Letter: Abide by our laws or suffer consequences

Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.

This is in response to Amy Thomason's letter on illegals ("U.S. should build bridges, not walls," Wednesday).

She believes that illegals should be registered and given legitimate identification. Why? Illegals have broken the law. If we know who they are and where they are, they should be deported, not given legitimate IDs.

This is tantamount to open borders. Why would anyone wait to immigrate legally, when he can just break the law, come here and be given a legitimate ID? And then, as Ms. Thomason purports, be given a path to citizenship.

As for her "we all want a better life for our children" excuse, I guess she means that breaking the law is a good example for your children - the ends justify the means.

And as to her "do unto others" phrase, just try entering another country illegally, then insisting that they pay your medical bills, pay for your education and give you your driver's license test in your own language. What nonsense.

We are a nation of laws. If we allow citizens to pick and choose which of our laws they want to enforce, then we are heading toward that slippery slope of anarchy.

Any country that does not control its own borders is no longer a sovereign nation, i.e., it is not in control of its own destiny or has the power to make decisions for itself.

I do not understand her reasoning for giving lawbreakers legitimacy and a chance to become citizens.

Richard McArthur, Las Vegas