Walter E. Williams, John M Olin distinguished professor of economics at George Mason University, is an author and syndicated columnist known for his libertarian views.
He recently has written a column favoring the controversial Arizona immigration law. He writes, “My sentiment on immigration are expressed by the welcoming words poet Emma Lazarus’ but does each individual on the planet have natural or god given right to live in the U.S.?”
He further writes, “I believe most people would not say that everyone had a right to live in U.S. but conditional requirement to live. But who gets to set those conditions.”
“People become illegal immigrants in one of three ways: entering without authorization or inspection, staying beyond the authorized period after legal entry or by violating the terms of legal entry. Most of those who risk prosecution under Arizona's new law fit the first category – entering without authorization or inspection.”
He categorically says hardworking Mexican immigrants will suffer, and that will be hurt wrenching but crime is crime. Moreover, he is not in favor of amnesia.
Over all he suggests, strict enforcement of immigration laws, as Arizona has begun, strictly before the border security.
William graduated from California State University, LA, in 1965 and completed masters in 1967. He also received Ph.D from the same university on 1972.
As an economist, he is proponent of free market economics, and against socialistic system and government intervention. He is outspoken champion of black education. He is critic of minimum wage system and affirmative action.