The issue surrounding the protests in Murrieta on Tuesday is complicated and obviously hotly debated on both sides. I am without all the pertinent information so will point fingers at no one.
But one thing drives me crazy. The unceasing waving of American flags at these protests.
That flag represents the freedom that these immigrants so desperately crave. It is a symbol of the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. It is the flag of a nation made entirely of immigrants. It says “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
The irony is palatable and nauseating. It shows a total lack of understanding of U.S. history and spits in the face of all those who perished defending it. It is ignorance personified.
Protest all you want, that is your right. But leave the flag of the greatest nation the world has ever seen out of the fracas. When you wave it out of fear and anger at these protests you wave it not as a representative of this great country but as a glaring reminder of the very principles we oppose.
William H. Fletcher
Murrieta
Congratulations to the protesters stopping the buses carrying illegal immigrants. You are representing the desire of Americans across the country to enforce the borders of the United States and prevent illegal immigration of anyone, young or old.
We must protect our country. When the United States regains its strength, we can again help other people. In the meantime, our country comes first. I grew up in San Diego, my family still lives there, and I heartily support the actions taken by the protesters to assert our rights as a country to maintain our borders.
Linda Conde
Roosevelt, Utah
A plan with over 140 illegal immigrants landed in San Diego today. My understanding is that this scene will be repeated every three days until ICE stops this policy. This particular group was headed to Murrieta where local residents turned the buses away.
That these and others in detention are not immediately returned over the border is troubling on many fronts. Where are our elected federal official? Where is Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein? My guess is that they are rapidly crafting legislation to to provide benefits for those here illegally.
The media are broadcasting that one of the ways these people can stay is a claim of political asylum. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that human traffickers will be prepping their human cargo.
What amazes me is that if I were to set my kids on an unsupervised journey across hostile lands and foreign borders, the local social services department would be all over me for child neglect. This practice is of accepting these unaccompanied and illegal immigrants only reinforces the belief that there is freedom awaiting just by crossing the border.
The fastest way to end the invasion, and yes, this is an invasion, is to turn illegals right back across the border and make it Mexico’s problem. Its lack of interdiction makes the country complicit with human traffickers.
My last point is our president is selectively enforcing or not enforcing existing law simply because he has the bully pulpit to do so. What do you think his response would be if 100 million American taxpayers decided not to file and pay their income taxes? Let’s see what our government would do in that case.
Jack V. Cohen
San Diego
I am often repulsed by the hatred that has become commonplace again and again with our divided politics but the latest, so-called, patriotic mobs who blocked the buses this week have pushed me to speak in outrage.
When they wave the American flag, they are not just representing themselves, they are representing me and all other Americans. They are afforded the right to voice their opinion and to gather in protest, but when they spew hatred, don’t wave our beautiful American flag. It’s not just those on the buses and the news reporters who see it, the entire world sees it. I don’t share their views, they don’t represent the United States that I value and they don’t speak for me. Leave the American flag at home.
Urge elected representatives to work on a fair and doable solution to immigration, instead of victimizing people who most likely have been victimized their whole lives.
The protesters don’t represent me or my family, and they certainly don’t represent the values that this nation was built on.
Lenna Doyle
La Jolla
It appears that racism is alive and well in Murrieta. What an ugly display. As a member of the Border Angels rightly said, “if these were Canadian children, there wouldn’t be problem.” A sad and embarrassing day.
Peter Jarman
San Diego
I have never felt more ashamed of the American people than when I read the front page story about mobs of angry citizens screaming and blocking the way for three bus-loads of children. These children are in a foreign country, many do not speak English or Spanish. They are exhausted after a long plane ride, and rushed on to big buses and driven out on a busy highway heading somewhere they do not know. Probably hungry. Certainly tired. Children!
We are celebrating the 4th of July, a time when this country declared its independence after being settled by “foreigners”. We pride ourselves in being a humane people, “exceptional” is what we call ourselves. I call us cruel and selfish. The whole world is watching.
