Abstract
Under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, undocumented immigrants must be treated fairly. Across the nation, state and municipal governments attempt to regulate immigration by enacting laws with harsh penalties directly aimed at undocumented immigrants. When state and municipal governments take such action, they cause fear and unrest among all citizens living in their communities. This fear and unrest often leads to violence against the undocumented immigrants.
In addition, federal courts sometimes fail to recognize that undocumented immigrants have standing to challenge local government attempts to regulate immigration. Not only do these regulations negatively affect economic opportunities for undocumented immigrants, they also interfere with the rights of all citizens to work and earn a living. It is not the job of state and municipal governments to regulate immigration; this is an area that rests solely with the federal government. To combat these issues, American citizens must insist that Congress enact comprehensive legislation to make undocumented immigrants authorized employees, citizens, and taxpayers.
Recommended Citation
L. D. Weeden,
Standing and Speaking Constitutional Truth to Local Power Regarding Undocumented Immigrant Residents Dwelling With We the People of the United States,
34
S. Ill. U. L.J.
55
(2009).
Available at:
https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/siulj/vol34/iss1/2