Infuriating
Regarding "Illegal in the light of day" (Page A1, Saturday), your picture on the front page did not elicit sympathy, only nausea.
Law-abiding Americans have no sympathy for criminals. Furthermore, the claim by liberals that education is a basic human right is incorrect. No American has the right to be given money that has been forcibly extorted from other Americans, but most of us will tolerate it to a point.
But having our money forcibly taken from us to be given to trespassing foreigners is infuriating to say the least.
Why don't liberals give their money to these causes and issues they feel so strongly about? They care enough to give my money, but not quite enough to give their own.
Houston Chronicle:
Kids not to blame
We should be humbled in the face of the courage shown by each undocumented student who recently publicly testified about his situation.
I am as strongly against illegal aliens as anyone else. It is imperative that we control our own borders if we are to survive as a nation. But children are not responsible for the crimes committed by their parents; nor do they have much choice except to go where their parents take them.
It is unconscionable for us to punish children for the sins of their parents, yet it seems that is precisely what we are doing.
Sending them back to the land of their parents is committing as grave a wrong as their parents did when they first violated the law in coming and staying here.
There is a simple solution: If these students have graduated high school and have never committed a crime, give them permission to serve in the armed forces. If one has physical barriers, then find some other way for him to serve this nation. After four years of honorable service, grant them citizenship. They will have paid a price to be Americans which most of their citizenship-holding peers absolutely refuse, even during this time of war. They will have earned their place here, and I for one would be happy to welcome them.
The law is the law
Regarding "Some DREAM students face nightmare scenarios" (Page B9, April 6), while I do have sympathy, my question is why have they done nothing about it themselves?
If they have been here for years, why haven't they or their parents taken the steps to become American citizens? We have fair immigration laws, and there are steps that can be taken. Yet their parents made a conscious decision to break the law when they came to this country and then do nothing, hoping that somewhere along the way they will get the free pass.
The law is the law and they are illegal immigrants. Blame their parents, but the reality is, they have imposed on my rights as an American citizen and taxpayer in having to pay for their education and other benefits they may be availing themselves of.
I am a law-abiding American citizen and taxpayer. Why am I continually asked to help the noncitizens in this country? We have laws. If not, then why do I bother to follow them? I suspect that if I didn't or refused to pay taxes, then I would be thrown in jail. I would be un-American. There may be a need for immigration reform, but until changes are made, the law must be followed.
Beating system
These college students use the term illegal (unlawful) as a badge of honor.
They have beaten the system and are really not worried because they know that they will not be deported.
Have they, as educated people, tried to become American citizens? Have their parents tried, or are they trying, to become American citizens?
Becoming an American citizen is an honor; it's not easy, but it can be done.
