Letters to the Editor: July 10, 2022
Last week we posed the question, how can we change U.S. border policies to prevent the deaths of migrants smuggled across the U.S. border? These were your responses:
Gov. Abbott misses the point on migrant deaths
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott placed the blame on the Biden administration's immigration policies.
"These deaths are on Biden," Abbott tweeted. "They are a result of his deadly open border policies. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law."
So my question to our sub-par governor is that if there's an open border policy, why were they sneaking into the country inside a truck that eventually killed them? Doesn't an open border policy mean they can walkin without having to pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars to be "snuck in" by coyotes that don't care if those folks live or die.
At what point do you realize that you are morally bankrupt? Or does all your money and desire for power prevent that understanding?
Kelly McQuerns, Pflugerville
We need a more proactive approach to human smuggling
Human trafficking is run by ruthless individuals with no regard for life or paid promises. These migrants are duped into promises only to die in coffins known as tractor trailers. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation need to coordinate and implement a policy that:
∙ Sets an annual budget for a campaign of public announcements in various countries on the dangers of human smuggling with statistics and photos of the dead in trailers, and crossing the Rio Grande and Arizona desert.
∙ Updates penalties for human smuggling to life imprisonment with significant fines.
∙ Requires all trailers to have openings on the sides and roof to be opened from the inside similar to buses.
∙ Authorizes DHS and law personnel to drill holes into trailers to check cargoes.
∙ Is implemented by Nov. 1, 2022. Congress and agencies need to take action and not be passive.
Paul Garza, Austin
Hardline immigration policies hurt migrants, U.S. economy
On June 27 we learned of the death of 53 men and women trying to start a new life in this country. These 53 individuals died in a trailer in heat that exceeded 100 degrees.
With few exceptions we are all descendants of immigrants, yet we force new immigrants to face death trying to enter the U.S. These “illegal immigrants” can supplement our own workforce doing the jobs most Americans just do not want, such as picking crops, washing dishes, working in processing plants, etc. Many of our current obstacles to economic recovery are related to shortages in basic labor.
Labor shortages lead to reduced production, higher inflation and slower economic growth. It's time to get smart and develop a fair immigration policy that allows workers to work in this country without facing death in the back of a trailer.
Rick Covington, Cedar Park
Gov. Abbott's blame game is getting old
Here we go again. Gov. Abbott, just like Trump and most Republicans, sure knows how to play the blame game.
Isn't Abbott the one who has amassed thousands of Texas National Guard troops on our Texas border to protect our border? Why then is he blaming Biden? When is he ever going to accept responsibility for his actions?
It's time to vote him out because we're sick and tired of his blame game.
Ezekiel Enriquez Sr., San Marcos
U.S. should assume some responsibility for immigrant hardships
Texas should welcome immigrants, acknowledging the United States' role in destabilizing their home countries and recognizing the ongoing benefit that immigrants bring to communities where they live and work in this country.
Look around: The essential work that continues to build, operate and maintain U.S. cities, towns and farms is largely immigrant labor.
Resources that have been wasted on hardening the border should be used instead on supplying enough immigration staff to expeditiously process asylum claims, allowing migrants to live in the U.S. with family members without fear of deportation, imprisonment or trafficking.
Gov. Abbott’s cruel border tactics have led directly to the deaths of migrants who only had the best intentions and should have been welcomed instead of forced into great risk that costs their lives.
Susan Van Haitsma, Austin
Supreme Court decision will help migrants, economy
The recently affirmed ability of the Biden administration to end the "Remain in Mexico" policy is an important step in addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border. Paired with increased funding to process the migrants who are seeking asylum, we can provide solutions and address current labor shortages.
Mary Closmann Kahle, Austin
Migrant workers can fill open jobs in many industries
It is time for Texas and the rest of the country to rethink the situation of many migrants who want to enter the U.S.
It would be interesting to find out their skills. We have a shortage of labor in this country: housekeepers, child and elderly care, landscapers, restaurant and retail workers, etc. These people could be given green cards and offered employment. This would be a win-win situation.
Clearly people living here already are not interested in these jobs.
Michele W. Missner, Austin
Editor’s note: Some readers weighed in on other topics this week. Here are some of their letters.
