Letter: Get to the bottom of immigration issue

Friday, July 28, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

Although most immigration proposals have some merit, especially the provision of National Guard backups for the Border Patrol, one must wonder if the administration's ideas are based on what is best for America, or what is best for the Republicans to retain a majority in Congress.

The correct solution is essential if our biggest concern is doing what is best for America.

Work permits have been tried before and do not work. They may be great for fruit and vegetable growers, but they have spawned violence in unions and too many "temporary workers" just stay in the U.S. after the work is done.

History has shown that fences are extremely expensive but ineffective. More than 20 tunnels have been discovered since 9/11. And people just walk around fences, climb over them or cut holes in them.

I believe our antiquated birthright law is what needs to be addressed. Children of undocumented immigrants who are born in this country automatically become U.S. citizens.

This law is being misused by people who are crossing our borders illegally. The law should be changed, as that would discourage a significant number of undocumented immigrants from coming here.

Our legislators should consider making U.S.-born babies citizens of this country only if one of the married parents is a U.S. citizen. If not, the babies would be citizens of the country of the parents' citizenship. In the case of a single female, the baby would be a citizen of the country where the mother holds citizenship.

Frank Musaraca, Henderson