In the April 10 edition of USA Today, the paper published a letter from me concerning a column by in-house columnist Raul Reyes. The subject: Illegal immigration, of course!

The letter:

Influx hurts the poorest

In his commentary about Cesar Chavez, Raul Reyes laments that gains achieved by Chavez on behalf of migrant farm workers have all but evaporated ("Chavez's hard-fought gains are eroding <http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-03-30-chavez-edit_x.htm>," The Forum, March 31).

Reyes neglects to point out, however, what I believe is the primary reason for this reversal of fortunes: The massive flow of illegal aliens into the USA from Mexico.

With anywhere from 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants currently here, and with many willing to work for below minimum wages, the pay scale and standard of living for those at the bottom of the food chain are significantly depressed.

For most of his life, Chavez acknowledged the damaging impact of illegal aliens and spoke openly against these unlawful invasions.

Responsible U.S. citizens in the Hispanic community should rally for greater security of American borders and stricter enforcement of immigration laws, rather than encourage more out-of-control immigration, which harms homeland security and the economic well-being of all Americans here legally.

Hispanics might be surprised at the support they would receive by taking a responsible position on illegal immigration and by waving the U.S. — rather than the Mexican — flag.

John W. Lillpop
San Jose, Calif.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/ed ... tion_x.htm