Readers React: Some compassion for the moms and kids crossing our border

To the editor: Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision being a citizen of a country that would turn its back on women and children regardless of where they come from, what skin color, what religion, what political association or any other reason for being here. (“U.S. sends first planeload of moms, children back to Honduras,” July 14)

They are here, and we as Americans can well afford to provide the help they need.

The billions spent to sustain wars —and the comparatively little this country spends on solving humanitarian problems — is stupid and immoral.

Allen F. Dziuk, Carlsbad

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To the editor: The Central Americans arriving at the U.S. border are fleeing horrific violence in their countries. The governments of these countries cannot protect them. So let’s use the right terminology — these people are “refugees,” not “illegals” or “migrants.” They are turning themselves in to Border Patrol agents.

I fear we are moving too quickly without consideration of why these people are fleeing in such great numbers.

We should not blatantly put these people on planes and return them to possible harm. We should grant them due process for claims of asylum. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants. We have a legacy to uphold.

Alba Farfaglia, San Clemente

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