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Raleigh

Laws must be enforced

I have no problems with immigration but am adamantly opposed to illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants have all broken the laws of the United States and do not belong in this country. These laws should be enforced by all law enforcement agents and agencies in this country.

Both the executive and legislative branches of our federal government have been lax in making the proper laws and enforcing those already on the books. We do not need "open borders." In fact, we need to close our borders to the illegal immigrants but keep them open to legal immigrants.

We can quote the many criminals, the high cost of health care for these illegal immigrants, the lack of their paying proper taxes and many more factors that illustrate the burden they place on our society. This is a burden we need to bear. Those hiring or employing these illegal immigrants are equally wrong. They should also be prosecuted to the extent of the law.

Tom Nicholas

Raleigh

At stake in Mexico

In the illegal immigration debate, logistical problems in "sealing" the border and mass deportation are often considered. However, the consequences of these on the stability of Mexico are often ignored.

Mass immigration is vital to the health of both our countries -- not so much because the U.S. economy depends on mostly Mexican immigrants, but because the stability of Mexico depends on the exportation of labor.

The money remitted from the U.S. by Mexicans is a $20 billion injection into Mexico's economy and is second only to oil revenue for foreign income. Nearly two in five Mexicans live in poverty, and a significant reduction in this income, along with mass repatriation -- some 12 million, mostly men, suddenly with plenty of idle time -- could destabilize Mexico.

Before we blame Mexico, we need to realize our part in this dilemma. NAFTA has rid the continent of protections that could have helped foster domestic industry. Now, however, there will be no Mexican cars or computers. Mexico is but a home to the plants (maquiladoras) that assemble these items. And even these plants are increasingly leaving, as foreign companies seek still cheaper labor in Asia.

Today, Mexico has a functioning bureaucracy, and Mexico's army and federal police are strong and well-provisioned. Despite their reputation for corruption, they are the front line in the war on drug cartels.

Now imagine if that changed. Imagine if American zeal to seal our border leads to a failed Mexican state with the millions seeking to leave for a better life becoming tens of millions! Imagine if drug cartels no longer concerned themselves with Mexico's formidable federal police but could directly engage U.S. border patrol and local police.

Mexico's stability stands as testament to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. This is not Mexico's problem or the United States' problem. This is our problem. And as we share this problem, we must share in the solution.

Joseph Sasser

Raleigh

Illegal is illegal

It appears to me we have two senators wanting to be president of the United States -- Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama -- who need to be educated that by coming to this country without going through the immigration procedures currently in place makes you a lawbreaker.

When you have the word illegal in front of the word immigrant, that means you broke the law of this country to get here.

In response to the question on illegal immigration, they included these phrases: "who work and obey the law" (Clinton) and "learn English and have not broken the law" (Obama). With my poor understanding of English and the law, all illegal immigrants would not qualify under either of their plans.

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