Many people argue that all "illegal immigrants" should be arrested or deported, simply because they are in the country in violation of our law. This somewhat self-righteous attitude presupposes that all laws are inherently good and reasonable.

Consider, for a moment, the case of Rosa Parks. Parks was arrested because of her color, for choosing the wrong seat on a public bus. This arrest was in accordance with the laws of the time. And yet, many people at the time, and certainly most people today, would agree that the fault in that dispute was with the law, and not with Mrs. Parks. I wonder if we aren't in the same situation now.

If an immigrant arrives in this country (through whatever path), settles down, finds a job, earns a living wage, pays taxes, puts his children into school, and stays out of trouble, as most do, they are doing one heck of a lot better than a substantial fraction of the native population of this country. Why shouldn't we rush to welcome such a family into the fabric of our society?

In the end, maybe a merit system is one way to solve the problem. Let all immigrants in on a conditional basis. Six months or a year later, if they can demonstrate that they are productively contributing to society, rather than acting as a drain upon it, they may apply for citizenship. If not, deportation awaits.

(Submitted to The Oregonian, May 9)