Readers React: You don’t have to be a nationalist to support cutting immigration to the U.S.

To the editor: While I support your position that the “Dreamers” should be legalized and given a path to citizenship in a timely manner, I believe that several of your points about immigration in general should be examined more closely. (“This isn’t an immigration plan, it’s a ransom note,” editorial, Jan. 26)

You mention that “Trump administration nationalists” want to cut the flow of people into this country significantly. There are many of us who are not nationalists but also want to limit immigration.

Since immigration is a major driver of population growth in the U.S., we must consider its impact on the environment and our quality of life. The bulldozing of our wild lands, traffic-jammed freeways, housing shortages, pollution and overcrowded recreational facilities are all the result of continued population growth.

You repeat the argument that immigration has made America what it is today. True, but so did the slaughter of Native Americans and the institution of slavery. Occasionally we should reevaluate policies to see whether they still make sense going forward, and we need to have that discussion about immigration now.

John La Grange, Solana Beach

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To the editor: Your editorial points out the lack of a comprehensive immigration proposal from the governing Republicans.

The GOP has competing immigration constituencies: businesses that want cheap workers without rights, and working citizens who want immigrants out of our country and our job market. Republicans are protecting their business constituency and conning their working constituency.

Trump insults immigrants and publicizes raids that deport a handful of workers, but he fails to penalize businesses that hire undocumented workers, and neither Trump nor the GOP Congress plans to deport or legalize the millions of people here without authorization.

Deporting them would make their jobs available to citizens. Legalizing them, so they’d have rights to equal pay and payment for all hours worked, would level the playing field with citizens. Either would end the gravy train for businesses that underpay illegal workers.

The Republicans are loyal to businesses, not workers.

Bob Gerecke, Claremont

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