Defining Immigration

* Re “Firmer Case on Immigration Costs,” editorial, Feb. 8: Those who pioneered this country defined the meaning of “Americans” as rugged individuals who desired to escape their pasts and venture into a new world to create a better life for themselves and their families. Why then do we now criminalize those who sacrifice their lives to come to America in search of a new and better life? We go so far as to drain precious federal, state and local resources to chase down and demoralize these freedom-seeking people, while we reap the tremendous output and tax receipts from their tireless work ethic once they arrive in this country. We hypocritically recruit foreign workers with limited specialized skills and reject those immigrants who spill blood to fill the unwanted and disrespected low-paying jobs of a new economy. Let us finally embrace these true Americans and give their sacrifice the respect it deserves.

ELOY OAKLEY

Irvine