I was very sorry to hear that HB2280, Arizona's Criminal Trespass Bill, failed by five votes in the House of Representatives.  I called Governor Jan Brewer's office urging her to show leadership on this issue.  I sent the following e-mail:

Dear Governor Brewer:

I was very disappointed to hear that the Arizona House of Representatives failed to approve HB2280, the Criminal Trespass Bill.  The population of illegal aliens and their children is a terrific burden to Arizona taxpayers:  Our schools, neighborhoods and jails are swarming with gangsters; drug use, drug smuggling and drug selling are rampant; drunk drivers make motorists unsafe in their cars; our police officers are intimidated by the fear of death; and the public and private social assistance programs that should be available to legal residents are being sponged up by people who broke the law to get into our state.

I understand that under current Supreme Court interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment, children born in the United States are American citizens even if both their parents broke the law to get here.  Although this interpretation is glaringly unfair and foolish, it is the law.  Still, people who entered the United States without permission, or who overstayed a visa, are criminals and should be treated as such.

Arizonans have a vital interest in ensuring that illegal aliens pack up their families and leave our state.  The Criminal Trespass Bill would be a strong step toward that goal.  I hope you will exert your influence to gain passage in the House, and then rigorously enforce the law.

Sincerely,

John Lyon