Kathleen (Kay) O’Neil
La Mesa
One can only be grateful that in the first century, when Joseph and Mary fled from the Palestinian terror with their baby Jesus, they were headed to Egypt where they were granted amnesty. They wouldn’t have been so fortunate had they headed for Murrieta, where the locals were so threatened by three busloads of immigrants that they turned out in force to demonstrate their abhorrence of these helpless women and children. It made no difference that their family median income is more than $83,000,
Conversely, the good people of San Ysidro, whose family median income is barely $28,000, met the immigrants with signs of welcome and hospitality. One doesn’t have to wonder which of these communities demonstrated greater Christian love in the face of an American humanitarian crisis almost on the eve of our Independence Day.
God bless San Ysidro, and may God have mercy on Murrieta.
Emery J. Cummins
San Diego
I am ashamed of US.
I’m ashamed that people cannot find it in their hearts to help out with the illegal children who need a place to stay while the ‘Feds’ figure out what to do with them. The kids can come stay with us.
I’m ashamed of the continued petty behavior of Congress and all the people who naively support them; I’m ashamed of the continued greed that permeates our country; I’m ashamed of our society that seems to believe what it wants to while the country is falling apart; I’m ashamed of the news media that put their own “spin” on the news, even if it’s complete fabrication; I’m ashamed that the Koch brothers continue to amass a vast fortune while trying to shove the John Birch Society beliefs down our throats; I’m ashamed of those who don’t even know who the Koch brothers are; I’m ashamed of the United States of America, the citizens thereof forgetting the saying: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (In case you don’t know what that is, it’s written on the Statue of Liberty.)
I’m tired of US! Can’t we find compassion in our hearts for all beings, not just the ones we agree with? I’m tired of the religious right that claims to know what is best for everyone else, while judging others so harshly.
I’m ashamed!
Sali Weiss
Bankers Hill
I can’t express how disappointed I was to read the front page article (July 2) about the protests in Murrieta. Your reporters managed to tell the story but left out one very important component: Who organized the protest? Who printed their signs? Who told them when the buses would be arriving? I don’t believe for a second that it was spontaneous.
I can make a good guess at the answer from the profile of the young man with the “Don’t Tread On Me” flag and the gentleman who wanted an “iron gate” around Mexico. It’s ironic that these people (Tea Party?) are responsible for the gridlock in Washington that prevents any sort of immigration reform that might have better addressed the issues that they’re protesting.
I hope, at least, that there is a follow-up to this article that will give the complete picture.
Richard V. Lawhead
San Diego
The front page headlines in the July 2 U-T: “Migrants turned away. Buses carrying immigrant families return to San Diego after being blocked by protesters at Border Patrol station in Murrieta.”
The inscription on the Statue of Liberty:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Donald G. Yeckel
La Jolla
Three teen boys have recently been killed in the Middle East, targets of a conflict that began before they were born. World leaders and religious groups are furious, and for good reason.
Meanwhile, on U.S. soil, children younger than these boys, are fleeing for their lives from the violence in Central America. But where is their sympathy? It is absolutely shameful and disgusting to see some of my fellow Americans in Escondido and Murrieta, refusing to allow these poor, hungry and homeless children into their communities. Their actions are deplorable, and not American in spirit or conscious. This is not the foundation on which our country was built.
No matter what some may think of our president and his policies, these are children — children seeking food, shelter and safety from violence. We must put our political agendas aside and think of these children and the sanctity of human life.
As we enjoy our great nation’s birthday this Fourth of July, and all that our nation stands for, many fellow citizens need reminding of the poem engraved on the Statue of Liberty “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Bernadine Bogdanovs-Naggs
San Diego
I recall a couple of years ago during the most recent push for “comprehensive immigration reform,” Republicans refused to sign on until border security was enhanced. Then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano went on all the talk shows to get the message out that security along the southern border is better now than it has ever been.
Now we hear that tens of thousands of children from Central America are simply walking right across the border, and turning themselves over to the nearest Border Patrol agent. Doesn’t sound too secure to me.
