Illegal Aliens in Arizona

Recently when I was driving back home from work and listening to KJAZ, the Phoenix, NPR station, they had a story about a gentleman, Walt Staton, who was fined for littering.

But this is not the issue at hand (Arizona doesn't have a lot of earth-shaking news but their news agencies can do better than a mere littering case). Staton was fined littering because he and others were putting water bottles out in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Arizona, along a well-known illegal alien border crossing path. This story plays right into the illegal alien debate - but to me this is more of a humanitarian issue.

As the bleeding heart liberal that I am, I side with Staton. I see nothing wrong with providing water to illegal aliens who have already crossed the border. To give or not give water is not going to stop illegal aliens from coming over. I guess those who are vehement that all illegal aliens are bad could argue that if there is the threat of dehydration and death, it will stop people from crossing. I have seen nothing to support this nonsensical argument. To most of these illegal aliens death is a threat they face daily be it on either side of the border. The larger issue could be that border patrol should stop this crossing in the first place.

Yet, getting back to the main point of this post, I just think it is basic human decency to provide water to these suffering souls. I don't see it encouraging illegal immigrants. As American's we fight for human rights around the world and this is human rights, to not allow these poor people to die out in the middle of the desert.

I am sure many will disagree (in Arizona, a very Republican state, illegal aliens are treated like dirt and many would say let them parish in the desert like dogs), but this is how I feel and in light of the holidays and the spirit of the Prophet Jesus PBUH, perhaps we can extend this kindness to those who desperately need it.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true servants of your Lord in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?" (Matthew 5:43-47 )

To read more about the incident in question -
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/13/nation/na-water-immigrants13