But, But… Illegal Aliens Are Mostly Peaceful
by James A. Bacon
I have been assured by the smartest people that it’s a myth that illegal immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans. But it is indisputable that some illegal aliens do commit crimes. Here in Virginia, the individual arrested and charged in connection to a double murder in a Loudoun County parking lot, Marlyn Medrano-Ortiz, is affiliated with the criminal Salvadoran gang MS-13.
Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s racist and xenophobic to single out instances like this. Except it’s really not. Indeed, one could argue that it’s racist and xenophobic to sweep the crimes of illegal immigrants under the rug. The reason is that their victims are disproportionately likely to be of the same ethnicity. You see, criminals usually commit violent offenses against people whom they know personally or mix in the same circles.
Fortunately, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman doesn’t cut illegal aliens any slack. Reports Fox News:
“I am on record strongly opposing the presence of MS-13 and other violent gangs in our nation and local communities,” the sheriff said. “MS-13 is an El Salvador-based gang that uses intimidation, crime, and violence as tools of the trade, and there should be no safe place for them here.”
“I am also on record opposing the casual treatment of persons in this country illegally who commit crimes against U.S. citizens and others.”
“Today’s arrest is not an isolated matter,” Chapman added. “MS-13 operates throughout the northern Virginia region, and just this summer Loudoun experienced one of the most horrific crimes in memory.”
Ironically, Loudoun County was listed in 2022 by the Center for Immigratopm Studies as a “sanctuary jurisdiction.” States USCIS: “The specific policies adopted by these localities vary, but typically include a commitment to not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, to not inquire about immigration status during law enforcement interactions, and to provide services to all residents regardless of immigration status.”
Sounds like Chapman didn’t get the message. He led quite the manhunt to track down Ortiz, and he certainly didn’t mince words about the “casual treatment” of illegal aliens who commit crimes.
Ortiz is, of course, is presumed innocent until found guilty. But if he is convicted, he should be deported. And so should every convicted criminal who is residing in this country illegally. If Americans can’t agree on that, we can’t agree on anything.
