Antonio V. takes on ICE

Antonio Villaraigosa, mayor of Los Angeles and one of my favorite politicians, is taking on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), because they're busting legitimate businesses in their search for illegal aliens. This is an argument that conservatives don't seem to get: it's not good for business.

"I am concerned that ICE enforcement actions are creating an impression that this region is somehow less hospitable to these critical businesses than other regions," Villaraigosa wrote in a March 27 letter to Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

It's not just a liberal do-gooder thing. Businesses are making their voices heard:

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary L. Toebben agreed on the need for reform legislation.

Toebben also sent a letter to Chertoff saying that workplace raids are "devastating" to businesses that are trying to follow the law.

The Chamber of Commerce for a city like Los Angeles represents lots of people. People with money. People who, occasionally, vote Republican, but are a little less inclined to do so this time around.

Antonio is going to get slammed for this. He knows it. Kudos to him for standing up on this issue. The LA Times offers some rare unqualified praise in an editorial:

Villaraigosa's willingness to brave such vitriol on behalf of good policy is genuine leadership.

Every now and then a politician makes you proud that you voted for them.