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November 15, 2009

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Letter: Legalization of migrants has a negative impact

Friday, March 29, 2002 | 4:16 a.m.

It is hugely profitable for Mexico to encourage the migration of Mexican workers into the United States and their legalization as U.S. citizens, which the Bush/Fox talks are promoting. And it is hugely profitable to some American employers to import these new workers.

But what about the long-term best interests of the state of Nevada? Mexican immigrants are sending more than $10 billion dollars back to Mexico every year. This is $10 billion dollars that is lost to local American businesses in the communities where immigrants reside. And while this money is draining out of American communities, the costs of educating immigrant children and the costs of building the infrastructure that created the jobs these immigrants are taking is paid for by the American taxpayer.

Encouraging more Mexicans to come to America by legalizing the illegal workers is a huge fiscal drain for Nevada in the long run. And it does little to solve the underlying problems that create poverty in Mexico.

JONETTE CHRISTIAN Holden, Maine

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