LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A broken immigration system serves up little compassion

Posted

To the Editor:

Brian Gardner of Jamestown makes a valid point in his February 16 “Letter to the Editor” when he writes about “compassion” for immigrants and refugees and that ‘the dialogue about immigration must differentiate between legal and illegal immigration.”

Yes, we are a nation of immigrants. Once upon time, my grandparents, along with thousands of others, came to America as immigrants. They came here legally.

It is unfortunate that illegal immigration has been condoned for years in the United States. Families have settled, are working, being schooled, getting health care, and generally enjoying a life of freedom. As Catholics and human beings, we desire to be loving and compassionate. We see the plights of our fellow men, women and children nightly on the news. Much of what we see is horrifying. No one deserves this.

This said, what has separated America from virtually every other nation in history is the concept of our country being “a nation of laws, not men.” No one is, or can be allowed to be, above the law. When the system is broken like it is now, it works for no one, legal citizen or immigrants who desire a better life free from fear.

A broken system serves up little compassion. Because of laxity or lack of law over many years on the part of government, people get hurt.

Katherine Shine, Middletown