What Kind of Immigrants Do We Want?
April 17, 2008; Page A17


Libidiot, moron, anarchist, bleeding heart alert:

With America's attention focused on relief for homeowners facing foreclosure, the case of Andrezj Derezinski, ordered to leave the U.S., vividly reminds readers that illegal immigrants are another vulnerable group in America ("Return Flight: Visa Violators Swept Up In Widening Dragnet," page one, April 10). They are also arguably more deserving of relief, can be easily assisted and are an asset to the country.

Granting legal residency to the millions of illegal immigrants requires no multibillion-dollar government bailout. It involves making the decision to allow people to pursue their dreams without government interference. Furthermore, legalizing these individuals and moving toward a policy of unrestricted immigration would benefit our country by providing an energetic population of largely young residents who would fully contribute to society without the fear of deportation.

The late economist Milton Friedman recommended unlimited immigration, as long as newcomer access to government benefits was limited for several years. This overhaul of immigration laws would also allow local and federal law-enforcement agents to focus on apprehending terrorists and criminals rather than hardworking families like the Derezinskis, and reverse the growing intrusion of law enforcement into people's lives as part of the effort to locate illegal immigrants.

Finally, those deemed illegal immigrants have no less right to be in this country than native-born Americans. As R. George Wright of Indiana University has argued, the only difference between these two groups is that native-born Americans have had the "undeserved good fortune to have been born in the United States."

Joel Newman
Vancouver, Wash.