And now our president and vice president are making public statements urging people in Central America not to send their children north to cross the border. I think we have a responsibility to secure the border before we ask people not to simply walk across it. If we’re making it that easy to break into our country, then whose fault is that?
I don’t blame the immigrants. I blame our own government, which is too corrupt and incompetent to do anything right. Who cares how many Border Patrol agents they hired? That doesn’t mean anything to me. If there was a big enough wall along every inch of that border, you wouldn’t need so many agents to chase people all over the desert on foot.
Brett Alan Pankauski
Spring Valley
The recent invasion at our southern border is the biggest threat to our way of life and it should concern all Americans. Imagine what would happen if the current administration allowed anyone who is persecuted (in any sense of the word) in their own country, to cross the border illegally or legally and take up residency here in the U.S. How long do you think it would be before word spread to other Third World countries. How many would flock to our borders seeking the good life? Three million? Twenty Million? One billion? When does it stop? The time is now. Twelve million and counting…
Barry Basso
Lakeside
Anyone who can look at the face of that little boy and not openly weep is hard hearted indeed. (Front-page, Associated Press photo, June 29.)
I don’t have any answers to this problem, but it is very sad when little children such as he has to face the world alone.
Florence Griffis
Escondido
We are rushing to finds locations for the thousands of children who are invading our country. At the same time we are closing down shelters’ for the homeless in San Diego. While the government is seeking $2 billion to stem the flow of women and children from Central America, we cannot afford $2 million to keep our shelters open for the homeless.
It is obvious that this influx of illegal immigrants is not only related to conditions in their countries but the policies of the Obama administration of not enforcing immigration laws and having an almost open border policy.
I would also like to address those letter writers who are in favor of this madness. They say their grandparents were immigrants. While this is true for most of us here, the situation was different then. Our ancestors came here legally, were given physicals, had a sponsor or they had proof that there was a job waiting for them.
Jim Brown
Jamul
I had this thought: Why not offer citizenship to families here illegally from Mexico if they will foster the kids coming in from Central America? They speak Spanish. Low-income families qualify for all kinds of subsidies already. They would indeed be great citizens if they were to do this. They could raise the child to adulthood or foster the child until it is determined what is best for the child — returning home, reuniting with their family.
Some might be granted asylum due to conditions in their homeland. The undocumented Mexican families who would opt for fostering the kids would have to meet guidelines required by the foster care program of the state they live in.
Laurel White
Chula Vista
The Big Border Patrol agent noting the arrival of the diminutive 8-year-old from Central America (July 1, front-page photo). If one picture was worth 10,000 words, that one was. Yet, the picture begged some questions: How did he get to Texas. Where will he go? How will he get there? How will he be supported?
Not to worry. We have not the slightest doubt that the child will receive red carpet treatment every step of the way as he hooks up with the Land of the Free. He has a bright future here in America.
There was another story in the paper. The homeless shelter in San Diego is closing. Hundreds of our less-fortunate citizens are to be dumped into the streets. There was a picture of a homeless man making an attempt to groom himself. Another picture of a woman loading up her earthly possessions in a bag. These pictures too beg some questions: What will happen to them? Where will they go? How will they live? hat is there future in a society that appears to have largely discarded them? The answers are very uncertain.
One thing is for sure. The new arrivals have a much brighter future than the homeless native born. This is outrageous. This is why we so angry.
Paul B. Evans
Valley Center
The rush of noninoculated illegals crossing our border poses a health risk and a “wallet” risk. If Mexico has such a strong border enforcement policy on its southern border, how is it all these illegals can cross and hop on trains that travel the whole length of Mexico to get here? Why isn’t the Mexican government stopping those trains and ‘sanitizing’ them of the illegals?
When will this border madness come to a halt?
Lou Cumming
La Jolla
It’s nice to see in the letters to the editor that a Mission Hills resident is eager to have hundreds of undocumented children camped next to her. Does she have any idea of the dollar cost?
