Louisiana responds to Jenna Doucet after she wrote to her earlier in the day. She is upset about the way America and Americans have become divided regarding the touchy issue of illegal immigration and voices her views on the issue.
Thursday, March 30, 2006, 4:07 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Jenna Aurora~
I thank you for writing; but I do agree with you on some points regarding the immagration issue. Yes, something needs to be done. Yes, our government needs to get involved in trying to control the influx of people blatantly crossing our border. Yes, people who do hire illegal aliens do need to be punished with the severest form of the law (pay a hefty fine).
But on the other hand, I don't think the borders need to be closed. That would not solve anything; it would only cause undue strife and anger among our northern and southern neighbors. Things could get ugly if this is done, and they will find other desperate ways to try to get in, even to the point of using force or terror as a means of getting across. No, that would not be a good thing.
I don't think all illegal aliens should be sent back, especially if they already have their green cards (or the appropriate papers) or are studying for their citizenship test. I also feel that not all illegal aliens should be returned. Some of my very own children are still classified as being "illegal"; does this mean that they have to go back too when all I am doing is giving them a home or a chance to succeed in life? Does that make me a bad person, taking in foreign-born children* to raise as my own?
But those people who intentionally break the law or absolutely refuse to learn our language or learn our ways of life here should be punished, particularly if they commit a crime. They should be given an extensive background check; if they are found to be lying or hiding any dirty little secrets (such as being a terrorist or living under an assumed name or purposely lying just to get across), you bet your sweet dollar they should be punished.
Or they should, at least, be deported with absolutely no chance of being able to come back to our country. I also feel those who are getting tax breaks or free health care or are taking advantage of our services should have all that taken away, and the services should be given back to those who need it the most: our poor, our veterans, our elderly, and our diaabled.
Now you know how I feel. I agree on some points, but as you can see, I disagree on others. It is a Catch-22 situation, and it is dividing our country in half. So many people have different feelings regarding this issue, but there is one thing we do ALL agree on: the subject of illegal immigration has become a huge problem, particularly with the Mexicans, who continue to stream northward and changing the very face of our people. Now it seems that the Latina/Latino population is becoming the majority when once it was the Caucasian/white populace, and it is changing every facet of our life: our health, our work, our very existance.
It just isn't the Hispanics: it is ALL people who are foreign born. Somehow this issue has touched all walks of life, all races, all religions, and some people are for it while others are clearly against it.
I don't really have a problem with immigrants coming here, but I do have a big problem with the Mexicans refusing to learn our language and blatantly refusing all things American when they are living/working in our nation. That is what gets me so fired up: I have been watching the demonstrations on the tv, and it sickened me to see them chanting "Viva, Mexico" when it should be "Viva, America"! That doesn't make any sense whatsoever! If they like being here so much, they should learn OUR language nad fly OUR flag!! Case closed!!
Jenna, I know I shouldn't go on about this, but this is an issue close to my heart, since four of my own children (Roberto, Enriquesa, Jeraldo, and Monica) are Latino/Latina. I am sure that Jeraldo and Enriquesa have questions about the news images being showed on tv and how torn they must feel about their heritage. I am trying to be supportive of their heritage, but I can't help but to worry about how they must feel deep inside, knowing that they are now Americans and now live here in America. I worry that this may make them feel bad about their background and I don't want them to feel that way at all! What is a mother to do??
Jenna, I am sorry for going on about this, but as you can see, it is a issue that has gotten me fired up (not to mention, a lot of other people). I hope you didn't mind my views on the subject, but once I started, I just sort of took off, and things quickly went out of control. Please do forgive me.
The weather here is nice, but we may have rain by tomorrow night or Saturday. We could get some nasty storms here, but I hope and pray not. Sounds like you could use a break from all that cold weather; bet you are all sick and tired of cold/snow! I bet you are more than ready for the spring flowers to go poppin' out!
It sounds like you are going to have a nice Easter. We are going to have our annual Easter Cantata at our church and have company from California here for Easter break. We aren't really planning much because the Cantata will take up a lot of our time (both the rehearsing, then the actual Cantata itself). Only after the Cantata has ended is when we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and relax.
Thanks for the congratualatory wishes for my daughter and also my friends M'Buti and Sari. They will be glad to know that you are keeping them in your prayers. We are doing the same for you; we hope that your pregnancy progresses with no problems whatsoever!
Well, Jenna, I am in the middle of making supper (plus it will be time to soon hook Jodie up to her feeding tube so she can "eat"), so I will go for now. Take care, and God bless you always! Love you!
(((HUGS))) As always, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :( (Upset about this whole deal with the immigration issue)
*Janica, Rani, and Arjun, who just came about a year ago to our family.
this is an issue that we'll be talked about for a long time. There are many, including myself, who are not happy at all with President Bush's policy about immigration and others who have no problem with it. it's an interesting discussion with many feelings on both sides. thanks for bringing a current issue to light in your letters.
I believe that Louisiana is going to have to contact her adoption lawyer PRONTO to get the children's papers in proper order.
I think the borders DO need to be sealed and heavy fines imposed on anyone who encourages the illegals to enter the country and hires them, knowing they're illegal.
Karen
The serious Immigration issue has got people all fired up for sure, and has split the nation from top to bottom again..
One thing is for sure...President Bush is gonna have to tell Vincente Fox the game's up...no more illegal Mexicanos getting into Californai and Arizona...period !
Another accomplished write
Love and Blessings
Peter
