Article 1, Section 9, Paragraphs 1-3
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
Immigration Transition
The Congress was to take over immigration processing once the Constitution became ratified. In the mean while, the States handled immigration. The Congress reserved the right to impose an immigration tax to fund the new Federal department.
Having the Federal Government handle immigration was to make sure that immigration laws would be handled consistently throughout the United States. It was also to make sure that citizens would have free travel among the States. Leaving immigration processing to the States could cause some states to refuse to allow immigrants who were accepted by another State. There would be a possibility that some States would seek to attract certain immigrants to build up military might against other States.
The Federal Government's lack of initiative in immigration control recently has created broad based problems.
Ezekiel 33:6, "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand."
 |
 |
 |
