Recent news reports and events that seek to demonize and thwart the efforts of our law enforcement to carry out their duties has made me realize that that a simple statement needs to be made.

Our laws should be enforced.  

Immigrants entering our country without documentation have broken U.S. law.

Smuggling, human trafficking and selling of drugs by undocumented immigrants has escalated the danger to all of us.  Our citizens have been raped and murdered by undocumented immigrants. These violent criminals must be held accountable for their crimes and then deported.

Recently reported illegal activity by noncitizens include CDL drivers who cannot speak or read English.  All the signage in the U.S. is in English.  Those employers who granted these licenses should also be held to account for their actions.

Any noncitizen here on a visa (work, student, tourist) who has overstayed that visa illegally (without notifying the government) has broken our laws.  Lying on their visa application about why they are here is against the law.

The criminal acts of those who, citizen or noncitizen, seek to defraud the taxpayers of the U.S. by knowingly receiving government benefits must be prosecuted and, if not citizens, be deported. 

Additionally, anyone who participates in that fraudulent activity by receiving money from that person or business entity should be prosecuted.

This is why we should support ICE, Border Patrol, FBI and other law enforcement officers who are charged with serving arrest warrants and criminal detainers issued by a court of law.  It is for our protection.

John Dufour lives in Warren