Immigration Reform Is Fair

Congressman Elton Gallegly has come under criticism for proposing changes that would reform immigration laws, specifically targeting women who come to the United States to give birth to children and then collect welfare.

As a single woman of child-bearing age who is lucky enough to have a full-time job right now, I pay through the nose for health insurance. Add to that the amount taken out of my pay to cover Social Security, federal income tax and assorted welfare costs, and it is a wonder I have enough left over to buy food.

I do not begrudge any person who wishes to make their life or the lives of their children a better one by coming to this country. I welcome all immigrants who enter this country legally with open arms.

However, I am a legal citizen who works hard to make it on my own without government aid. I don’t think it is fair to make me and thousands of other women like me shoulder the burden of paying for some other woman who comes here illegally, gives birth to a child, then collects the welfare benefits that I work hard to pay for.

And then face the awful truth that at 27 years of age I can’t have a child of my own . . . because I can’t afford it.

I hope Gallegly is successful so that motherhood can be enjoyed by all women.

SAMANTHA ALLEN-SYDNEY

Los Angeles