Consequences of U.S. Border Policy

Re “This Land Is Whose Land?” Opinion, May 1: Lacking in the debate over illegal immigration is a realistic discussion of the economic consequences of the remedies proposed by those who want to see strict enforcement of immigration laws. In the recent defeat of legislation calling for legalizing the status of agricultural workers through temporary work visas, Congress was faced with the statistic that 50% to 75% of agriculture workers are in the U.S. illegally.

Are the citizens of California really anxious to see stiff federal fines imposed on this industry in our state, especially in light of the fact that there is no other labor force available to do the work? Researchers in the economics of immigration point out that employers’ demand for immigrant labor persists despite changes in the law or levels of enforcement. If industries face a hostile regulatory environment as a result of anti-immigrant politics and a lack of a ready and able workforce, what is to prevent them from moving south of the border in search of a labor pool and a more favorable and profitable business climate?

The consequences to California and the U.S. of “closing” the border and fining businesses that employ illegal workers are potentially the loss of sources of employment and tax revenues generated by business activities that depend on immigrant labor. The foes of immigration are so shrill as to drown out any reasonable talk about the price we will pay in the long term should they actually get what they want from the federal government.

Jill Kerper Mora

San Diego

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Thank you for publishing the article by Rep. Thomas G. Tancredo (R-Colo.). It looks like you have finally found a politician who advocates the enforcement of existing federal immigration laws. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if we had some California politicians who approach their sworn duties with the same vigor.

Michael Atherton

Cerritos

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Irshad Manji apparently sees no difference between legal immigration in Europe and illegal immigration in the U.S. But the problem here is her refusal to address the real issues, which are overpopulation, sprawl and environmental degradation brought on by too many immigrants, legal and otherwise. Although she concedes that the Netherlands has enough people, it seems that she thinks there is room for countless millions more in California. I happen to disagree; I think the Golden State is “full up” as well.

Randle C. Sink

Encinitas

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The inherent flaw in Manji’s commentary revolves around the idea that immigrant populations do not need to assimilate. She belies the notion herself when she writes, “In other words, too many Muslim immigrants insist on having their own language, their own family law, their own schools, their own neighborhoods -- and their own ways of dealing with those who defy Islam.”

Refusal to accept the laws of one’s adopted country -- whether family law or laws regarding extrajudicial slayings -- should not be allowed.

Assimilation entails accepting the social contract as it has been established, or working through that contract to effect change. Is it any wonder that Dutch (or German or French) people are uncomfortable with immigrant populations that refuse to respect the laws and customs of their adopted counties, preferring, instead, to establish Sharia?

Aaron Isaacs

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Re “Why So Many Jobs Have Wanderlust,” Opinion, May 1: Highly educated people doing clerical work is not progress.

Kate Savola

Seal Beach

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I have my own perspective on illegal immigrants. Many years ago, I went through all the lengthy channels in order to come to this country as a legal immigrant. Since I have been here, I have always worked and paid taxes, and I put myself through university as a dorm counselor and by working summers. When I didn’t have medical coverage, I paid my own way.

A few years ago, my English cousin wanted to move here. I again went through all the channels, as his sponsor, and even paid for legal advice, but I was informed he wasn’t eligible, due, in essence, to the fact that any job for which he was qualified could be handled by an American citizen. I cannot help resenting the illegal immigrants who slip across the border. It has nothing to do with racism.

Ann Rayner Harootyan

Van Nuys