We Get Comments
11/4/01
I just read a letter that is alleged to have been written by you concerning immigration matters. I realize that I am not one of your constituents, but I was born in your state, and immigration affects all of us equally.
In a word, Senator Wellstone, you are, at best, misguided. A couple of things appear obvious. You do not have a solid grasp of what truly happens in the underground society of illegals. Neither do you have a particularly strong appreciation of the laws of these United States.
It is, in fact, in violation of both criminal and administrative statutes to enter this country illegal. It is a violation punishable by fines, prison terms, and deportation. If a person enters this country illegally on more that one occasion, that person can be found guilty of a felony. Yet, you make it clear that you do support many who have violated those laws. It is my personal opinion and, I think, the opinion of the bulk of the American public that no one, including senators, has the right to support or encourage violations of federal law. It's a thin line between encouraging, and abetting, violations, and abetting is, in and of itself, a criminal violation.
You, Mr. Wellstone, are treading on very thin legal ice. I am no longer in the business of arresting, and presenting for prosecution, people of your ilk, but I did make a long and very successful career of it. When you state that you will only support practices that are fair and just (in your mind), you imply that you will not support laws concerning illegal immigration with which you do not agree. As a law maker of this great country, your position is ill informed, and disgusting.
When you say that only 10% of those that enter illegally actually remain, that may be true. The other 90% leave either by virtue of legal action, which is quite costly, or after they have earned a predetermined amount, all of which has been sent directly to their countries of origin. That can be, and is, a substantial, direct, and hidden gold drain from the United States. So, even if they do not collect welfare, as you insist, they do have a substantial and direct impact on our infrastructure, and our economy.
It is arguable, however, whether they do, or do not, collect welfare. I personally arrested an illegal alien who had been hired by a Washington State assistance program so that he might more readily access the hordes of illegals in the central part of the state.
As to whether or not illegal aliens might take professional jobs from American citizens, I arrested a citizen of Japan here illegally while he was working as a metallurgical engineer. He was making top dollar.
You argue that they start businesses. That is true. Some of them do. But isn't it sad that someone who is definitely a violator of criminal statutes, in fact a criminal, possibly a felon, and deportable, can wade into our society and fire up a business with impunity? Especially now that we have suffered through September 11th, I think some warning lights should be flashing about this exact thing that you promote.
You imply that our society unfairly blames it's problems on legal immigrants. It does not, least wise, very few do. Many, however, do blame illegal aliens for societal problems. Illegal aliens have developed vast subcultures in which they dwell and hide. They use alias. They secure counterfeit identification. They drive without insurance and registration. They flee the scenes of accidents. Many are quick to adjudicate home turf disputes with knives. I confiscated more firearms than I will ever remember from these allegedly placid illegals that you encourage.
I think Mr. Wellstone, that you missed the big picture. These people in question came to this country in violation of law. From the very git-go, they have displayed a despicable disregard for our laws. They are not the people of whom good citizens are made. The immigrants of whom good citizens are made are those who stand in long lines, and wait, and do it right.
You cannot defend legally immigrated resident aliens in the same breath with which you defend illegals. We have a criminal element in our society. They are, basically, not the same as the legal and upstanding citizens. The same is true with those who wish to enter this country.
I have oft times said that the smuggling of narcotics into this country probably will not bring us to our collective knees. Huge masses of illegal aliens, however, is an entirely different situation. They can, and will, bring us to our knees if nothing is done to stem the tide.
As a rather important aside, I should add that, although it is said that several of the most recent hijackers were here legally, I would question that. As in all cases, intent must be studied. Since it was not their intent to do here as they said they were going to do, they entered fraudulently. That would make them illegal, and deportable.
You, Senator Wellstone, have been blinded by your own convoluted sense of goodness. You have forgotten for whom you work.
Most Sincerely,
Gary L. Fossen