Anti-immigration group is not part of mainstream

The Rev. David L. Ostendorf, Executive Director, Center for New Community - Chicago

I was disappointed to see an opinion piece by the president of an anti-immigrant group with ties to white nationalism in USA TODAY on Thursday ("Don't let them buy policies," Opposing view, Health care debate).

In the piece, Dan Stein, the president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), argues against providing undocumented immigrants with the opportunity to purchase health insurance.

FAIR claims to represent the mainstream of the American anti-immigrant movement, but it is actually a carefully crafted entity whose mission is to achieve the goal of zero immigration to the U.S. by blaming immigrants for economic, population and environmental problems. FAIR is part of a network of organizations founded, funded, or supported by John Tanton. Tanton is connected to white supremacist organizations. FAIR is not a trusted source of information for mainstream readers.


Who will bear burden?
Jim Stanker - Merriam, Kan.

Last month, the Congressional Budget Office released its report on the House Democrats' health reform package and indicated that it would cost approximately $871 billion over 10 years.

By some estimates, illegal immigrants could make up about one-third of the uninsured in this country

Earlier this year, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called President Obama a liar when the president said illegal immigrants would not be covered by the proposed insurance reform.

However, without checks to make sure that those receiving benefits are U.S. citizens, no doubt some illegal immigrants would be included. What are the chances that working middle-class Americans would have to carry the burden? And, if that happened, would Wilson end up being right?


National security issue
Terry Friedlander - Ketchum, Idaho

Say what you want about the resignation of news host Lou Dobbs from CNN, but be aware that, for years, he has been an advocate for keeping our government honest and a voice for transparency.

His outspoken opinion that anyone who resides in the USA needs to be here legally makes perfect sense. His basic position has been, and rightfully so, who are the 12 million people who are illegal immigrants? Where are they? What are they doing inside the U.S? Who is employing them? Those were and still are legitimate questions, especially since 9/11, that are not being answered and not being discussed. The answers remain a possible breach of security for American citizens.

(Health care debate: Congress is considering whether illegal immigrants should be able to purchase policies on insurance exchanges./Kevin P. Casey for USA TODAY.)

Posted at 12:10 AM/ET, November 18, 2009 in Immigration - Letters, Letter to the editor

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