Don't Support Illegal Aliens
To The Editor:

I have never written to your paper before. I usually support your opinions. However, the article written by John Toscano [Jan. 2, 2007, p. 8, "Many Fresh Direct Workers Facing Immigrant Status Test, Quit Jobs", quoting Congressmember Nydia Velazquez] really upset me. We as a nation must decide whether or not we want to teach our children that breaking the law is wrong. If we decide that it is wrong to break the law and enter this country illegally then we cannot support companies who hire illegal aliens. We must require proper IDs for all workers. We must make it clear that in America citizens are expected to follow the rules and obey the law. If we want a secure America, then we must demand that our borders be secured and that those who are here illegally be asked to leave. No one wants others to have hardships. Most of us who are privileged to be American citizens understand how great our democratic system of government is. We are proud to be American citizens.

Those who choose the legal route sometimes wait for up to 10 years before their dream [of] becoming an American citizen comes true. We cannot allow those who break the law and enter our country illegally to remain and get jobs and have benefits and have children who are American citizens to criticize and protest and demand the same benefits as others who have waited 10 years to attain. The message for our youth is if you break the law and "lay low", eventually you will be forgiven. Why would anyone want that message to be passed to our youth?

I would never want anyone to be hungry. I would never want anyone to be homeless. I would never want anyone not to have the necessities to sustain life. Unless our politicians stop playing both sides against the middle, this problem will continue. If proper documentation is required for a job, then proper identification should be presented. If it is not, then that person should not be allowed to continue working. They should be required to return to their homeland. Our forefathers came from other places. They entered legally. They often waited and their families waited, too. It was hard for them, as it is for all those who leave their homeland and relocate.

Please do not perpetuate this concept that everyone and anyone who "sneaks" in is now entitled to remain because we do not know how to handle the tens of thousands who have now done this. We must make every effort to stop this trend. Feeling sorry for those that have broken our laws gives the wrong message. Sincerely, Maureen Santora Astoria