Letter: Don’t encourage the lawbreakers

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 | 7:14 a.m.

Regarding Jeff Simpson's Nov. 25 column about illegal immigration:

Mr. Simpson's diatribe against those opposed to illegal immigration is astounding. That he falls into the trap of equating those breaking the law with law-abiding immigrants is bad enough. But to also pander to those who are automatically sympathetic to illegals' aspirations is tragic. They characterize illegals as good, hardworking people seeking to better their and their families' lives. Forget that they are breaking the law and have inserted themselves at the head of the line versus those willing to play by the rules and enter legally.

It's like saying most bank robbers are good people basically, trying to better their lives and those of their children. Difference is, robbing banks is bad for business. Encouraging illegals willing to work for less than fair pay is good for business, and Mr. Simpson is, after all, a business editor.

If business truly needs additional immigrants to fill jobs that the approximately 5 percent of our workforce that is unemployed refuses to do, then quotas need to be increased. But supporters of illegals cannot reward illegal activity by saying, "Well, they made it in, so let's pretend there is nothing wrong with how they got here. Joe or Guadalupe waiting patiently in line back in their home country? They are essentially fools for not just sneaking in."

What nonsense!

Those opposed to such are neither racist nor xenophobic, neither rabble rousers nor anti-immigrant, neither KKK-like nor any other put-down. They are anti-unfairness and pro-law.

Richard Conner, Las Vegas