1. What is the main idea of Thomas Sowell’s commentary?

2. Editorial writers often criticize political trends or decisions and sometimes offer an alternative solution to a problem.
a) What political trend is Thomas Sowell criticizing?
b) What solution does he offer?

3. Read the following assertions made by Dr. Sowell. For each, state whether you agree or disagree and explain your answers.

1. __________________ "Why is it not supposed to be called 'amnesty'? Because illegal immigrants must 'earn' their citizenship. But if an ordinary American citizen gets a traffic ticket, the law is not going to just forget about it, no matter what good deeds he does afterwards." (para. 7)
2. __________________ "Why are there immigration laws in the first place? For the benefit of the American people -- not for the benefit of people in other countries who want to come here." (para. 12)
3. __________________ "If legal benefits are conferred on illegal immigrants before the border is secured, we may as well give up any pretense that we have an immigration policy, because benefits conferred are never going to be taken back, no matter how porous the border remains." (para. 16)