Readers React: What could, or should, be done about the border crisis

To the editor: The great majority of U.S. citizens work hard and worry about keeping jobs, paying bills and taxes, and caring for their families. And we gladly welcome millions of immigrants to our country. (“Welcome committees: Bell plans to shelter newcomers,” July 12, and “A Texas community comes together to assist flood of immigrants at a border relief center,” July 12)

In this current crisis, we see undocumented immigrants being flown in jet aircraft, driven in expensive buses, being fed and sheltered and given legal aid — all at no cost to them but at enormous cost to the people of the U.S. Let’s never forget there are many poor and homeless U.S. citizens who could use those dollars.

Now the White House is asking for billions of dollars more to manage the current border crisis. Is it any wonder so many U.S. citizens feel they are being taken advantage of?

Each and every undocumented immigrant — regardless of nationality, gender or age — should be assessed for the cost of his or her care while here. And undocumented immigrants should not be given legal residency or citizenship until they have reimbursed the people of the United States.

I believe this approach is fair; it could also lead to much less anger around the issue. And it would be an incentive for future immigrants to get properly documented before entering the United States.

Dan Huntington, Sherman Oaks

To the editor: What a contrast: the hundreds of volunteers helping the refugee children at a center in McAllen, Texas, and the very questionable reception of the buses loaded with children and parents in Murrieta.

Joanne H. Gram, Altadena

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To the editor: One way to get Congress and President Obama to act on an immigration bill might be to bus 100,000 illegal immigrants, including the newly arrived children, to Washington and set them up in tents on the steps of Congress as well as at the perimeter of the White House.

Keep them there, in tents and with portable toilets, until our elected officials do their job.

Michael Brown, Chatsworth

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To the editor: The illegal immigration of unaccompanied minors from Central America is an issue as complicated as it is tragic.

It seems inhumane to send these innocent and desperate kids back to the life-threatening environments from which they escaped, and yet unfair to burden U.S. taxpayers to fund a solution.

Perhaps the United States can demand compensation from these countries, adequate to provide compassionate care to these refugees. If the countries find this distasteful, then let them fix their own problems.

Michael Nelson, Porter Ranch

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To the editor: Wow. A Texas community has welcomed the Central American immigrants with open arms, hearts and pantries. Contrast this with the hateful reaction to the immigrants from our Southland neighbors.

For once, I am ashamed to be a Californian and I look with admiration upon Texans.

Bob Lentz, Sylmar