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Uniform Immigration Policy Needed Christian Science Monitor Regarding William Birdthistle's Dec. 29 Opinion piece, "Immigration process leaves harsh imprint": What Mr. Birdthistle and others tend to forget is that while immigration is always beneficial to immigrants, it is not always beneficial to Americans. Mass legal and illegal immigration, which now totals more than 1 million yearly, has an enormous impact on every aspect of life for Americans as well as for the immigrants. Immigration is a public policy, and like every other American public policy, its first priority must be the needs and interests of the American people. Immigration policy should consider the interests of people who have to compete for jobs with immigrants, whose kids attend schools that are increasingly crowded with non-English-speaking kids, and who rely on health and public services that are increasingly overwhelmed by the needs of newcomers. Birdthistle is absolutely correct that U.S. immigration laws need to be less convoluted. We need a uniform policy that lets everyone—natives as well as prospective immigrants—know what the rules are and that they will be enforced. |
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