"The recognition of a person's need to find a job leads to a possible solution to the problem: a verifiable guest-worker program."
JOHN F. CHAMBLEE
Tucson, Ariz.
THE UNCONTROLLED WAVES OF ILLEGAL immigrants passing across the U.S. border with Mexico are a danger not only to national security but also to the economic well-being of the citizens and other legal residents of this country [Sept. 20]. We in the border states seem to have less to fear from al-Qaeda than we do from the collapse of our infrastructure (schools, hospitals, roads) under the weight of illegal immigration, not to mention the effect on our work force. Thank you for avoiding all the meaningless clichs and getting to the heart of the matter: our government needs to take action immediately.
PEG MANNING
Los Angeles
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YOU PRESENTED A COMPLEX AND difficult topic in a one-sided, simplistic fashion. Throughout the article there was an anti-immigrant and inhuman tone: referring to Mexicans crossing the border as "illegals," as if they lacked a right to exist (alternative terms include undocumented people and noncitizens) and referring to "invaders" and "intruders," as if those crossing the border are coming here to take away what is ours rather than to work at jobs for which, even as TIME points out, employers want them. Coming across the border is a long, dangerous and at times deadly journey. People risk their lives in order to provide for their families and send money back home. A complete picture of border crossings would have mentioned the deaths of hundreds of people each year.
SARAH IGNATIUS
LECTURER ON IMMIGRATION LAW
BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL
Newton, Mass.
HATS OFF FOR PRESENTING THE TRUTH regarding our nation's borders! For more than 30 years, I was a member of the U.S. border patrol, and I have seen the apathy of both political parties regarding illegal immigration. Despite the war against terrorism, an estimated 1.8 million illegal aliens cross Arizona's border yearly. In a quest for votes and cheap labor, political parties and corporations actively promote illegal entries with promises of jobs and social services. The problem cannot be solved until elected leaders use their basic common sense and act. Terrorists can enter just as easily as do the masses of politically correct, government-sponsored illegals who violate our immigration laws 24/7.
JOHN SLAGLE, SPECIAL AGENT (RET.)
U.S. BORDER PATROL
Three Points, Ariz.
HOW ABOUT TAKING SOME OF THE billions of dollars that are going to Iraq and spending them to help the U.S. border patrol? Perhaps cheap labor for corporate America means more to politicians in power than a more secure America for the rest of us.
ROBERT JOHNS
Everett, Wash.
OUR MISSION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF Homeland Security (DHS) is to protect the U.S. from terrorists and their weapons. We have taken an aggressive approach toward securing U.S. borders since 9/11 by focusing on closing interior immigration loopholes while shutting down the access and routes along our border. Therefore, I read with great disappointment your article "Who Left the Door Open?" The story failed to inform your readers of significant efforts by more than 34,000 DHS employees who work tirelessly every day to enforce our nation's immigration laws. In the past 18 months, the government has implemented more measures to counteract illegal immigration than in the past 10 years combined. Better use of technology, thousands of added border enforcement personnel and newly created partnerships with local law enforcement are all part of this effort. Your article failed to acknowledge any of the progress that has been made on these important issues.
ASA HUTCHINSON, UNDER SECRETARY
BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Washington