- April 25, 2024
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Dear Editor:
Your story of the southern border crossings and the guest editorial by Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley may present an image of drug smuggling and lawlessness to some, but the picture that lies beneath the surface to them is actually one of a terrible natural disaster and humanitarian crisis of epic proportions we all should be aware of.
The young mother walking one thousand miles with a baby in her arms and one by her side is not a drug smuggler. She didn’t take this extremely dangerous path for fun. She comes here to have a better life. Remember the old song, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes”? Who here in fat and lazy America could do that?
Central America is experiencing the same decades-long drought as the American West — only they do not have any water supply system such as ours for drinking and irrigating crops. Instead of arresting them, we should be welcoming them to help us go forward doing the jobs we don’t want to do that they will gladly take, and for pennies in pay, too.
We have had a history of giving that opportunity to all that come to our door.
America used to be a compassionate and benevolent nation. We seem a little mean and grumpy now. What happened?
Jeffery C. Seib
Palm Coast
Editor's Note: The following comment was posted on Sheriff Rick Staly’s My View last week, under the headline “Failed immigration policy creates dangers at the border — and throughout the US":
The vast majority of those crossing our borders are looking for a better life for themselves and their families. They are not bad people, just hopeful and desperate. As long as there are jobs and opportunities on this side of the border, they will keep coming. Here's the simple solution: Prosecute those who employ people who cross the border illegally. This must include large American companies (many of whom disguise illegal employment by using sub contractors), the well-off who hire immigrants off the books as nannies, gardeners, maids and cooks, and construction companies and their sub contractors. This will dramatically stem the flow of illegal border crossings and will allow us to redirect precious immigration enforcement resources to deter, capture and prosecute the remaining people who cross the border illegally looking to conduct criminal activities.
— Chris Romaine
