U.S. Haven Provides Easy Out

The recent failed attempt by North Koreans seeking asylum in China, as reflected in the horror of a little girl’s face (“Tape of Failed Defection Touches a Nerve in Asia,” May 14), brings to mind the scope of the atrocities committed in this world and the will of people to escape them. The family arrested by Chinese officials last week wanted to come to the U.S. And who can blame them? This country has emerged as a haven for all the world’s meek and weak, the huddled masses yearning to be free. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see children oppressed, their right to a decent existence and their very hope destroyed at such an early age. Unfortunately, this is done every day by autocratic or fanatically religious regimes all over the world.

However, the problem with being a “safe haven” is that we allow people to escape from their problems in their native land. These problems do not just go away. The oppressors become stronger as their population of oppressed becomes weaker: Those with strong wills and, perhaps, strong voices find a way to leave and end up here.

The only way we can crush oppression throughout the world is to close our borders. This will force citizens of oppressive nations to actually rise up and make a change. People need a reason to rise up. If we give everyone in the world a haven--a way to escape their problems--we will never move forward. More important, we who are true citizens by birthright become oppressed by the burden of losing our “American” language and culture.

Jasmine Bingham

Orange

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In response to “Illegal Immigration Is All-American” (letter, May 14), in which George Kalmar extols the virtues of supporting illegals and thereby subsidizing the profits of the employers who hire them: If they are so sorely needed, why don’t they command higher wages and benefits for doing what others allegedly prefer not to do? The truth is they come in asking for a fingernail and get an arm in social services and subsidies, raising their benefits beyond the pale for those who pay the taxes to support them.

Gary Rudnick

Palm Desert

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Re “Doctors for Undocumented Kids,” May 11: Illegal aliens continue to be rewarded for invading our state. Certainly no child should be deprived of health care, but their homelands should be footing the bill for those who are getting a free ride in our country.

Susan Campbell

Los Angeles