Tim Rutten wrote an interesting op-ed in the LA Times today about what he called the Obama administration's immigration policies.  I have to quibble a bit with his labelling.  It's actually Bush administration policies being enforced (as they are still the law of the land) by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Rutten's main beef seems to be that rather than deporting improperly documented workers at a local LA garment maker, ICE required the company to fire the workers.  I find his position interesting because it seems to be inconsistent with his liberal positions on immigration reform (in the same op-ed piece).

(If the investigation had concluded under Bush, the undocumented workers would have been deported in addition to losing their jobs...somehow that's "better" to Rutten than the milder penalty.)

I was also interested on my own reaction to the article.  In my former life with a Food Pantry, we regularly provided assistance to folks who were likely undocumented workers.  We also provided the same food to folks who were clearly American citizens.  My friend, Pat's explanation was always the one that convinced me.  She said when she had someone question our policies, she offered to line up the children we helped feed and then she would allow the offended party to choose which ones would go hungry.

I would still do the same thing at the Pantry.  I am still in favor of a more reasonable policy for immigration and for seasonal workers/non-American workers.  And I don't agree at all with Rutten or the folks he quotes that this situation is a horror.  If anything, ICE chose the middle road.  Deportation would have been worse for those families affected.

Conservatives and antii-immigration folks will no doubt be upset that there weren't any deportations.  But will they agree that it's better for these folks to be employed, paying taxes, buying goods and services than to be jobless and still here?

Liberal and pro-immigration forces are clearly outraged that prosecution of this case continued after Obama took over as President...but are they willing to do what it takes to get the law changed to match their views...or are they just content to carp about "the Administration?"

And me?  I wonder how many of our 9.8% unemployed citizens will be applying for the 1,800 garment worker positions that are now open.