Growing Population Threatens Quality of Life

Re “Bush Seeks to Tighten Immigration,” Oct. 30: Finally, our immigration policy is being reconsidered, even if it is a bit late. The events of Sept. 11 resulted in a raised national awareness of the dangers of unchecked immigration, and the federal government is now responding to those dangers. This is only one side of the immigration coin, though. The other side is the degradation of our quality of life. This article is nicely complemented by “As Inland Empire Grows, Freeway Commute Slows” (Oct. 30).

The population explosion in the Inland Empire has increased the amount of time spent in traffic for Riverside County and San Bernardino County drivers by 190% in the last five years. In the last decade, these counties saw a 25% population increase, and the population is expected to grow another 74% by 2025. Our freeways are all operating at capacity, our schools are crowded, our once-scenic countryside is now covered in tract homes or worse, and housing prices are out of the reach of many middle-class families. This is the other side of the immigration coin.

Matthew P. Mackenzie

Arcadia

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Kudos to President Bush for finally focusing on our miserable visa issuance system and on our floundering border protection procedures. We’ve no choice but to correct these failed programs if our way of life is to survive. No foreigner should ever again be allowed into this country without a comprehensive background check; and anyone found to be here illegally should immediately be deported.

Regarding guest worker status for illegal immigrants--maybe. It all starts with a thorough analysis of how many workers are needed and what kinds of skills and other qualifications they should bring with them. The program must match specific jobs with specific people who are granted entry for specific and limited periods of time. There must be equally specific conditions for economic downturns, as with our current recession. And before that happens, there must be verifiable proof of the unavailability of American labor to perform these jobs. It’s a myth that Americans won’t do hard labor.

Let’s never again get sucker-punched into believing we can drop our guard on these matters. Comprehensive background checks for tourists, students, temporary employment, guest workers and prospective citizens are essential. So is a clear idea of reasons for allowing such individuals into our country.

Michael Scott

Glendora