Immigration legislation is not racist

Kathleen M. Stone, Pahrump

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 | 2:03 a.m.

After reading Alvaro Huerta’s commentary Monday, “We need to stop blaming immigrants,” I have some comments.

First, the correct term is illegal, not undocumented. Undocumented signifies that they can expect to be recognized as being in my country legally any day now. That is not going to happen.

Second, why use the term xenophobic when describing legislation being passed to allow states to enforce the current laws dealing with illegal aliens? This legislation is not racist. It is being passed because the U. S. government refuses to enforce the laws currently on the books, and Americans are angry. Legal Americans must abide by the laws of our country, so too should these illegal aliens. And since the term “illegal” means “against the law, criminal, illegitimate, prohibited, etc.,” how else should they be described?

Third, these individuals are not earning an “honest” living when they are dishonestly in my country.

Fourth, “the previous millions of Europeans who settled in this country during time of war and economic upheaval” came into this country legally, most through Ellis Island. Illegally crossing over our border does not qualify for official recognition as a legal immigrant.

Fifth, we are not “scapegoating” illegal immigrants, we are enforcing our laws. If they don’t like America’s laws, they can go home.