Don't reward
illegal immigrants
In response to the comments on "fair immigration" by Robert Minneke in the April 15 edition of the Enterprise, he did not differentiate between "legal immigrants," and, as he put it, "undocumented immigrants" or "undocumented workers," as others choose to call them.
The term "undocumented" has become a nicer, feel-good, politically correct term used by people in place of the correct term of "illegal aliens," which is actually what they are. These days, too many people are afraid they may offend someone or hurt their feelings by calling a spade a spade - or in this case, an illegal an illegal - and treat them as such. The word "illegal" itself means "not legal," or breaking the law. Illegal immigrants, no matter where they come from, should not be rewarded by being given priority citizenship opportunities ahead of those who are trying to become Americans in the normal, legal manner.
"Legal" immigrants, such as my ancestors and most other Americans' ancestors, came here and went through the legal immigration process to become proud American citizens and to assimilate into the American way of life. They understood along with citizenship, this meant also defending their new country and its flag in word and deed, if necessary. This "legal" route to citizenship was anything but easy, but it made them stronger people and more loyal Americans because of it. Anything that comes easy is not appreciated as much as what comes though hard work and determination.
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Portions of a speech given by President Teddy Roosevelt 91 years ago, in 1915, on the immigrant subject still ring true today; just the faces have changed.
R. Buntrock
Osage
