The law and reality are two different things – and that is the case now in Rhode Island as the state grapples with the immigration issue.

Recently the most prominent local story has been Rhode Island Gov. Carcieri's immigration order, issued in March. While the legal edicts are fairly straightforward, inappropriate and illegal consequences will likely reach into the soul of the immigrant community.

The law and reality are two different things – and that is the case now in Rhode Island as the state grapples with the immigration issue.

Recently the most prominent local story has been Rhode Island Gov. Carcieri's immigration order, issued in March. While the legal edicts are fairly straightforward, inappropriate and illegal consequences will likely reach into the soul of the immigrant community.

Are some of the provisions of Gov. Carcieri's order permissible and enforceable under federal and state law? Clearly, yes. Are some provisions ill-advised and unsupported by any data? Certainly. Are their going to be bad and ugly familial, cultural and societal consequences, above and beyond the letter of the order's law? Absolutely, and this last fact will be difficult for the community to analyze, stomach, and overcome.

It is a shameful fact, but there are hoards of citizens – most of European decent (aka Caucasion) – that view the Latino community as one big blob of undesirables. They might be frustrated by the War or by the economy, and their anger may be rooted in race or nationality. Whatever the etiology, they are loud, and they have successfully defined the immigration issue as of late.

So, out comes the order from Gov. Carcieri, and while the advisability of the order is debatable, the Governor had the power to issue it – and not all of the order is horrific. However, its development and enactment added government legitimacy to the ignorant anti-immigrant & anti-latino fever. This perhaps unintended extra-legal consequence is what is most scary.

The Governor's goals could have been reached in so many other ways – all more humane and, frankly, American. Reach out to the community. Hold hard talks with church leaders. Involve the legislature. So many other methods would have been better save the choice he made – a unilateral executive order.

What can be done? Here are some suggestions, both legal and personal.

• Support your community, community businesses and your community leaders;

• Voice your opinion through legitimate channels – any misbehavior will add support to the anti-immigrants;

• If you are a citizen, vote;

• If you can become a citizen, apply;

• Learn your legal rights as a citizen or legal permanent resident;

• Realize, however painfully, that the government is not a friend of immigrants right now, and it needs your voice to improve;

• Be certain that change will not occur without time and work, and keep working for change;

• If you have immigration issues, then then talk to an immigration attorney – not a notario, not your friends, not your uncle. Get the truth about your case;

• If you don't speak english and you need government help of any kind, then have someone with you who speaks it well.

• If you can, then learn english. It may not be right, but the anti-immigrant mob does not like it when people do not speak english...speaking it disarms them.

• Report harassment and abuse by public and private citizens to the authorities, church and community groups.

• Finally, love your family, teach your children mutual respect despite examples to the contrary, and know in your heart that your children will live in a better, more accepting country when they grow up because of you.