Immigrants fear new proposal that would allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws

Daniel Rosas Romero waits among the knots of men who line the sidewalks of a bustling street, hoping each day for painting, moving, gardening or construction jobs.

The day laborers - many of whom slipped into the United States undocumented - have established an uneasy relationship with local police, who don't ask whether they are in the country legally.

Romero fears that delicate balance could tip under a new proposal being considered by the Justice Department, which would allow local and state police to enforce immigration laws.

Oh no, we can't have this, police enforcing The Law. Whatever will become of...us?

Ye gods, is this what we've come to? We don't want the law enforced? Why is this even a question? And look who campaigns against it! Shock of shock, the very people who would end up being arrested. This is tantamount to having a "gang lobby" campaigning against anti-gang legislation.

(And, yes, I understand that the immigration issue is very complex, that most illegals are law-abiding while residing within the US, etc. However, the key word used in describing them is "illegal," and please let's not use that PC nonsense that they're merely "undocumented.")