Well, Arizona’s really done it this time. Their governor went and signed some God-awful-law that’s going to actually allow local police to do what the federal government should have been doing for the past 100 years: enforce immigration laws.

The backlash has been fierce. Protesters have camped out in the state’s capitol. Members of Congress have decried the law. Rev. Al Sharpton is threatening to march on Phoenix. Lord help the immigrant.

Never mind that the nation’s southern border is about as porous as a piece of chicken wire. Never mind that there are people out there who would like nothing better to do then sneak into this country and detonate a nuclear bomb in one of our major cities. Never mind that drug violence in Mexico has escalated to the point that it is dangerously close to spilling into the U.S.

Look, we all can agree that America is the “melting pot” of the world. This nation was founded on the backs of immigrants from Europe and slaves from Africa. Part of what makes this nation so great is our diversity and our willingness to accept one another as equals. Admittedly, that is something we struggle with each and every day. And as long as racism, intolerance, and hatred exist, it’s something we will continue to struggle with. But we do our best to overcome it and move on.

I don’t have an issue with a Mexican man or woman entering this country legally to provide for their families. They want the same things desired by the Irish, the Italians, the English, the Germans, and the Swedish – those many nationalities that centuries ago desired a better life for themselves. We should support and encourage them to pursue citizenship because it is these types of people who make our country stronger.

But immigration laws and regulations are there for a reason and one of those reasons is to protect the lawful citizens of this country from threats, internally.

And, unfortunately, since 9/11, we live in an era of fear.