Immigration and U.S. jobs
Immigrants are a significant portion of our population. They are not the cause of economic and social problems. Insinuating this is ridiculous. Any problem that we face is one we’ve all exacerbated. Our problems cannot be solved if not addressed properly, and having failed economic policies, corporate greed and divisive politics impedes our progress.
Making immigrants guilty creates another division in society, and history has taught that racism is not useful. Policies in our legislation having no humane consideration for immigrants are not good public policy. Racist bills don’t address the issue. We need comprehensive immigration reform to provide a path to citizenship for immigrants, so all workers can defend their labor rights, bring up wages, improve work conditions, and solve economic issues.
How can we deny our world of opportunity to others?
Jackie M. Yllescas, Lakewood
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Amid all the debate and discussions about open borders and undocumented workers, no one has mentioned that the government of Mexico is to blame for the exodus of its people to the U.S.
Mexico is rich in natural resources, yet most of its people continue to live in poverty. They come to the U.S., desperate for a better future, at great risk to their lives as they walk across miles of desert in the blazing sun. Even menial jobs in the U.S. are preferable to unbearable living conditions in their home country.
The current president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, like his many predecessors, does nothing to improve economic conditions in his nation, to provide educational opportunities and well-paying jobs for the populace. Why? Because it is to Mexico’s advantage to export its people in exchange for the money they send back into the country.That is why Fox does nothing more than ask for humane treatment of the economic refugees his country creates.
Until the Mexican and other governments improve their economies by eliminating corruption, educating the people and creating non-exploitive jobs, immigration will continue to be a major issue in the United States.
Gerald Archuleta, Denver
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It’s clear from recent street demonstrations that illegal immigrants have little respect for our borders. However, it is naïve to think these are all “law-abiding” visitors. After all, illegal immigration enables criminals to escape justice in their home country. Corruption, bribery and black markets are the norm in many source countries, and one must question the character of anyone who starts out by breaking the law in our country. People just don’t magically transform into law-abiding American citizens overnight. The increase in gangs and organized crime within these communities provides ample evidence of this.
Obviously, any American can work just as hard as a Mexican or a Hindu – we have plenty of low-skilled workers in America. Given a choice, our citizens would welcome 300,000 doctors, nurses and engineers, not 20 million unskilled workers. We must close our borders immediately, provide a reasonable amnesty (again), and then pursue selective, minimal immigration numbers which only match our population shortfall. It should remain a privilege, not a right, to live in the USA.
Kevin Obenchain, Broomfield
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Illegal immigration fanatics are planning protests in Mexico on May 1, urging Mexicans to buy “nothing gringo,” since our country has the audacity to contemplate legislation to stop the flood of illegal immigrants, as they flagrantly violate our immigration laws, jeopardize our national security, and place a burden on U.S. taxpayers to subsidize their illicit presence in our country.
If they want to boycott anything “gringo” so bad, why don’t they start by not entering this “gringo” country illegally, which would have prevented this unneeded, unwanted and unsustainable mass invasion of illegal immigrants into the U.S. in the first place?
Greg Horak, Aurora
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The reason the United States has so many illegal immigrants is because our economy demands it. We push for the lowest-cost providers for all our goods and services. Wal-Mart, Costco, Southwest Airlines and many other low-cost providers exist because consumers want low prices.
If there were no jobs for the illegal immigrants, they would not be flooding our country. The demand for illegal immigrants is cheap labor. Illegals have something we want. So a business can be a “low cost” provider.
Do you agree? Do you believe immigrants are hurting the economy? Then you have to pay. You have to pay more for your lettuce. More for your vegetables. More for your housing, more for your vacations, more for most everything.
This is the true cost of your belief. Low costs and illegal immigrants go hand in hand.
You must be willing to pay more to stop illegal immigrants. This is how the free market works.
Michael Enright, Golden
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Re: “All Latinos feel hostility from dispute,” April 16 Cindy Rodriguez column.
Cindy Rodriguez continues to scream about bigotry coming from radio talk show hosts and conservative newspaper columnist on the subject of illegal aliens. She says illegal immigrants are being portrayed on TV tabloid shows in a negative light, thereby creating hostility toward all Latinos. Well, perhaps if all people spoke English in public, then there would be less interest in their nationality.
I view Rodriguez a bigot for her animosity toward U.S. citizens who are concerned enough about our country to speak out about the 12 million illegal aliens already here and the thousands more who are crossing our borders each day. What part of illegal do you not understand, Cindy?
Doloris Dunn, Aurora
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I would like to thank and commend your columnist Cindy Rodríguez. Her informative columns are bringing us what I believe to be a momentous plight of the immigrant community, in particular the undocumented workers in our society in these political nervous times. I perceive her message as consistently having compelling facts, yet being reserved in personal passions. Recognition is warranted for her courage in taking up the arduous task of going up against those who prefer to use the language of racism and intolerance instead of civil dialogue through new common ground. Her balance helps us make better-informed decisions.
Eduardo Mata, Denver