A single case of drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) costs $300,000 to treat and the “undocumented migrants” in places as far away as Wisconsin are bankrupting cities like Sheboygan with their rampant MDR-TB.
Then we have hepatitis C. The current and only effective treatment for that is a combination of interferon and Solvaldi or Olysio. That’s $100,000 to $168,000 per undocumented immigrant.
Lastly, there’s no way any of those countries to the south are going to agree to take these children back until they are no longer contagious or if they even have a cold.
I realize that our southern border is totally secure and that Harry Reid and his ilk are protecting us from any and all border crossers under the age of possibly 18 months who haven’t yet figured out how to walk, and then in a northerly direction.
To think that Mexico wasn’t fully complicit in this is utter fantasy. Unescorted children do not happily wander 2,000 miles without food, water, clothing and shelter.
This is a Fidel Castro style Mariel boat lift on steroids (or on MDR-TB).
Robert Beken
San Diego
I think I am as sympathetic as anyone. But who is going to feed, clothe, educate, mentor the lost children at the border over the next 20 years and who is going to have to pay for their care?
Paul Turner
La Mesa
In a letter to the editor June 29 (“Wondering about foes of shelter)” the writer suggests that those opposing the “undocumented minors shelter” may be Christians who are denying their own faith by rejecting the site for this “shelter.”
I was scratching my head wondering why someone would be so enthusiastic about having their neighborhood invaded by undocumented aliens, children or otherwise. I received my answer when I got to the end of her letter. the letter writer lives in Serra Mesa, a good 20 miles from Escondido.
The writer’s bark has lost its bite.
David Van Keuren
El Cajon
As a resident of Escondido I am disgusted at the mean-spirited circus regarding the proposal to house the undocumented children in Escondido. I attribute much of this hate to Mayor, Sam Abed.
The vitriolic anger by our “Christian” neighbors demonstrates to me how two-faced they are yet their churches are filled each Sunday singing their praises to God. I hope He’s watching.
Instead of spiting out hate for the helpless why don’t we all try to solve the situation humanely. These are human beings we’re dealing with. treat them with dignity.
Of course we have a problem. Stop hiring illegals. Report companies that do. Do your own gardening, baby-sitting, cleaning, car washing, maintaining the house. If not, pay Americans to do the dirty work. Pay American wages. Let’s see how many will rush to get employed to do these jobs.
One suggestion I would have made regarding housing these children would have been to convert the old Escondido police station into a holding center. It is in a sort of industrial area and would make use of an empty building that is costing us residents money to keep it from deteriorating. It would save the city money while making money from the rent. I’m sure there are other good solutions if only we work together.
Andy G. Pino
Escondido
I have no issue with the legal immigration of any ethnicity. No matter what country they may be from, I have the highest regard for people who respect our laws and immigrate through the proper legal process. However, we must take action to stop the flow of illegal immigrants coming into our country.
The financial effects are crippling us from being able to provide care and services for our citizens in need. My taxes should go toward providing food, shelter and health care to those who reside in our country legally, not toward the comfort of those who flout our laws and come here illegally. I know that the bleeding hearts say that the illegals come to improve their lot in life, but, I am sorry, there are ways of doing that in a legal way.
Our government is not doing its job of protecting us and our country by not stemming the illegal flow. It is time for us to stand up and demand that this administration do its constitutional duty by arresting any illegal and returning them to their country of origin.
Joe Oviatt
Escondido
As a requirement for ratification of the Constitution, states required the federal government defend the states from invasion. Therefore this immigration invasion is a federal problem. Those of us affected by the invasion should have standing to sue the federal government. This includes school and hospital districts; city, county and state governments; and individual citizens.
See Article I. Section 8 paragraph 16 of the Constitution.
“The Congress shall have the power … To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions.”
In other words, if your child is affected by an increase in school class size by 20 non-English speaking invaders, you should have standing to sue the federal government.
Dennis McAllister
La Mesa
How funny, but how sad. In U-T-TV’s online story “Migrant children heading to San Diego,” 140 illegal immigrant children are flown to San Diego to be transported to a Border Patrol station in Murrieta for “processing” and then transferred to their chosen destinations within the United States.
