Blue Starlite North
Religion No Factor in Immigration Fight
RECEIVED Wed., July 12, 2006
Dear Editor,
Although I am a conservative and a senior citizen, I enjoy reading the alternative viewpoints in The Austin Chronicle.
I must say, regarding your June 30 [“Page Two”] editorial on illegal immigration, where you rambled on about religion being a factor in the support of the extreme right to secure our borders: If this were a question of abortion or gay rights, you might have a point, but to try and make this an issue on immigration is ridiculous.
All conservatives do want to have our borders secure, but this has nothing to do with any prejudice against Latinos as liberals try to imply to buttress their argument for open borders.
Virtually all countries the world over, including all of Latin America, attempt to secure their borders as far as they are able, and we should, too. A wall will help (to keep illegals “out,” not to keep citizens “in” as the Berlin Wall did), plus thousands of extra border patrols, surveillance technology, and all else possible to reduce the flood of illegals to a manageable trickle.
The point is that our country's resources are not infinite, and we cannot absorb the poor of the world, no matter how deserving they are. There, resources would be better spent helping our own poor citizens. Our government should decide each year how many immigrants we need to support our economy, who should be deported, who is to be given green cards to work, and how many immigrants to put on the path to citizenship.
The House has already indicated willingness to drop the clause designating all illegals as felons (though they are), as well as the clause prohibiting assistance to them by charities (i.e., the Catholic Church). Hopefully, the House and Senate in conference can reach a fair and practical compromise.
Although I am a conservative and a senior citizen, I enjoy reading the alternative viewpoints in The Austin Chronicle.
I must say, regarding your June 30 [“Page Two”] editorial on illegal immigration, where you rambled on about religion being a factor in the support of the extreme right to secure our borders: If this were a question of abortion or gay rights, you might have a point, but to try and make this an issue on immigration is ridiculous.
All conservatives do want to have our borders secure, but this has nothing to do with any prejudice against Latinos as liberals try to imply to buttress their argument for open borders.
Virtually all countries the world over, including all of Latin America, attempt to secure their borders as far as they are able, and we should, too. A wall will help (to keep illegals “out,” not to keep citizens “in” as the Berlin Wall did), plus thousands of extra border patrols, surveillance technology, and all else possible to reduce the flood of illegals to a manageable trickle.
The point is that our country's resources are not infinite, and we cannot absorb the poor of the world, no matter how deserving they are. There, resources would be better spent helping our own poor citizens. Our government should decide each year how many immigrants we need to support our economy, who should be deported, who is to be given green cards to work, and how many immigrants to put on the path to citizenship.
The House has already indicated willingness to drop the clause designating all illegals as felons (though they are), as well as the clause prohibiting assistance to them by charities (i.e., the Catholic Church). Hopefully, the House and Senate in conference can reach a fair and practical compromise.
Sincerely,
Winston Harwood
Winston Harwood
