No doubt the apologists for immigration criminals will be outraged and slinging accusations of racism about this proposal from a local state representative.

A Republican Texas lawmaker plans to introduce a tough immigration measure similar to the new law in Arizona, a move state Democrats say would be a mistake.

Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball said she will push for the law in the January legislative session, according to Wednesday's editions of the San Antonio Express-News and Houston Chronicle.

"The first priority for any elected official is to make sure that the safety and security of Texans is well-established," said Riddle, who introduced a similar measure in 2009 that didn't get out of committee. "If our federal government did their job, then Arizona wouldn't have to take this action, and neither would Texas."

The Arizona law would require local and state law enforcement to question people about their immigration status – and make it a crime for immigrants to lack registration documents.

I realize that those who object to treating those engaged in illegal activity as criminals won’t like this, but the reality is that they are. No amount of sophistry from the open borders crowd can change that. What’s more, such legislation requires that inquiries be pursuant to other law enforcement contacts (no stopping someone because of their race or ethnicity) and the existence of a reasonable suspicion of an immigration offense (reasonable suspicion is already well-defined under the laws of this country, such as “stop-&-frisk” cases decided by the Supreme Court. What’s more, since the requirement that aliens carry proof of legal status is already a component of federal law, it imposes no new burden upon any individual legally in the country (and the Arizona statute includes a valid Arizona driver’s license or state ID as proof of citizenship – Texas law could do the same). So there is really no untoward burden being placed upon any individual legally in the country.

Of course, if we were to try to implement laws like those concerning foreigners in Mexico, Texas would truly become a police state:

-- The Mexican government will bar foreigners if they upset "the equilibrium of the national demographics." How's that for racial and ethnic profiling?

-- If outsiders do not enhance the country's "economic or national interests" or are "not found to be physically or mentally healthy," they are not welcome. Neither are those who show "contempt against national sovereignty or security." They must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories. Those seeking to obtain Mexican citizenship must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care.

-- Illegal entry into the country is equivalent to a felony punishable by two years' imprisonment. Document fraud is subject to fine and imprisonment; so is alien marriage fraud. Evading deportation is a serious crime; illegal re-entry after deportation is punishable by ten years' imprisonment. Foreigners may be kicked out of the country without due process and the endless bites at the litigation apple that illegal aliens are afforded in our country (see, for example, President Obama's illegal alien aunt -- a fugitive from deportation for eight years who is awaiting a second decision on her previously rejected asylum claim).

-- Law enforcement officials at all levels -- by national mandate -- must cooperate to enforce immigration laws, including illegal alien arrests and deportations. The Mexican military is also required to assist in immigration enforcement operations. Native-born Mexicans are empowered to make citizens' arrests of illegal aliens and turn them in to authorities.

-- Ready to show your papers? Mexico's National Catalog of Foreigners tracks all outside tourists and foreign nationals. A National Population Registry tracks and verifies the identity of every member of the population, who must carry a citizens' identity card. Visitors who do not possess proper documents and identification are subject to arrest as illegal aliens.

So those who complain about the hardships placed upon Mexicans who have slipped across the border in to the United States in violation of our nation’s laws and sovereignty need to realize that the requirements under the Arizona law (and the Texas proposal) are significantly less burdensome that those imposed upon aliens – and Mexican citizens – in Mexico. Of course, the REAL burden that the supporters of immigration criminals really object to are the ones that they have brought upon themselves by breaking the law in the first place – bad employment prospects and fear of arrest and deportation. But since when do lawbreakers have the right to escape detection by the authorities?

After all, it isn’t like we are going to take these and arm them against border-jumpers.