http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.d ... S/60920005

Mt. Pocono's letter to the feds on immigration
September 20, 2006


Editor's Note: Mount Pocono borough council endorsed the below letter about immigration control in the U.S. It will be sent to various federal government officials.

Senator Bill Frist
Majority Leader
509 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Harry Reid
Minority Leader
528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Rick Santorum
511 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Arlen Specter
711 Hart Building
Washington, DC 2051

Representative J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker of the House
235 Cannon House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

Representative Paul E. Kanjorski
2188 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

Representative Peter King
436 Cannon House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515

Citizenship and Freedom in the United States of America both should be earned, not given away, nor taken cheaply. Daily both are sought by people from around the world. We would like to think that most folks legally come to these United States with good intentions; to meld into the pot and become part of the fabric of this nation, earning citizenship and enjoying the freedom and the economic advantages found here. For two centuries immigrants entering this nation have assimilated and the diversity that they brought with them has been turned into strength as our different backgrounds, experiences, races, creeds, and political philosophies have been brought to bear with a common purpose on common problems.

However we cannot afford to be naïve. We realize that daily folks also cross our borders illegally. Some do so seeking economic advantage, while others do so with the intention of doing this nation harm. We find that the issue of illegal immigration, despite its potential for divisiveness, to be one upon which we can speak with a common voice. We believe that, by not having clear and enforceable laws regarding current illegal immigrants in this country, we make a mockery of those who made the difficult and time consuming journey through the system to reach legal citizenship. And, finally, we recognize that the difficult bureaucratic backlogs in the current system actually encourage illegal immigration by discouraging legal immigration.

And thus we, the undersigned citizens, urge you our elected representatives, to keep in mind that as this issue is debated:

• The time for your action is sooner, not later.

• That your first priority is to represent the current citizens of these United States of America.

• To recognize that the nature of illegal immigration makes it difficult to quantify numbers, the effects of wages, education, social programs, security, and quality-of-life are quite real.

• To share our belief that we do not want “sealed” borders, but we do want smarter secure borders. Borders that make it easier for potential good citizens to come and share their knowledge and expertise and likewise to share in the rewards that our country offers to those willing to so do. But those borders must be able to filter out those who would do this nation harm.

• That the priority should remain on those trying to obtain citizenship legally and that those currently in the country illegally must start the process at the “back of the line.”

• That the ultimate goal for those coming to the United States of America should be citizenship, and citizenship to only the United States. We do not believe that a semi-permanent class of foreign workers who are unable to work towards citizenship is in the interest of a secure United States.


Most Respectfully Yours,


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