Immigration Policy Borders on Death

Thank you for your May 31 commentary, “Funneling Immigrants to Their Deaths,” on the U.S. Border Patrol’s unconscionable policy of channeling human beings into a situation that threatens their lives.

I am less proud of my country when I find out that its government, while complaining about human rights abuses in other countries (for example, China), indirectly causes needless loss of life to citizens of Mexico. The problem of illegal immigration is not an easy one, but present policies are racist and unequal. Why isn’t the same, dangerous Border Patrol funneling happening to Canadian citizens? The U.S. should be working day and night with the Mexican government to correct this travesty.

Jay Oren

Los Angeles

I certainly agree with Niels Frenzen’s commentary that lives are needlessly being lost as illegal immigrants try to enter the U.S. But his accusation that the U.S. is causing these deaths is ludicrous. The immigrants can stay alive by staying at home. And it’s the Mexican government, not the U.S. government, that’s at fault, for not providing a society in which these poor people can earn a living wage and take care of their families. Shame on those who blame us!

Clifton E. Barnett

Los Angeles