Letter to the Editor: Immigrant letter baseless, makes bogus claims
I’ve read hateful, baseless, anti-immigrant diatribes before, but Richard Moss’ March 19 letter “Illegal immigrant amnesty threatens country” takes the cake.
It so full of bogus claims that I’d need all the pages in the newspaper to respond. Instead, let me say a few words about immigration.
1) We are a nation of immigrants. Those who come here to seek a better life for themselves and their families should be given a chance to achieve the American Dream.
2) Our immigration system is broken. A majority of Republicans and Democrats support comprehensive immigration reform that creates a 21st century system which reflects our values and treats all immigrants with the respect and dignity that they deserve.
3) The President’s executive action is not a substitute for comprehensive reform and it is most certainly not amnesty. Instead, it will give those who live in America legal work status and protection from deportation. This is the least we can do for the men and women who help make our country go.
The base of the Statue of Liberty says “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Dr. Moss could use a refresher.
Viviana Calvillo
Huntingburg, Ind.
Amen, Ms. Cavillo! It’s too bad these naysayers don’t realize (or rather acknowledge) that a legal work status means payroll and income taxes will be paid by these hard working people which can only benefit America. Here’s hoping common sense prevails!
Taxes have nothing to do with it nor being hard working. To be here legally one must follow the law as millions of our ancestors did then they have the right to become citizens. This is common sense!
The PROBLEM is that there are millions of them here. Why spend billions attempting to send them back? When you have lemons, why not make lemonade? What is the most cost effective way to fix the problem? I believe to give them the opportunity to become a part of our great country is the best option. And, yes, our ancestors and others have done it as outlined by our laws, but this problem is an extraordinary circumstance and calls for an extraordinary one-time fix.
Grainry,
That’s exactly what they said back when Ronald Regan initiated an amnesty program in the 80’s. If this isn’t fixed with a solution that makes people think twice about just hopping the fence, we’ll be talking about this again in 30 years.
You’re right — there should be consequences; however, I’d venture to say that the problem has grown exponentially since the 80s. At some point we have to decide when the problem is so big (as it is now with millions of illegals in the country) that we should consider zeroing out the numbers and start over. We could build the great wall of China between Mexico and the US borders and people would still find a way to cross. We’ve had this problem with Cuba – obviously not to this extent – and now the country is looking for peaceful coexistence. We have a great country and one that our close neighbors (who have severe problems in their own countries) want to come to. Mexico and Nicaragua have such severe turmoil I, personally, cannot help but understand why people want to leave. And we are the closest to them. There is absolutely no way this issue will be resolved by writing on this blog. I won’t change your mind and you won’t change mine. I just hope that the “powers that be ” come up with an equitable resolution that doesn’t bankrupt us.