Why we have Borders. (Letters to the Editor).The June 2, 2003 edition of THE NEW AMERICAN contained a letter to the editor ("More Immigrants Needed?") criticizing what the writer called the "counterproductive" immigration laws. He refers to aliens as "harmless foreigners." As an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, I have to tell you that such an attitude is exactly what has caused our immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. problem. In my 18 years on the job, I have arrested many criminal aliens. Their crimes have ranged from DWI An abbreviation for driving while intoxicated, which is an offense committed by an individual who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or Drugs and Narcotics. , vehicle pursuits, burglary. drug trafficking, fraud, sexual assault, rape, and murder. I would hardly call these people "harmless foreigners." Many aliens capitalize upon this "harmless foreigner" image and look at the U.S. and its citizens as easy prey. When I talk with people who hold to an "open border" mentality, I ask them if they would like these criminal aliens living next door to them. When they respond "no," then the only course of action is to have immigration laws and to enforce them. Yes, the majority of the aliens we arrest are not violent, but we are a sovereign nation and must enforce our laws to keep it that way. The writer of the above-mentioned letter went on to describe the "Gestapo-like INS INS abbr. 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service 2. International News Service Noun 1. INS ." I don't think there is another law enforcement agency Noun 1. law enforcement agency - an agency responsible for insuring obedience to the laws FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation - a federal law enforcement agency that is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Justice in the U.S. or the world that arrests more people on a daily basis than the Border Patrol and the INS (which was abolished on March 1, 2003 and folded into the Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States ). The agents involved in these arrests many times are lifesavers to aliens often left to die in the desert by the smugglers. I know of many agents who use their own money to provide food for aliens. I also know of many agents who have received letters of appreciation from aliens they have arrested, thanking them for treating them professionally and humanely. We are not perfect, but our task is daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin and we try to do the best with what we have. Support from our elected officials and the public would go a long way towards doing our job. "Gestapo-like"? I don't think so. Remember, our job is to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States. East German guards were well known for preventing people from leaving. If you don't like it here in the U.S., you are always welcome to leave. Nobody is stopping you from doing that. GARY ROUSSIE Buffalo, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of |
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