U.S. Policy on Immigration

Re “Plan for National Guard at Border Gains Support,” Oct. 19:

Illegal immigration policy has become a hot issue for making news in these hard economic times. Patrolling the border (U.S.-Mexico) is only an excuse by politicians to gain a few “brownie points.” Get real. Making the illegal immigrant a scape-goat is not the solution, especially in the Southwest. The real source of the issue is U.S.-Mexican relations or the lack of it. Real policy should be worked out with Mexican officials who share border responsibility. Keeping the border under close control does not mean a solution to the historical problem of illegal immigration. It will only increase the possibility of making U.S.-Mexican relations more sour.

Sen. Barbara Boxer and other Congress members should be pushing for NAFTA and how best to utilize this opportunity to create American jobs at home and abroad. Let’s face it, the biggest winners of NAFTA will be American companies that have the capital to invest in Mexico’s recovering economy.

CARMELO ZAMORA, Los Angeles

Your article (Oct. 25) on the border fence seems to stress that Mexicans cannot differentiate between legal and illegal immigration, except at their border with Guatemala where Mexican soldiers protect their sovereignty with machine guns.

Let’s stop this hypocrisy and realize that Mexico needs to send workers here to support its economy and that drugs represent one of Mexico’s major exports! Most Americans do not resent legal Mexican immigration. We just cannot afford the cost of the large number of illegal aliens who have impacted our economy.

As for NAFTA as a cure for the flow of illegal aliens, it hasn’t happened in the 15 years of the maquiladora program and it won’t happen as long as the Mexican government keeps wages low to attract foreign investment. NAFTA is unfair to labor on both sides of the border. Let’s develop a comprehensive plan that will not cause such drastic inequities.

BYRON SLATER, San Diego

Cardinal Mahony was cited in an Oct. 9 report as blasting political leaders for “ . . . exploiting racism and prejudice.” One might expect greater understanding from a religious leader. The remarks suggest a lack of awareness that a person may be concerned over the means by which aliens enter this country and the amount of immigration without being prejudiced. The number of newcomers is an issue that also relates to concern for the living conditions of recent immigrants and refugees as well as the poor unskilled in this country, who may be elbowed aside by new immigrants willing to work for less in worse conditions. Whether newcomers enter legally or illegally is important to whether they are likely to be easily exploited by unscrupulous employers.

It is not racist to be concerned about the future of Afro-Americans, whose recourse to equal employment opportunity programs is being diminished by the rapid growth in other minorities. It is not narrow-minded to worry about population pressures and the impact of population size on our present day environment and the heritage we will leave future generations.

JOHN L. MARTIN, Research Director, Center for Immigration Studies, Washington

Normally I don’t agree with the view of the Catholic Church in general, or Cardinal Mahony in particular, but the cardinal’s recent remarks about immigrants are an exception. We need more public figures speaking out in a reasonable and compassionate way, and less of the intolerance and rancor that we have been hearing lately.

California has many problems today, but let’s try to ensure that bigotry and hatred are not two of them.

WILLIAM HOMANN, San Marcos

Cardinal Mahony is absolutely correct in calling for a change in attitude and a change in policy toward illegal immigrants. However, this change must come from the Catholic Church itself. The real issue is the church’s policy on birth control and the resulting overpopulation of Mexico. The cardinal should quit hiding behind charges of racism. He should act more responsibly by calling for a change in the church’s policy on birth control. This will cure the root of the problem, rather than attempting to shame American society into solving a problem which it cannot solve.

GARY McCLERNAN, Los Angeles

Cardinal Mahony thinks we should be Good Samaritans and welcome illegal aliens with open arms, including helping them as good Christians should. This all sounds good until you consider who has to pay for all of it.

I do not want my hard-earned tax dollars to pay for illegal aliens. Since Mahony wants illegal aliens in this country, the Catholic Church should be held responsible for paying for their costs. Then see how enthusiastic Mahony will be about having illegal aliens in our country.

KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN, Huntington Beach