Waukegan: Illegal immigration flashpoint

Up until a few years ago, Waukegan, Illinois was known for two things: It was Jack Benny's hometown, as well as the backdrop of Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine, although he renamed it Green Town.

But in the 21st century, Waukegan, which is located roughly halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, is an illegal immigration flashpoint.

That caught the attention of the New York Times, as I heard on Laura Ingraham's radio show, and not surprisingly, the "Old Gray Lady" presents a sympathetic view of the plight of illegal aliens.

But they did allow Waukegan's mayor, Richard H. Hyde, to comment, and the article ends this way:

"Do I believe in closing the borders?" Mr. Hyde said. "Do I believe in putting troops down there? You bet your life. Illegal is illegal, and that’s the end of the conversation, really."

This is a non sequitur, but this phrase from the article caught my eye, "From Illinois to Georgia to Arizona, these families are hiding in plain sight..."

How do you hide "in plain sight?"

Freedom Folks has Waukegan on their radar, and they showed some sympathy last summer with some teachers there being involuntarily transferred from their jobs because they don't speak Spanish. They fear they may eventually lose their jobs.

Technorati tags: Waukegan Illinois Illegal Immigration teaching education immigration New York Times Laura Ingraham Ray Bradbury books