Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer recently raised the ire of a lot of people when she signed Senate Bill 1070 into law. Because of this bill, people will be required to show proof of citizenship if there is reasonable suspicion that they are in the country illegally.

California state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg is even pushing for California to protest by ending its state contracts with Arizona.

Difficult as it may be, this entire situation highlights the fact that something comprehensive needs to be done about illegal immigration in our country.

Let’s make one thing clear: this issue isn’t about racism. It’s about people who cut in line to get into this country and demand government handouts.

I’m sorry if you fail to see the distinction between the two, but I can’t help you with that.

Rewarding sneaking over the border is a slap in the face to those who saved their hard-earned money to move here legally and waited to apply for citizenship.

Fortunately, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sees the need for immigration reform and is ignoring Steinberg’s rally cries.

“We showed our displeasure and we made it very clear that this is not something that we will do here in California,” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference this week. “I also made sure that we challenge the federal government and let them know that they have to act.”

Schwarzenegger is against Arizona’s SB 1070 but still supports immigration reform, indicating he recognizes the inherent flaws of the bill but does not agree that the government “must” do anything for people who illegally enter this country.

“He recognizes the contributions that the immigrant community makes in California,” said Schwarzenegger spokesman Francisco Castillo. “That’s why he’s reiterating the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.”

Some people have the mistaken idea that it is their right to be given housing, food stamps and other government benefits without being an actual citizen or contributing to Social Security, Medicaid or any other number of social welfare programs.

If someone is a legal worker and paying taxes, that person is contributing to the American economy and should be entitled to all of the same rights and benefits as any other legal citizen.

Someone who sneaked over the American border to get an under-the-table job and doesn’t pay into the system is not contributing. These people allow companies to undercut legal wage laws. Would you accept a stranger breaking into your house and demanding that you feed and house them without payment? How is this any different?

I’m expecting someone to write me and say that we should give amnesty to everyone who came over illegally to work because illegal immigrants are the only people willing to pick crops and wash dishes.

My response to that argument is this: Maybe the many jobless legal citizens in this country would be willing to do those tasks if they were actually paid legal wages.

And really, in this economy, I doubt illegal immigrants are the only group of people willing to do those jobs. It’s time for us to put that poor argument to rest. It’s just very difficult to raise wages when others are constantly willing to come in and undercut. Americans seem to be changing their ways a lot in this economy and are more humble all around.

Produce and restaurant prices possibly going up is not a valid reason to condone the exploitation of underpaid workers. Doing so only contributes to employers committing tax evasion and other offenses.

America faces the huge liability of taking on illegal immigrants.

We must confront this political correctness gone awry and say “no more.”

JuliaBaum can be reached at [email protected]