“This delivery of this message today was pandering to a certain population and I believe it was political.” So says Jan Brewer, infamous Governor of Arizona. If there is anyone who would know about pandering to a ‘certain population’ it would be the finger wagging Governor Brewer. She was referring to President Obama issuing an executive order which will allow people who were not born in this country and were brought here by parents when they were young, to stay in this country for two years without fear of deportations. There are standards that must be met and the order, despite what some (Rush Limbaugh in particular) have stated doesn’t allow those young people amnesty. As one astute reporter from Telemundo emphasized, it doesn’t make them citizens or offer green cards or allows them the right to vote. They are still not legal citizens under this order.

Through no fault of their own, these young people have been put in a legal wormhole. Legally, they aren’t citizens of this country however it wasn’t the fault of the kids that they are here. It’s not like the students were in their home country and at the age of 3, 5, or 12 decided to cross into the United States. The people affected by the executive order are not going to be criminals, are not going to be drains on the system. The people this order will help are those young people who have spent little time in their home countries, who have lived here most of their lives and have gone to school here. Some may even be serving in the military. What they want to do is contribute to the country they call home.

The tricky issue with illegal immigration is as much as conservatives demonize them; all these folks want to do is have a part in the American dream. In an odd sense, Mitt Romney was near the truth when he talked about self deportation. People come here looking for opportunity and as long as there are jobs available, jobs that, to be honest, most Americans feel is beneath them to take, there will be people willing to hire people who are not legal in this country. Many of those folks who hire illegals are like Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney famously talked about how he told his landscaper he couldn’t have illegals working for him because he was “running for President for Pete’s sake.” When Mitt Romney hired the contractor, who hired the workers, Romney I’m sure used cost as a factor on who he hired. If Romney was indeed of the mind that he was ‘running for President’ I would think he would be insistent on the workers being legal before that possibility was brought to his attention.

The sort of 'trust the status until we might get caught' aspect seems to be the thinking of many people in this country. How many political careers have been sidetracked or ruined in the past twenty years because of illegal nannies or housekeepers being hired? You would think two things would happen in these circumstances. First you would figure elected officials would be extremely vigilant to make sure their help is legal. Second, why don’t they have stricter laws against companies and employers that hire illegal workers?

Politicians are like everyone else when it comes to illegal immigrations. When times are great, people don't care too much. They will hire a nanny or gardener with a wink and a nod. Legal workers know their rights, so they aren't going to put up with long working hours with little pay. Employers take advantage of illegal workers, knowing there will be little consequence if they get caught. They skim off the top or bottom to get more bids and to make more money, but the illegal workers aren't going to share in the profits. An American worker, knowing their rights, would demand fair compensation.

When times are rough, like they are now, people want a scapegoat for their problems. All of a sudden illegals are taking jobs away from them, illegals manipulate elections by voting illegally, they drain the resources of a cash strapped municipality. We've all heard the talking points. The kids aren't part of that equation. Like I said, they didn't wake up from the crib and decided to cross the border. If anything, the people given a reprieve with this executive order are being given what they deserve. It would be easy for these kids to fall into the system, to demand services and funding for what they have been through. No, all they want is a chance to share in the American dream. They have lived right, been good and graduated from school, just like any other American. They at least deserve the right to stay here in the country they know and love.