Commentary: Admitting Dreamers is indeed Christian, but consider effects of ‘chain migration’

David Smith’s commentary recommending protection for the “Dreamers,” (“As churchgoers we urge Congress to protect the Dreamers,” Sept. 24) is consistent with the teaching of our Christian heritage.

While their parents have no excuse for violating our immigration laws, the “Dreamers” are usually considered victims of their parents’ crimes, but on the other hand, do we allow the “Dreamers” to keep their ill-gotten rewards?

Legalizing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will have a feel good after-effect, but will also produce many negatives. The government estimates there are 800,000 in the DACA category, but history shows us the government greatly underestimates the numbers of illegal immigrants. It estimated there were 1 million illegal immigrants who would be legalized in 1986, and it turned out to be 2.7 million.

With just the Dreamers we can speculate there will be around 800,000, but that still doesn’t take into account their relatives. Once “Dreamers” become lawful, permanent residents, they are allowed to sponsor their immediate family members. “NumbersUSA,” an advocacy group that seeks to reduce legal and illegal immigration, estimates this would be around 3 million people.

We also have immigration laws which allow non-nuclear family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) to come into our country. This is known as “chain migration.” Since “chain migration” has become law, our total number of poor immigrants has increased dramatically, which has resulted in more Americans living in poverty.

California has more immigrants than any other state, with 27.5% of its residents having been born abroad. We also have the nation’s 17th highest poverty rate, which is currently 15%.

No nation can import millions of poor people without increasing the number of those living in poverty. This includes citizens who lose their jobs or see their wages stagnate, due to the growth of cheap immigrant labor.

Considering all of the negatives, will Congress grant amnesty to the “Dreamers?” The best hope for the “Dreamers,” as well as the American people, is that Congress will compromise and give amnesty in exchange for the following: a mandatory E-Verify law, an end to “chain migration,” a reduction in the overall number of immigrants, stressing highly-skilled workers and, of course, Trump’s wall.

Such a compromise would benefit our workforce and also dramatically reduce future illegal immigration, thus solving one of America’s biggest problems.

BILL COOL lives in Corona del Mar.