Attrition through enforcement

Dear Editor:The recent crimes in Basalt that fuel racial tension in the community only emphasize the need to enforce current immigration laws instead of trying to pass “comprehensive immigration reform.” Attrition through enforcement would solve many issues.Tom Ziemann from Catholic Charities states a “very vocal minority” has stalled the amnesty bill (“Discussion about racial strife draws little debate,” July 3). What rock does he live under? The majority of Americans polled want current immigration laws enforced. The reason most senators gave for not approving the bill was the lack of enforcement. Supporters of the bill don’t mention that the bill would: Grant legal status to illegals after 24 hours without complete background checks; Grant amnesty to illegal alien gang members; Excuse illegals from paying back taxes, yet would allow them to earn tax credits; Use American tax dollars to pay the illegals’ immigration attorneys’ fees; Create “temporary” Z visas that can be renewed indefinitely, meaning “temporary workers” would actually be permanent workers and residents; Initiate the “Dream Act” granting in state college tuition to illegals – while American students pay full rate; Pay the Mexican government money to provide incentives to keep the Mexican people in Mexico; Cut the construction of the approved 800-mile border fence to 200 miles; Decrease the approved number of 20,000 border patrol agents to 18,000; and Allow 12 to 20 million illegals to cut in line ahead of those immigrants who have applied and are trying to enter America legally. And the list goes on and on.”Ziemann and Saenz both spoke of a need for Latinos and Anglos to meet face-to-face to discuss cultural differences, and the problems that arise from those differences.” Illegals want the benefits of life in America but refuse to assimilate. The language barrier is a perfect example. “Juan” states he has lived in Basalt for a decade – and he still can’t speak English and had to speak through a translator.Illegals would have us believe they are the victims of America’s immigration laws. They label Americans who support enforcement as racist. The real issue is their illegal status and the arrogant belief that the laws governing American citizens don’t apply to them. The real “victims” are the citizens who have experienced identity theft and other crimes by illegals, and the tax payers forced to support illegals and their families. How much is it costing in increased property taxes to educate Juan’s and other illegals’ children? The average low-skilled illegal family receives $18,000 per year in government handouts – much more than they pay in. Our poorest American citizen would be happy to see that sum in a year.Scott SedeiLongmont