Letter: Immigration problem calls for sacrifices

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

Regarding Patricia Keasling's letter ("Immigration debate often ignores facts," Friday):

I could see she conveniently ignored several facts herself.

Yes, illegal immigrants pay taxes, work hard, are religious and, yes, most of the vitriol is aimed at Mexicans. But she failed to mention all the crimes - gang activities, drug trafficking, graffiti, etc. - and how illegal immigrants are bankrupting the public health care system among other things.

Illegal immigrants broke the law by being here illegally and should be treated according to the law. Yes, we need those people who do the work some Americans are unwilling to do, but again they should have to come here through legal channels.

It's not only fair for those who've been waiting for visas in their countries for years but it's also a matter of security of the nation - we can screen out the undesirables and suspected terrorists. One thing clear to me is that we can't blame the illegals here for this mess. We have only ourselves to blame because we're the ones who elected those gutless, untruthful and self-serving politicians (they call themselves honorable) who could not or were unwilling to tackle this mess.

Democrats want to expand their political base, Republicans and business want cheap labor, and we, the consumers, are addicted to cheap goods and services. It may never happen, but when politicians, businesses and consumers all together realize we absolutely need to tackle this mess one way or the other, we will probably solve this calamity. Otherwise, it will get worse.

John Lee, Henderson