From the L.A. Times story "Immigration Sweeps Become an Election Issue for Rep. Baca":

Because of his activism [in support of illegal immigrant and in opposition to our laws --LW], [Rep. Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino)] has become a lightning rod of criticism from supporters of the [recent immigration sweeps 100 miles from the border] and from a Southern California Border Patrol union whose members felt the congressman vilified them for detaining the suspects, according to those from both parties watching the election closely...

[...Some think he may have bitten off more than he could chew...]

Baca's stance on the sweeps has brought greater media attention and support to his Republican challenger, Ed Laning, a construction company executive who adamantly supports the Border Patrol operations...

"There is this kernel of just incredible anger about immigration," [UC Riverside political science professor Max Neiman] said. "It does have a potential for exploding."

...[Baca] also declared the sweeps illegal and accused the Border Patrol agents of overstepping their authority.

Baca and several other legislators in Washington discussed the sweeps with Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security at the Department of Homeland Security. After the meeting, Hutchinson declared the sweeps a violation of agency policy and said future operations far from the border must be approved by the department.

...Baca has said that he favors enforcing the law but believes federal immigration authorities should instead hunt down employers who hire illegal immigrants...

[...Border Patrol agents post anti-Baca messages to bulletin boards...]

Joanne Peters, a Baca spokeswoman, said the union members who attacked the congressman are "loose cannons" who have been reprimanded by their superiors...

Short of moving to Baca's district, perhaps we should take him up on his offer. I'm sure he won't mind if we start conducting sweeps against the employers of his "constituents."

Baca might be able to pull strings to silence those "loose cannons," but I have a feeling his attempts to squelch their First Amendment rights will backfire.