Different thought on how to 'Save the Old Dominion'
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I am writing in response to the April 23 article titled, “Immigration groups band together.” I am disturbed by the simplistic and inhumane proposals of the group, the Capital Area Alliance Against Illegal Immigration.
The aggressive anti-illegal immigration activities of the group, and the policies implemented by the Prince William government promote harassment of many Hispanics, both legal and illegal, in an atmosphere of fear, paranoia and discrimination. This group identifies Hispanic people as the targets of special scrutiny for possible crimes and, thus, as candidates for deportation.
As food for thought, I present the following scenario. Let us suppose for a moment that Greg Letiecq, the executive director of Save The Old Dominion, had himself, by a change in fate, been born as a man in El Salvador. He is earning $1 per day, unable to feed and house his family and denied the opportunity for education. In addition, he is struggling in the aftermath of war and continuing political corruption where economic opportunities are nil. The policies of the current government appear to be condoned by the U.S. government. Is it more or less moral for this man to seek an option where there is the possibility for survival and a better life for oneself and one's children, even if that means immigrating illegal to the U.S.? Mr. Letiecq, if you were able to see yourself as such a man from El Salvador, what choice would you make?
Global problems are our problems, especially when our government has a hand in enabling unsavory governments. The solutions are not simple and will not be solved by deportation nor by inhumane practices towards other human beings. Let us remember that the heroes of the American Revolution were traitors who had broken the law.
What if the U.S. and other countries were to promote economic assistance that supported the economic welfare in developing countries? Then remaining in one's own country might be the preferred option. If we are not part of the solution with a global perspective, then we are the problem because we live in a global community.
I can offer no easy solutions but I strongly oppose the inhumane treatment of Hispanics endorsed by the policies put forward by this group.
Ann Millard
Reston
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