Migrant Deaths and Immigration Laws

Regardless of whose figures you use, border deaths are soaring (letter, Feb. 11). According to the Mexican government’s count, almost 500 migrants died last year while trying to enter the U.S. illegally. For its part, the Border Patrol reported a 60% jump in border deaths during fiscal year 2000, as compared to the year before. How high must the count go before we rethink a strategy of deliberately putting migrants in mortal harm’s way?

All that Gatekeeper and its counterparts in Arizona and Texas have accomplished since they were launched six years ago is to move the undocumented foot traffic out of the urban areas and--not coincidentally--out of the public eye. In the process, these operations have made smugglers indispensable.

No question, Mexico should crack down on smugglers. But let’s not kid ourselves. That will not stop the deaths. Smuggling people becomes too lucrative a business. In any event, perhaps when we crack down on employers who use undocumented labor, we will have some moral authority to challenge Mexico to go after smugglers more aggressively. Meanwhile, a migrant a day dies on our southwest border.

CLAUDIA E. SMITH

Border Project Director

California Rural Legal Assistance

Foundation, Oceanside

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My grandparents entered our country illegally and were soon detected and deported. They subsequently abided by the rules and laws regarding foreign immigration and became citizens. Those laws are still in place and yet there are literally thousands who cross our southern borders annually and our government is less than aggressive in preventive measures, apparently in fear of not being politically correct. Yes, I too feel for those seeking a better life, but assimilation becomes reality subject to controls.

The local government policies which prevent police officers from reporting illegal entrants to immigration authorities are ludicrous. Even more disturbing is the civil liberties organizations protesting that police officers by reporting the illegal transgressions are violating the civil rights of the transgressors (Feb. 12). Immigration laws, like our Constitution, were created with purpose; let us not be squeamish in their application.

RICHARD W. GREEN

Thousand Oaks