Ruben Navarrette Jr. is spewing his usual nonsense on illegal immigration.  But here’s an interesting tidbit that veers outside his usual claims of racist inspired hate:

Here’s the problem. The naysayers once again let their fear of what could happen blind them to the fact that, well, it already has happened. 

When lawmakers proposed a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, the naysayers reflexively called it “amnesty” — which is, in essence, what we have now.

When lawmakers proposed offering that path to young people who pursue higher education, the naysayers called it — wait for it — “amnesty” — and imagined a scenario where illegal immigrants would attend U.S. colleges and universities, which is what happens now. 

According to Mr. Navarrette, if a law doesn’t stop an illegal activity, it should be legalized.  We share the roadways with drunk drivers despite the law, so why not legalize driving under the influence?  After all, we aren’t stopping it.  Why waste the time and effort, right?

However, what he doesn’t consider is that although we may not stop an activity, we certainly don’t want to provide incentives for it.  For example, allowing illegal immigrant children to attend college for free, which is what need based financial aid will produce for people with little to no documented income, provides a hell of an incentive for more illegal immigrants to cross our border.  This is especially true when you look at all the citizens, AKA people who are actually suppose to be here, who graduate with 10s of thousands in student loan debt. 

Besides, even if these proposals weren’t encouraging more illegal immigrantion, we are under absolutely no obligation to make criminals’ lives easier.  What next?  Proposals to make thieves bank vice presidents.  This is a nation of laws.  Get real.