An illegal immigrant, Elvira Arellano, took refuge in a Chicago church a year ago. She has now announced that she is departing to go fight for the legalization of illegal immigrants - in Washington, D.C..

Much has been said about Elvira and what will happen to her. She has a legal son. Will they be split up when she leaves sanctuary? Who knows?  But, this morning, I heard an interesting fact that I had not heard before (given, I haven’t followed this case that closely).

I knew that Elvira had arrived at her illegal status in this country by walking across the border. But, I did not know that she had already been deported and returned 3 days later.  Obviously, she knew she was violating the laws of the United States;  yet, she did it, anyway.

Should we make allowances for those immigrants that go on to have kids and just say “well, they have family here… let’s let them stay… but not these others over there”? Does that seem fair to you? Does that seem like a standard that will be abused to the highest degree, if it is set?

I only bring this up… because, there are so many people these days that say “well, let the ones with families stay.” Does that make them less illegal? I don’t know about this logic.  I rarely here people say “well, we can’t put that robber or drug dealer behind bars.  He has family!”  But, illegal immigrants are knowingly violating the laws of the United States.  What’s the difference?