An uninformed, bleeding heart:
Letters to the Editor - Christain Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0816/p08s ... html?s=hns

Enforce a realistic immigration policy

While I respect the concern expressed in the Aug. 14 editorial, "A worthy check on illegal workers," for the enforcement of laws in place regarding illegal immigration, I find the view a bit out of touch with reality.

The reality is we have illegal immigrants who are as much a part of our communities as those of us with legal status. We have essentially ignored enforcement of laws in place for decades, which signaled a tacit approval of the practice. As a result, we have borne both the costs of that course of action (in the provision of social services and other benefits) and the benefits of an increase in our labor force.

While many jobs taken by illegal immigrants are entry-level jobs that pay minimum wage, why should those willing to take the job be penalized? Overall, the benefits of the illegal immigrants have more than likely outweighed the cost in terms of the added growth in our economy that they have helped create. I think the US as a country has lost something along the way.

Many people have become small and mean as our power has grown. They have forgotten that most of their families arrived here just a few generations ago.

Charles Merritt
Chapel Hill, N.C.