And in other news, more than 350 homeless people in San Diego will likely return to the streets due to the closure of the city’s two homeless shelters.
Is the irony intentional or is this just the way the government does business?
Doug Bell
Rancho Peñasquitos
As a non-Christian living in a Christian society I am interested in knowing what attitude is consistent with Jesus’ teachings regarding the opportunity to be of service to disadvantaged children from Central America?
Charles Meyer
Warner Springs
Regarding the June 25 story “Panel rejects facility,” this is typical of Escondido politics. Obviously no one there at the Planning Commission meeting did their homework or really have a working knowledge of the situation. There are two other sites in San Diego that have facilities that support this effort to house the immigrant children and none of the issues voiced at the meeting are happening at those sites.
These are children of the world. They need protection not ignorance. Now is the time for the new immigrants of this great country to speak out and people of God to support it; and last but not least, time for the City Council of Escondido to override the Planning Commission.
Howard Harvey
Escondido
I just read Ruben Navarrette’s op-ed (June 30) on what he considers Hillary’s misstep on immigration because she stated the children should be sent back. As usual, he writes to mainly fan the flames of anger in the Hispanic community and increase finger-pointing and name calling.
Let’s refocus and simplify: At issue here is an unprecedented wave of illegal immigrants, mostly children, who have crossed into the U.S. because of the false belief that (a) they will be processed and immediately released into the U.S., and (b) no label of “illegal” will be applied to them because they are children. Indeed, Mr. Navarrette seems to already have researched all 47,000 of these children and concluded that many of the children are being “pulled” by parents who already live here. Really? If those parents are legal then there should be no problem. I suspect they are NOT legal, hence, the problem.
I don’t really care what Hillary Clinton says about this issue because politicians know on which side their bread is buttered (as does Mr. Navarrette). The matter facing the American people is one of a massive wave of illegal immigrants (no matter what their ages) and what to do about it. Well, the key word here is “illegal,” a word which has mostly lost any meaning when used in conjunction with “immigrants.”
So, rather than reinvent the wheel and act out of step with Mexico and Canada, which are our two major bordering countries, why don’t we just treat the illegal immigrants the same way they do? Mexico, for example, expels illegal immigrants faster than you can say “boo.” If all three countries have similar laws on illegal immigrants then you wouldn’t have these “waves” of illegal immigrants.
Catherine Jacobson
La Mesa
I just watched the news and listened to the commentary from the Border Angels about the right thing to do, but the group did not say it would cover any costs? Put the children in an orphanage? Find them parents, feed and give the children what they deserve.
I also heard on the news that the cost to fly each plane from Texas was $70,000 per plane coming to San Diego.
What a great strategy to flood the border, overwhelm the bleeding hearts club. I am taken back because I love children too, but my children come first. I also read in the paper that a lot of the immigrants who have had such a hard life are prone to start violent street gangs. That sounds like a strong possibility, almost a no brainer. After learning on the show Street Gangs that gang bangers were recruited from San Diego (Shelltown) to support gang banging in Tijuana, anything is possible. When I was a troubled youth, my parents did not send me to Russia.
I have been to Central America many times, and you know why the illegals do not go to Costa Rica? Because the country will not take them.
Enough, I cannot pay for any more free lunches, extended unemployment benefits or the disability program for people who consider it a second job. Vote Libertarian.
John Smith
Encinitas
What on earth is wrong with the Border Patrol. Since 9/11 and before, Congress has provided endless funding for the Border Patrol. The patrol has spent this money lavishly on airplanes, drones, helicopters, and thousands of every imaginable mode of ground transportation. The staffing is ridiculous, and still the children come into the U.S. apparently unimpeded. Our very expensively protected border is so pores that children walk across.
Rep. Duncan Hunter led the charge to secure our borders. He, a border native understood the problems of what could cross the border. Some of us disagreed with his solution as too expensive, but we all agreed with his concern.
John J. Ireland
Imperial Beach
