Letter: Workers should be here legally to attain benefits

Thursday, April 14, 2005 | 8:55 a.m.

It is time for the Las Vegas media to clear up the misconception that people who are against illegal immigration are against the Latino community. By most accounts, this is far from the truth.

The truth is that legal residents are against only those who believe that it's OK to break the law to receive all the benefits and opportunities here in the United States.

Supporters of illegal immigrants argue that this country is made up of people who came here from all over the world, that we are a nation of immigrants. But these previous groups did not run across the border by the millions. They came by ships and planes and went through the legal channels to gain their rightful place here in America. One look at Ellis Island in the New York harbor provides the perfect testimonial on behalf of this successful migration.

Should we assume that simply because of the shared border, those coming here illegally should be given preference over other immigrants trying to use the legitimate methods to arrive in this country?

There is also the claim that illegal immigrants are good, taxpaying citizens. Friday is April 15. How many illegal immigrants do you suppose will be in line at the post office, attempting to file income taxes against the fake Social Security numbers they carry?

RAY VERHELST