I was surprised with the conclusions regarding immigration reached in the Dec. 22, 2017, commentary by Dr. Kamila Valenta, especially the statement that “our country can be made safer by embracing immigration.” As a Native American born and raised on a remote, poverty-stricken reservation, I can say firsthand that not all people “come in peace.” If we Indians had strong immigration laws and were more careful about welcoming everyone who showed up on our shores, we wouldn’t have lost our homes and our country. Read the commentary.
On a practical note, how would we see financing of all the costs incurred when we allow all of these immigrants – such as housing, health care, education and food? And what about jobs? Do our citizens lose their job opportunities?
I think there should be stronger immigration laws, or all of you may end up like my people.
Daphne Stroup is a member of St. Therese Church in Mooresville.
In response to Dr. Kamila Valenta’s Dec. 22, 2017, commentary “Stand up to violent extremism by supporting immigration,” I would like to say that if a country allows 10,000 Muslims to come in, people may feel alienated and thus be easily radicalized. Whether or not these are the wishes of the native population isn’t asked – or seemingly cared about. Read the commentary.
Make no mistake, several countries – primarily Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria – have been unjustly destroyed since 2001, and the countries that pushed for their destruction (the United States, the United Kingdom and others) should pay for their rebuilding.
But using these unjust invasions and destructive policies to justify mass resettlement of refugees in this country is equally unjust.
Bill Federkiel is a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.