Joseph Carens Passage Of Time Essay

It seems that the passage of time is a factor to consider when you are discussing the issue of illegal immigration. I think it’s a logical part of the conversation only if it’s used appropriately. Joseph H Carens a professor of political science at the university of Toronto has commonly used the theme of time in his article, the case for amnesty. Caren’s states a moral claim that time erodes the states right to deport illegal immigrants. He uses a very convincing approach to lure the reader to look past the law and focus on the pure intentions that the illegal immigrants have when coming over the border illegally. One of Carens subjects was Miguel Sanchez an adult who was struggling financially in his hometown, who could barely put enough together for bills. Because of this …show more content…
In the pledge of allegiance, there is a line that states, “liberty and justice for all.” How is it just to have a set of rules in place only to have them followed by certain people? In Carens article, it seems that he was overlooking a heavily significant principle, the rule of law; an idea that the law governs everyone. By requiring the leaders of this country, the rich, the poor, the educated to adhere to the same law creates a thread of fairness and justice that needs to be followed by people from all walks of life, no if’s and’s or but’s. When Caren’s states that even though what Sanchez did was illegal he deserves to stay because he has been here for a while; he is, as a result allowing certain people to follow the law and giving passes on some crimes. Is that fair or is that arbitrary? Then again, why would I look to Caren’s to have any inclination of what are considered fair and just laws if he believes someone like Sanchez deserves to stay in the U.S.A. You can’t be considered an American citizen if you are an illegal immigrant, even if you have been in the country for