Agonizing over illegal immigration

Re “Migratory truths,” editorial, May 1

This editorial appears to wish a repeat of the disastrous consequences of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. After granting amnesty to the 2.7 million illegal immigrants then living in the U.S., the enforcement aspects of that act were ignored because of the lobbying of business and ethnic groups, resulting in the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants now here.

To reward people who knowingly and willingly broke our laws to come here will only provide an even greater incentive for millions more to follow. Americans must demand that any immigration reform, first and foremost, implement a strict and enforceable program of employee verification and employer sanctions. This will not only bring people “out of the shadows,” it will force employers to be accountable for all of their employees. Then, and only then, should we address any legalization process for those currently here illegally.

JIM REDHEAD

San Diego

*

Re “L.A. girds for gridlock on May Day,” May 1

I can’t stand that this is even an issue. See, this is what happened when President Reagan didn’t address this issue before it got way out of hand. What we need to do is to change the way this game is played. We need to deport as many illegal immigrants as we can, fine employers that hire them, deny them access to public entitlement programs and not extend citizenship to children born of illegal aliens. To me, this is more of a threat to our way of life than Al Qaeda.

NABIL AL-MURABIT

Rancho Park

*

Re “Wanted: indispensable, disposable workers,” Opinion, April 30

Gregory Rodriguez ends an interesting and informative article about the labor needs of U.S. farmers by criticizing the farmers for “thinking they can benefit from temporary labor without having to accommodate and integrate permanent laborers” and calling that thinking “an illusion.” What is illusory about the economic realities of running a farm? If Rodriguez thinks the average farmer can afford to install 12 or 13 families year round, housing them and paying for their health insurance for three or four weeks of work at harvest time, I would call that an illusion.

KRISTY MCTAGGART

Costa Mesa