The two-way street of migration

Re “Build bridges, not fences,” Opinion, Nov. 30

Robert Pastor is right that the U.S. could stop illegal immigrants by enforcing the laws against hiring them and issuing a national identification card. But he’s wrong to say this won’t happen. As the U.S. population passes 300 million people, citizens have woken up to the huge increase in immigration that keeps the United States growing even after Americans reduced their family size. This year’s election sent Washington a signal: Voters won’t rest as long as immigration forces Americans to grow despite themselves.

KENNETH PASTERNACK

Santa Barbara

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Pastor writes that the United States “is unlikely to give any aid to Mexico unless Washington is convinced that the funds will be well spent.” You mean like that $1 trillion we’re throwing at Iraq? Geez, for that sum, instead of building a fence, we could micro-bank every Mexican farmer and fund enough Small Business Administration loans to set up the fence-climbers with their own Dunkin’ Donuts shops in Mexico. Last but not least: If the previous $25 billion we did send down there is any guide, Mexico will actually pay the money back ahead of schedule. How many countries have done that?

TIM CLARK

Los Angeles