Post by admin on Feb 1, 2008 5:35:56 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/OPINION04/801300304/1032
Immigration not enforced
The Jan. 3 letter "Illegals problem is created by legals" was half right, but the writer missed the most important half. Sadly, government at all levels is failing to address this invasion.
The Jan. 16 letter "Illegals aren't crime problem" epitomizes naivete. Illegals who violate our borders against our laws commit our country's largest crime problem by virtue of this violation.
A true story: Thirty years ago when I was in the food service business, a federal immigration officer told me, "If your kitchen helper is an illegal you will be subject to a $10,000 fine." My kitchen helper was from Puerto Rico, a U.S. possession. By virtue of this, the helper was a U.S. citizen.
This experience illustrates the failure today of immigration authorities to do their job. When government — national, state and local — fail to do their duty, legal citizens are the losers. The decline of government enforcement officers to do their function is the reason 10 million to 12 million invaded our country.
Securing the border is the first order of business, going after the employers is next. Closing the job market will send the illegals home. Discouraging misguided members of the clergy from defending and assisting lawbreakers will aid our efforts.
All immigrants are welcome in the U.S. if they use the proper channels to become citizens.
W.J. Eugene Kelsey
FREEHOLD
Immigration not enforced
The Jan. 3 letter "Illegals problem is created by legals" was half right, but the writer missed the most important half. Sadly, government at all levels is failing to address this invasion.
The Jan. 16 letter "Illegals aren't crime problem" epitomizes naivete. Illegals who violate our borders against our laws commit our country's largest crime problem by virtue of this violation.
A true story: Thirty years ago when I was in the food service business, a federal immigration officer told me, "If your kitchen helper is an illegal you will be subject to a $10,000 fine." My kitchen helper was from Puerto Rico, a U.S. possession. By virtue of this, the helper was a U.S. citizen.
This experience illustrates the failure today of immigration authorities to do their job. When government — national, state and local — fail to do their duty, legal citizens are the losers. The decline of government enforcement officers to do their function is the reason 10 million to 12 million invaded our country.
Securing the border is the first order of business, going after the employers is next. Closing the job market will send the illegals home. Discouraging misguided members of the clergy from defending and assisting lawbreakers will aid our efforts.
All immigrants are welcome in the U.S. if they use the proper channels to become citizens.
W.J. Eugene Kelsey
FREEHOLD