Illegal is illegal, no matter what
last updated: November 01, 2007 02:49:27 AM

Regarding Dick Hagerty's column "You'd be surprised to find out who was, or is, 'illegal' " (Oct. 25, Page B-7): Although I applaud the success of his once-illegal wife and four adopted immigrant children, I take offense to his use of the word "illegal." He suggests that all illegal immigrants are fine as long as they are hardworking, upstanding, contributing members of society.

This is the common argument of pro- immigrant supporters. However, in this country, a crime is a crime, no matter how small, outdated, or supported by others. A persons' actions post-crime do not justify the original crime.

An escaped convict still goes back to prison regardless of how many law-abiding years he or she lives on the run. In this country a fundamental part of being a U.S. citizen is the ideology that it is your duty to follow the laws that govern everyone. An illegal immigrant is technically a criminal, regardless of their reasons, moral or ethical values and contributions to our society. If we did not have immigration policies in effect, then our country would be inundated with the world's impoverished. That is the only reason I am emphatically against illegal immigration. The effects can already be felt in our housing market, health care, education and social services. Add another 50 million illegals, and our state would collapse.

JOHNATHAN WILLIAMS
Modesto
http://www.modbee.com/opinion/letters/story/108791.html