Immigration: A Complex Issue with Many Facets and No Simple Solution

27 May 2006

I am proud of the way you attempt to see all sides of this extremely complicated issue. There are so many places we can get tripped up over other details. Immigration is a complex issue with many facets and no simple solution.

I agree with building a border fence, hiring more border patrol, and fining employers that insist upon hiring illegals. I also support fining the illegals, granting them a temporary work visa and placing them on a path toward citizenship if they so desire, as long as they are not criminals (other than the original violation) or a security risk. I also have no problem with them being required to pay all back taxes, however, they should have no access to Social Security accrued during the time they were illegal.

I see a difference between those who are truly undocumented and those who used fraudulent documents. The difference is that those who used fraudulent documents have committed the predicate felony to get deport and so they should be deported.

I also see how our economy would be harmed by attempting a mass departation. Sevice industries rely heavily on these workers and some smaller employers would be closed down. Immigration is a complex issue with many facets and no simple solution.

I completely agree that immigrants should have to learn English. I am very tired of looking at want ads and seeing bilingual required or preferred. Preferred actually means required. I speak only English and cannot find a job as easily as an only Spanish speaker could.

Please keep working to find a fair and acceptable solution to the illegal immigration problem, that could have been avoided at the level find it now if the law had been enforced in the first place. Ways to beable to enforce the law include putting more border patrol agents on the border, usinf UAVs to create an electronic "fence," and funding the building of more detenition centers. It is time to fully fund border security and immigration enforcement. It is also time to remind the executive branch that it is theri job to enforce the laws that are on the books.

Thank you.