Immigration Divides the Nation

(2 of 4)

If I had an opportunity to feed my child three meals a day instead of one, to provide a clean and safe home rather than an uninhabitable dwelling without running water and to offer the chance for a good education, I would do whatever was in my power to make that happen. How can we judge others for doing the same, and how can we not judge ourselves for making that a crime? The U.S. has been making many, many mistakes lately, both domestically and globally. Let's not miss a good opportunity to do what is right for humankind rather than for political interests.

JENNIFER LOVING Sunnyvale, Calif.

What makes our Congressional leaders believe that people who have already proved themselves capable of evading the law will now raise their hand to pay a fine and go back to their home country for a period of time or register for a guest-worker visa? It is simply naive.

MARNIE COOKE Noblesville, Ind.

What a sad disservice the protesters did to their cause by waving the Mexican flag at the recent rallies. Don't they understand that you can't muscle your way into a new land and then claim allegiance to another? Immigrants should assimilate and demonstrate reverence for this country, not parade blatant disrespect and arrogance. Americans understand the dream and have shown time and again that we support immigrants who come for the opportunity of a life with dignity and possibility.

AURORA EKLUND Los Angeles

It's silly to discuss deporting millions of illegal immigrants as if that were really an option. Even if the U.S. attempted such a mass deportation, the result would be civil war or at least one hell of an insurgency. Illegals are here and more are coming, so get used to it.

STERLING GREENWOOD Aspen, Colo.

America must deal justly with 11 million illegal immigrants today or deal helplessly with millions more tomorrow.

JIMMY REED Oxford, Miss.

My father is part of the first American-born generation in our family, and I am proud of my immigrant grandparents. Most Americans have immigrant ancestors, so why are we preventing future Mexican-American children from being able to do the same? Illegal immigrants are obviously here wrongly, but they should, to some extent, be able to live and work here. We Americans used to be proud of opening our doors to immigrants seeking freedom and opportunity. When did that change?

AMANDA MCLOUGHLIN Merrick, N.Y.

What's Next for Israel?