Dear Editor:
I liked a lot of the letter by David D. Murray, Esq., on 10/28/02, but I'm not sure about his solution to the "immigration problem". He wrote that (paraphrasing) we should concentrate on "filling the needs of America's employers". That mindset is a large part of the reason why the immigration laws aren't being enforced.
Why I really wrote was to "quibble" with some of his definitions - "immigrants", "non-immigrants", "illegals", etc. He wrote: "Definitions must be clear and their meanings correctly applied." I agree, and would like to offer the following.
Under Title 8, Chapter 12, Subchapter 1, Section 1101, of the United States Code, the following definitions apply. (I'm not good at this stuff, but I believe it can be found at: www.fourmilab.ch/uscode/8usc/www.contents.html)
Paragraph (15) says that the term "immigrant" means "every alien except an alien that is within one of the ..." classes of lawfully admitted nonimmigrant aliens. Not all immigrants have complied with the law; many are illegally in the U.S. And, those who are here on valid nonimmigrant visas and are maintaining status are definitely not immigrants. The nonimmigrant classes are all listed under paragraph (15). Mr. Murray wrote that "nonimmigrants are actually temporary immigrants". But, under the law, I believe that's oxymoronic.
Paragraph (3) says that the term "alien" means "any person not a citizen or national of the United States". Mr. Murray seems to avoid the use of the term "alien", as do most others in the pro-immigration camp. Still, like it or not, it's the proper term.
As far as "illegals" goes, I don't think it much matters what they're called; they're still in this country illegally. Probably the closest legal term would be: "aliens illegally in the United States". We all know the "PC patrol" won't let that be used.
I hope Mr. Murray won't mind my "quibbling" and that he will correct me if I'm in error. I think his letter would be a good place to start a discussion about what this country is going to do about immigration.
John H. Frecker
Baileyville, ME
U.S. Border Patrol (Ret.)
Copyright © 1999-2002 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM
|
Add to del.icio.us