tax paying American citizen to work to protect this nation and to keep our neighbors safe.

President Bush has received a great deal of criticism over the new Homeland Security Department, and I have to say I’m not too crazy about it either, but I do see the need. We have far too many government employees who are working in opposition with each other rather than in unison with each other. The right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing. This must stop, if we are ever to secure our borders.

Now I realize, the County Clerks office is in no way affiliated with the INS, however, they are both government agencies, paid for by taxpayer’s dollars. If the County Clerk’s office encounters illegals attempting to obtain a birth certificate, and it is obvious they are here illegally, what is the problem with the County Clerk’s office reporting that to the INS? I’ve never thought much of the "it’s not my job" mentality, and that’s exactly what this is. Keeping America safe is everyone’s job.

It’s not just with government offices either. One of the nations largest banks, Wells Fargo, is now accepting the Mexican Metricula card to open a bank account. I know, the bank is in business to make money and they are simply capitalizing on an opportunity. But explain this, if a corporation knowingly hires an illegal, they can (though it seldom happens) be fined for doing so. So how is it any different if a bank or other institution knowingly does business with an illegal? This is the sort of thing that gives capitalism a bad rap.

There’s something seriously wrong with all this. Here we have government workers telling other government workers not to worry about reporting illegals. We have banks openly encouraging lawbreakers to go about their lives with the same rights as American citizens. This must change if we are to ever be even remotely successful in securing our borders.

Just take a look at the case of Angel Resendiz, the illegal immigrant who murdered twelve law abiding, tax paying, U.S. citizens before finally surrendering. Records show that Resendiz had at least 25 encounters with the United States Law enforcement, which resulted in nine convictions. He was deported by the INS 3 times and voluntarily returned to Mexico at least 4 times. After Resendiz murdered Dr. Claudia Benton in Houston, the Houston Police issued a warrant for Resendiz. The FBI had the information in their criminal database. The Texas Rangers were looking for him. The INS placed a "hold" on Resendiz in their system. Yet, with all of this, the Border Patrol voluntarily released Resendiz in June of 1999, and he subsequently murdered 4 more people.

Yes, the new Homeland Security makes government bigger, which is always a bad thing, but it is also now necessary because we have too many people in government positions like the Texas BVS Central Field Representative who think, and instruct government employees that they should turn a blind eye to illegals. That is precisely the kind of blatant neglect and incompetence that has done irreparable damage to American society.

To the field representative in question, I ask you, sir, the same question that is asked of soldiers every time they are charged with entering battle,… if not us, who? No, it may not be the job of county workers to report this, but it is the duty of every American. It has to start somewhere. Who will help get this under control? Who has the courage to say, "It's not my job, but it IS my duty."