Change immigration laws first

To the editor:

(re: “Shutdown is senseless,” Jan. 17)

Let me address certain statements you made in your Jan. 17 editorial.

You stated, “Illegal immigration is a problem in this country, but it’s primarily based on the roadblocks our government places in allowing people to come into this country legally. It’s so cumbersome that it’s just not practical, and people who choose to make America home will find any way they can to not only get here, but become productive members of society.”

The citizens of the United States of America, through their elected federal representatives, make the laws of this country, including immigration laws. All these laws (which was supposed to benefit the citizens of this country) are subject to change — if the votes are there to change them.

If aliens who want to come into this country find these laws “cumbersome,” that’s tough! Where the hell do these foreigners get the right to demand immediate entry into this country as if it is their God-given right? And where do these so-called “refugees” get the gall to refuse Mexico’s offer of asylum and instead insist on coming to the United States?

During the first two years of the Obama presidency, the supposedly compassionate Democratic Party, which is now gung-ho for “open borders” and the entry of illegal aliens, controlled both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. They had the power to change the immigration laws, but they didn’t. Now the radical leftist slime are pointing to the Republicans as having no compassion.

These Democratic politicians are beneath contempt.

Perhaps local congressman Eliot Engel would like to explain why he and his colleagues sat on their behinds, twiddled their thumbs, and did nothing when they had the chance?

As regards to the illegals becoming “productive members of society,” what has that got to do with anything? There are literally millions of people (including women and children) in countries all over the world who have been waiting patiently for many years to enter this country legally. They, too, want to come to this country “for a better life” and become “productive members of society,” but they are following our laws and doing it the right way — legally.

How about first considering them? To hell with the lawbreakers!

In a separate paragraph, you stated that “a wall would do little to curb illegal immigration” because 44 percent of the people here illegally are here on expired visas. That may be true, but it certainly would deter many of the 56 percent who sneak into this country — a fact you conveniently ignored.

What is really needed in this country to seriously curb illegal immigration is a major change in our laws, and that will require the cooperation of both Republicans and Democrats. Currently, our laws (instead of deterring illegal entry) reward illegal entry, which I believe everyone in his or her right mind would agree is an absolutely insane situation.

People should not be able to benefit from breaking our laws. Therefore, I submit that people in this country illegally should not have any of the rights that the legal residents of this country have, including due process. If this requires changing our laws or amending the Constitution, so be it.

It is absolutely ridiculous that people who are here illegally can take advantage of our laws. If the current laws aren’t doing the job — and they certainly aren’t — we should change them. Otherwise, we are simply just a bunch of schmucks beating our heads against the wall.

Alvin Gordon