Confusing Immigration With the War on Terror

Re “Teen Is Snared in Post- 9/11 Security Net,” Feb. 9: The poignant story of Alfredo Salas is all too common in the United States, particularly in California today. Indeed, Salas’ circumstances are an indictment of the poorly crafted and enforced U.S. immigration laws, but it does not stand to reason that the most equitable mechanism for addressing the young man’s situation is deportation. Salas knows no home other than the U.S., and finds himself caught in a quandary whose origins he had little to do with. Unfortunately, the tragic events of 9/11 have inextricably linked terrorism to immigration policy in the court of public opinion, engendering a draconian stance in regard to our nation’s immigration laws.

The issues of immigration policy and terrorism are not one and the same. Each should be given the attention it deserves. Policymakers are implored to take a step back in this matter and deal with our immigration laws in a sensible fashion, without succumbing to the sentiment that confuses poor government intelligence with lax immigration policy.

Efrain Miron

Los Angeles

Salas was able to get away with being in this country illegally for 13 years, slipping through the cracks of a lax immigration department and reaping the benefit of an American education and all that goes with it. He made the mistake of going back to Mexico and got caught trying to return. Too bad! He was here illegally in the first place.

Now he will have to stay in his homeland until he can sneak back into the U.S. and live happily ever after with the 8 million to 10 million other illegals. Of course, if he stays in Mexico he could qualify for one of the thousands of jobs that have gone south of the border and help make his country a better place in which to live.

Mike Belson

Studio City