Opinion | Rational Approaches to Immigration


To the Editor:

Re “On Immigration, Biden Ought to Out-Trump Trump,” by Thomas L. Friedman (column, Might 17):

Three cheers for Mr. Friedman’s lucid dialogue of the murky matter of immigration. His evaluation is per the next propositions, which I think about to be self-evident:

1) We now have the appropriate to manage who enters our nation, and our political leaders have a duty to make sure border safety.

2) We now have an ethical duty to be as beneficiant as we will in welcoming folks from all over the world who come to us due to insupportable circumstances the place they reside.

3) The variety of folks in such insupportable circumstances vastly exceeds our means to soak up all of them.

4) Due to this, we have to put limits on the variety of needy folks we settle for into our nation.

5) The boundaries we place ought to strike an inexpensive stability between our self-interest and our compassion for many who are struggling.

James P. Robinson
Seattle

To the Editor:

Re “Who Will get In? A Information to America’s Chaotic Border Guidelines” (information article, Might 17):

The top of Title 42 and the brand new asylum restrictions create a second-class standing within the U.S.

Though the Biden administration provides a “humanitarian parole” choice for asylum seekers from choose international locations, that’s merely permission to work for 2 years, with no pathway to everlasting authorized standing. Like DACA, it creates indefinite uncertainty.

For many years, American values have been centered round household and group. We should redefine the aim of our immigration system to strengthen our communities consistent with these core rules.

As an immigration lawyer and a senior program director at Capital Space Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition, I’ve labored with over a thousand immigrants susceptible to deportation. Primarily based on our information, for each grownup in detention, there are 1.5 youngsters separated from their mother and father.

These are horrifying charges of household separation. However there are answers, such because the Equity to Freedom Act of 2023, which might set up the common proper to authorized illustration for these going through deportation.

Legal professionals usually are not the whole reply. Lawmakers should legislate equity and household unity in our globalized world.

Kelly White
Washington

To the Editor:

Re “How Biden Blew It on the Debt Ceiling,” by Paul Krugman (publication, Might 16):

With respect to Mr. Krugman’s hand-wringing about President Biden “negotiating” over the debt restrict, worry not. All of the blame for the results of default will go to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his caucus. Mr. Biden is aware of this, so why not deny them the power to later argue that he refused to speak?

Mr. Biden’s solely two decisions have been to unilaterally jettison the debt restrict — by minting a coin, invoking the 14th Modification, or no matter (which doubtless would have given our craven Supreme Courtroom the ultimate say) — or to observe the Republicans both cave on the final minute or face the political penalties of their harmful path.

If Mr. Biden provides Mr. McCarthy an opportunity to avoid wasting face, all the higher politically for the president and for the financial system. That’s why we elected him.

Pete Kopsco
East Montpelier, Vt.

To the Editor:

“Republicans Need to Use the Debt Ceiling to Inflict Cruelty on the Poor,” by David Firestone (Opinion, Might 18), clearly outlined the historical past and information concerning present and proposed work necessities for support applications.

We should always not ignore a primary reality: If folks, whether or not working half time or in any other case, have been paid an precise residing wage, then the necessity for companies comparable to Medicaid, meals stamps and welfare could be drastically curtailed.

A strong residing wage would scale back the dependence on the federal government that Republicans so resolutely condemn. And it could encourage employees to hunt employment, one other Republican speaking level. If Republicans supported that initiative, they’d reach serving to the needy minimize the apron strings of presidency dependency they abhor and put extra folks again to work.

So, why don’t Republicans advocate for one thing that helps clear up the issues they regularly rail in opposition to?

Michael Stout
Washington

To the Editor:

Re “Ailing Senator Additionally Sustained Mind Swelling” (entrance web page, Might 19), about Dianne Feinstein, who’s 89:

One of many nasty issues that occurs if you get actually outdated is that denial replaces frequent sense.

What this a lot admired senator wants is a robust voice to influence her it’s time to stop. Her fellow Democrats could be doing her a helpful service if, as a physique, they persuaded her to surrender her battle.

It’s heartbreaking to see her this manner.

Anne Bernays
Cambridge, Mass.

To the Editor:

Re “‘Famous person’ Cities Lose Luster as Educated Employees Tire of Prices” (The Upshot, Might 15):

The drain of educated employees from obscenely costly cities like New York and San Francisco will remodel the extra conservative states they transfer to. I’ve seen it occur.

My husband and I left Lengthy Island 35 years in the past for Georgia’s job market. We purchased a home in Decatur — which was like a ghost city — for $95,000. Since then, an inflow of educated younger professionals with meager graduate scholar financial savings have turned Decatur right into a vigorous, beautiful metropolis.

These often-liberal immigrants helped remodel deep-red Georgia in 2020-21, electing Joe Biden and two Democratic senators, flipping the Senate.

The drain of younger, educated, usually progressive employees from unaffordable cities might assist the nation as an entire, as they transfer to cheaper, ultraconservative areas, steadily altering the political panorama. In any case, they’ve brought about a increase in espresso outlets and eating places.

It’s a alternative between residing in cramped, degrading circumstances, or having fun with good housing and having the ability to afford to have youngsters. That’s a no brainer.

Karla Jennings
Decatur, Ga.

To the Editor:

Re “In Battle, Actual Heroes Keep Behind,” by Farah Stockman (Opinion, Might 15):

I thank Ms. Stockman for honoring the courageous Sudanese medical doctors who’ve stayed — for some, at the price of their lives — to assist their fellow residents caught within the crossfire.

The media’s deal with the evacuation of diplomats and different foreigners from Sudan within the days after the preventing erupted did a disservice to all those that have stayed and are main group efforts within the midst of battle. This contains the help employees who face day by day dangers in finishing up their work.

Certainly one of our Mercy Corps venture officers in Qadarif, named Ghalia, advised me, “Regardless of an absence of money, the excessive value of primary gadgets, my fears of shedding my household in Khartoum throughout this disaster, and difficulties in reaching the folks we help, we’re doing our greatest to maintain our tasks working.”

Many Sudanese support employees, like Ghalia, consider that there’s hope for a greater Sudan. We can’t allow them to down.

Sibongani Kayola
Port Sudan
The author is nation director for Sudan for Mercy Corps.