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Immigration issue must be resolved
To the Editor:
The subject of an open border and illegal immigrants is a concern to many Americans. Since the primary election season began in Iowa and New Hampshire, it was the most important topic among voters. Current estimates are over 11 million illegal immigrants. The estimated number of them working is over 8 million. Donald Trump has stated at rallies he will deport all illegals. I wonder at the wisdom of this idea.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the last estimated JOLTS, (job openings report), we have over 9 million open job positions in the country. If Trump gets elected and tries to deport all 11 million illegals, how do they all get rounded up? Who is going to go around the country and find them? Will we become a police state like the Nazis rounding up the Jews in Germany? Where do we deport these people from over 100 countries to? For example, the Chinese coming in now, [they] reportedly are the biggest group. They have studied how to proceed. There are videos on TikTok telling them step by step how to safely do it. They cross the border and look for the closest border agent where they surrender and ask for political asylum. [The] current policy is to take their name and information, then give them a court date for a hearing in about seven years. 'Til that date, they are free to go anywhere in the country they want but are required to show up for their scheduled court date.
So after their court date, their asylum claim, if approved, means they can stay, or if their claim is denied, we could deport them, put them on a flight. But, and this is a big point, China will not take them back.
Because of Biden's open border and a good chance Trump will be elected and close the border doesn't it make sense immigrants are rushing to come in while the gettin's good.
I wish the border was secure. I wish Congress would come up with a new improved immigration policy like Canada or Australia has, a best in world, merit based plan, which Donald Trump supported. But in the meantime, look, we need workers in a growing economy. Biden let them in. The majority are here for a better life and to grab the American dream, wholly achievable with hard work. So give them amnesty, a green card, help them find jobs. In case you haven't heard Social Security and Medicare unless fixed will run short of money in 8-10 years. New workers will pay Social Security taxes on each paycheck to help keep them solvent.
So I say, close the border, give green cards to the ones here, remember its estimated 8 million of them are already working. Help them find jobs, then pay taxes. If they work, pay taxes, do not break the law, tell them they have a path to citizenship in four to seven years.
When Ronald Reagan got one of the immigration bills passed, he gave asylum to the ones here. This is not a new idea. We have to look at all angles, and make the best choices. I wish all immigrants would have gone by the rules and waited on the inept state department immigration unit, years behind to grant their applications. But, that is not reality. I admire anyone willing to try and get to the U.S. for a better life. That is what our ancestors did.
Wayne Loht
McClure