Illegal Immigrants

Being a good Samaritan doesn’t qualify Maura Gomez to live in the United States or excuse her from obeying its laws (“Illegal Immigrant Who Aided Man Faces Deportation,” May 7). By entering the United States illegally, the very first thing she did was break the law. The U.S. has a proud tradition of being a lifeboat for the poor and dispossessed but if the lifeboat becomes overloaded, it will sink. Strict enforcement of our immigration laws will prevent that from happening.

BARBARA SCHRATWIESER

Studio City

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It’s truly remarkable that Gomez can consider interfering with the duty of two federal INS agents “doing the right thing,” but didn’t see anything wrong with illegally entering the U.S. seven years ago. As for her contention that now the lives of her children are being “ruined” because of this incident, I would have to contend that Gomez has already taken care of that by violating federal law.

KYLE ERICSON

Riverside

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Re “Group Stirs Outrage With Billboard Deploring Illegal Immigration,” May 6: Why have “several Latino leaders quickly expressed outrage” over “the illegal immigrant state” billboard? The billboard does not mention race nor nationality--it is only against illegality. As true Americans, the Latino leaders should surely be against anything illegal in this “nation of laws.”

GEORGE WOOD

Malibu

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Barbara Coe and the California Coalition for Immigration Reform have taken the debate about immigration reform to new lows. Their billboard, erected along Interstate 10, serves to further divide our community and alienate immigrant groups. Our state and nation are grappling with complicated issues in a serious, legitimate fashion. Resorting to sarcastic inflammatory rhetoric serves only to ignite emotions and generate hate.

SUE STENGEL

Western States Counsel

Anti-Defamation League

Los Angeles

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Re Raoul Lowery Contreras’ article, “Will Americans Do the Dirty Work?” Commentary, May 8:

Contreras misses the point of illegal immigration. Whether illegal immigrants take jobs from Americans or not, whether they pay taxes or not, whether they use public-supported services or not doesn’t matter. Illegal immigrants don’t belong in this country--period. All his arguments are designed to obscure this central issue.

KIP ALLEN

Palm Springs