A legal way exists

One element in the article "Thousands Protest Sheriff's Immigration Efforts" (Jan. 17) is a jaw dropper. As reported, the protest organizers wanted "to show officials in Washington that ... Congress and the Obama administration need to come up with a way for immigrant workers to come to the country legally." Oh really, now?

There already is a legal way for immigrants to come to the United States. It's been in place for decades. A quick Internet search will show, for example, that in Mexico there are nine consulates and 14 consular agencies. I'm sure the protest organizers have Internet access. And guess what? In every country in the Americas (except maybe Cuba), the United States maintains embassies, consulates and consular agencies. Check it out! You can even read the site in Spanish. Imagine that!

If someone wishes to come to the United States legally, simply visit one of these offices and apply. It's basically the same procedure my mother used in 1938. After several months of a background check (yes, it was done in those days, too), she got her papers. Of course, she had to show that she would not need public assistance once she got here.

It's high time to make known that the United States is not the world's welfare office. If foreign nationals have skills, can contribute to and be a part of our economy and culture, be self-supporting and do it legally, welcome to the United States. If not, stay where you are.

 

BILL ROTH
West Homestead