‘Uninformed masses’ want illegal immigrants out of Arizona
“The Arizona Syndrome: propaganda and the politics of fear” [Opinion, May 23] suggests that the decline in illegal border crossings should be a reason to negate the new Arizona law. But it does not alleviate the burden Arizona bears from the cumulative effect of past and present volumes.
The column fails to come face-to-face with the truth that the serious illegal immigration problem is a legitimate criticism of the federal government. The “uninformed masses” are the citizen taxpayers and voters, and they want illegal immigrants out of Arizona and the United States.
— Richard Starr, Sammamish
Hatred, violence the result of failed vigilance and scapegoating
Thanks to David Altheide for exposing the tired lies and political opportunism that led to Arizona’s shameful legislation.
The public needs much more light and far less heat in order to deal rationally with the issue of immigration reform. We need to remind ourselves that time and again, when good people have failed to be vigilant and expose this kind of scapegoating, hatred and violence have been the result.
— Lisa Dekker, Seattle
Enforce immigration laws
In his column about Arizona’s statute requiring enforcement of immigration laws, David Altheide said “Fear is driving the legislation and emotions in Arizona these days.” More than two-thirds of Arizonans support the law and perhaps they are driven by fear. As I cannot read minds, I withhold judgment.
In a Zogby Poll in April, John Zogby, who is the son of a Lebanese illegal immigrant, found that 61 percent of Americans polled supported deporting illegal residents or prosecuting the employers who hire them. Thirty-one percent of those polled supported amnesty for illegal immigrants. More about this poll can be read at Forbes.com.
Clearly, whatever motivates voters, most Americans do not support amnesty and they believe that immigration laws should be enforced.
— Linda Thom, Coupeville