Regarding the Feb. 19 Editor’s Note, it is
refreshing to read something that actually makes sense regarding
the subject of illegal immigration. The solution is to find a way
to accommodate the people who want to come to this country and
work, and at the same time to find a way for illegal immigrants who
are already in this country to achieve citizenship. The alternative
is a human rights disaster. Unfortunately, that kind of common
sense only goes as far as when the next demagogue comes along to
exploit the issue, and as long as it takes for the next group of
badly informed people to follow his or her lead. I believe we
should tell the next demagogue/ill-informed person, “Fine,
you have the job of Federal Illegal Immigration Commissioner. You
have to stop illegal immigration and to deport 11 to 12 million
illegal immigrants. You get to keep the job as long as you do not
violate the Constitution and as long as you can stay out of
jail.” I do not believe it can be done.
Charles Blanchard
Eugene,
Oregon
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Mission, impossible.
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