Cornyn deserves cheers for work on gun deal
Sen. John Cornyn should have received applause at the GOP convention not boos.
Ironically, the GOP is working adamantly to promote legislation for the “right to life” but will not support good gun control legislation (with only a few exceptions) to make our country safer for those infants saved.
There is a saying, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.” Fortunately, we have one good Republican senator who is not controlled by the National Rifle Association, or fearful of losing GOP votes, drafting much-needed bipartisan gun control legislation.
Alice Stephens, Georgetown
Cowardly politicians are failing our country
The raw truth?We can ban abortions, but we cannot ban assault weapons.There is something wrong with us. Denying that, or papering over it with patriotic bravado or nonsensical vitriol about "my rights" is not going to help. The fact is, we are in trouble. And the dissembling cowardice exhibited by many of our leaders only puts us in a deeper hole. From here on, people need to vote with a clear head and the realization that "We the people" are going to have to fix this ourselves.
Patricia Crume, Austin
Court decision an affront to separation of church and state
The Supreme Court on June 27 said a coach can pray before a game at a public high school. This is freedom of speech.
What if he's a Christian and most of the players are Christian and they join him, but a few players are Jewish or another religion, or atheist, and stand aside? What will the majority of their teammates think? What will the coach think?
Does anyone remember "separation of church and state?" I don't think so.
Why couldn't this coach, who lost his job because of the on-field prayer, have prayed before the game at home? Would God have cared or not listened?
The coach won the SCOTUS game, 6-3, but I think God is on everybody's side.
Art Dlugach, Meadowlakes
Supreme Court's EPA ruling threatens all of us
Re: July 4 article, "Texas climate scientist decries Supreme Court’s ruling on EPA."
Tucked into page 4B on July 4 was an extremely important article. It described world-renowned climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe's concerns over the Supreme Court ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot regulate power plant emissions. In other words, this conservative court took steps to prevent our government from responding to an existential crisis that is not going away.
Now, if you are wondering why ascientist from Lubbock deserved facetime on MSNBC, you just need to read her book " Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World." This is an incredible work which describes how each of us — liberal, conservative and uninterested — must come together to fight climate change.
While other recent controversial and damaging rulings by SCOTUS garnered most of the attention of the nation, the EPA ruling was perhaps the most damaging to our lives and the lives of our children. So, read the book. Then vote!
Tom Hokanson, Austin
Jan. 6 reminds us that democracy requires vigilance
Re: July 3 editorial, "This July Fourth, the lessons of Jan. 6 loom large."
On Jan. 6, 2021, America came perilously close to a coup d'état over the Big Lie.
However, regarding elections, there are two other infamous dates worth mentioning.
On Dec. 20, 1860, first South Carolina, and eventually 10 other states, including Texas, voted to secede from the United States rather than accept Abraham Lincoln's presidential election victory. And had the South prevailed, July 4 might be a holiday without a nation.
On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act which opened the floodgates for GOP-led states to double down on gerrymandering and voter suppression as means of limiting the votes of folks who either vote or lean Democratic.
Complacency after Jan. 6 cannot an option, as anti-democratic forces are still actively at work.
Stephen Shackelford, Austin
A sad July Fourth should serve as wakeup call
This was an unusually sad Fourth of July. On a day routinely designated to celebrate how our forefathers declared independence, choosing democracy over monarchy, we are living a national nightmare.
The U.S. Supreme Court has taken away the right of women to choose, vacating the well-accepted doctrine of “precedent” governing legal decision making. In addition, we continue to experience and suffer from the residual but significant consequences of the Trump presidency: government institutions are not viewed as legitimate; the concepts of truth, rationality and civility no longer guide political discourse; and public officials repeatedly escape accountability for their words and deeds. Bluntly stated, we are losing our democracy and the “great experiment” is in serious jeopardy.
My wish is that we recall the true significance of July 4. In that spirit, I hope American citizens come to their senses, preventing the demise of our democratic republic. Time is running out.
Richard Cherwitz, Austin
Editor’s note
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday announced that state authorities would begin detaining unauthorized immigrants and returning them to the Mexican border. We invite readers to share their thoughts on the governor's action and how Texas should manage the challenge of illegal immigration. Send letters of no more than 150 words to letters@statesman.com by noon Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: July 10, 2022
