Scottsdale sets a good example

In some communities where local officials had backed away from enforcement of laws regarding illegal immigration — or even given active encouragement to illegal aliens — they are re-evaluating those policies. Scottsdale, Ariz., is among them.

In making arrests, Scottsdale police for some time had not even bothered to check the immigration status of those in custody. That ended Oct. 15, as a result of a murder in September.

A Phoenix, Ariz., police officer was murdered by an illegal alien who had been arrested 16 months previously in Scottsdale, on a misdemeanor charge. He was released because Scottsdale police failed to make a routine check that would have disclosed that the man was an illegal immigrant who had been deported twice in the past.

Now, Scottsdale officers check the immigration status of everyone they arrest. Those found to be illegal aliens are turned over to federal authorities.

We have always believed that local law enforcement agencies should enforce immigration laws. The Arizona tragedy should reinforce their policy regarding the issue.