Micro-Solution to Macro-Problem

The city of Encinitas wisely repealed its ban on curbside hiring last week rather than force a federal court judge to strike it down. U.S. District Court Judge John Rhoades had indicated that the law approved in May was probably unconstitutional.

But the city’s squeaky wheel approach to the North County-wide problem of migrant street hiring has brought in the Border Patrol. Last week, agents began issuing reminders to curbside employers to check workers for documents. The Sheriff’s Department also plans a more questionable sweep through migrant camps to enforce trespassing laws. Experience shows that sporadic enforcement yields temporary results. Soon after authorities leave, migrants are back seeking the day work crucial to their subsistence.

Encinitas’ efforts, however, again highlight municipalities’ total inability to cope with the burden of what is a federal responsibility--a situation that probably won’t change until local governments force change.