Dustin Good
June 24, 2005

John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C. 20515

Dear John Warner,

I am a rising junior at Eastern Mennonite High School , and I am on a month-long trip with a group from school that is traveling across the Southwest and exploring various issues.  Immigration is one topic that we have studied, and we have spoken to various people about the issue, including Enrique Morones of Border Angels and Andy Romirez of the U.S. Border Patrol.  I have learned that very high numbers of people attempt to illegally cross the border from Mexico into the U.S.   In fact, in 2004, 500,000 illegal immigrants were caught trying to cross, and it is estimated that that was only 1 out of 8 people who tried to cross, making the number of people who weren’t picked up about 3.5 million.  Even as we were leaving the interview with Andy and Enrique, we saw Border Patrol agents who had just detained a small group of people.  Not only is their crossing unlawful, but it is very dangerous.  Most of them try to cross through the desert, and a lot of them die from dehydration and exhaustion.  Many hire “coyotes” as guides to smuggle them in, and some coyotes may abandon them in the desert. 

The sad thing is that many of the immigrants have a good idea of the great risks involved and decide to try anyway because they are not able to support their families in Mexico .  Immigrants try to cross illegally because the process for legal entry can take years; some people have waited over 20 years for permission to enter the U.S., and most people are not able to wait that long.  I believe that if the quota for legal entry were increased, and if immigrants did not have to wait for such a long time for admittance, the number of people entering the U.S. illegally would diminish significantly.

To address the issue of the vast number of illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S. , I believe the Kennedy-McCain bill is a step in the right direction.  To catch and deport the millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. is not only infeasible, but also ineffective.  Deportees are dropped off right at the border, and more than likely, they will just cross right back over.  I urge the passage of this bill, because it punishes them for entering illegally, but also gives them the chance to establish their presence as legal residents.  I think that many people would apply for legalization rather than live in fear of being deported and live without the benefits of being legal, and this would help reduce the number of people who are undocumented.  Many immigrants are willing to work at jobs that many Americans don’t want, and for very low wages.  This helps the economy by keeping prices lower than if other people held these jobs, because they would want higher pay.

Sincerely,

Dustin Good

Jenny Blosser
June 24, 2005

Senator John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C.
20515

  Dear Senator Warner,

I am a junior at Eastern Mennonite High School .  This summer, I took part in a month long educational trip to the American Southwest, learning about the sustainability of resources and relationships.  We discussed many issues that the U.S. is faced with, one of them being immigration in this country.  I soon realized how much of a problem immigration from Mexico to the U.S. has become, and I am concerned with how the border issues are being handled. 

Right now, I believe our quota of immigrants allowed to enter legally into the U.S. is extremely low.  This could be why so many migrants come illegally.  As the border is tightened more and more, the number of undocumented persons coming continues to increase because of the demand to enter this country.  Mexico ’s economy has been in a very low slump, and many people are suffering from poverty and malnutrition.  While visiting Mexico , we walked through a ‘middle class’ neighborhood.  However, the dirt roads, small concrete houses, and sheets of metal as a roof would be among the very poor living standards of the U.S.   Jobs are very scarce and food is extremely expensive.  There is no wonder so many people come into our flourishing and wealthy country each year, legally and illegally.        

To reduce the amount of illegal immigrants that enter our country, I believe we must be more liberal with our visas and with our quota of migrants allowed to come in each year.  The U.S. should help Mexico improve their economy by helping Mexico develop.  We can help Mexico by helping them create more jobs, which would lower the costs of food and increasing the standards of daily living.  Mexicans will remain optimistic and remain in their country.  If we don’t work together with the Mexican government, illegal immigration will only grow and become a larger problem.  The Kennedy-McCain bill should be passed.  This will help all of the illegal immigrants who have come for economic opportunity to become citizens and receive benefits.  This bill could be a stepping stool for other bills to come that would help immigrants enter the U.S. legally.   

I hope that in the near future the quota of immigrants entering this country grows, and that the Kennedy-McCain bill is passed.  I understand that we cannot just allow any random immigrant to enter the U.S. because of security reasons. However, by allowing more people to enter through more secure borders, we create a win-win situation.  Illegal immigration is a problem that needs to be addressed.  I hope that the right measures will be taken to care for this issue.

Sincerely,

Jenny Blosser

Josh Tyson
24 June 2005

George Allen
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , DC 20515

Dear Sir:

I am a rising college freshman concerned with the issue of immigration at the Mexico-U.S. border.  There are many problems with immigration from Mexico .  Mexicans wishing to become legal, permanent citizens of the U.S. have a waiting period of several years. 

Because of walls built at the southern border of California and in some major cities in Arizona , migrants are forced to try to cross the U.S. border in the Arizona desert.  Many migrants face obstacles of heat, dehydration, or muggers.  Those who do overcome these obstacles must also evade border patrol.  About 10% of migrants coming into the U.S. succeed in finding work.

Immigrants work in jobs that require hard labor and provide little pay, sometimes less than minimum wage, such as picking fruit in an orchard.  I know of very few of my peers that are willing to work in such positions.  These workers are a valuable part of our economy, especially in agriculture. 

However, these workers often face problems with U.S. legislation.  I am aware that there currently is a bill in the Senate dealing with Mexican immigration, the McCain-Kennedy bill.  As a concerned voter, I urge you to vote in favor of this bill.  This bill would allow more ease for migrants in finding work.  Please vote in support of the McCain-Kennedy bill.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Joshua Tyson

Monika Burkholder
June 24, 2005

John Warner
U.S. Capital Building
Washington , D.C. 20515

Dear John Warner,

            I am writing you concerning the issue of immigration from Mexico .  Action is needed, something humane and compassionate to our brothers and sisters, yet something that considers the best for both the United States and Mexico .

The summer of 2005 I spent a month exploring the South West, a trip that took me to the border at Nogales , Arizona and Nogales , Sonora .  I had the chance to go with Borderlinks and experience how the Mexicans live at the border from touring a maquiladora, looking at prices in a supermarket, and visiting and eating with Mexican families.  Previously on my trip I met with Enrique Morones, president of Border Angels, and Andy Ramirez, chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, to hear their separate opinions and ask them questions.  From these experiences I have formed some opinions; the issue of immigration is eminent and must be addressed, and we must address the issues with concern for both the United States and Mexico .

Mexicans are coming to the United States for basically one reason: economic opportunity.  Andy Ramirez, who is for tightening borders, says even his own ancestors migrated from Mexico because they felt they didn’t have any opportunities in their home country.  In the maquiladoras, foreign owned factories, the average worker gets ten dollars a day.  We found that the prices in the supermarket were not proportionate to the amount they make.  Families are not able to feed their families and some even fill bottles for their children with Coke. Many Mexicans are so desperate to make ends meet for their family that they are forced to migrate to the U.S.

Herein lies the problem.  There are too many Mexicans wanting to migrate to find money than our country allows through the borders.  Most would rather stay in Mexico than migrate to the United States of America , but they have to provide a living for their family.  Because their hunger and living is an immediate need, they cannot wait to go through the process of acquiring a Visa, a process that can last for 10-15 years.  Many of these Mexicans choose to risk coming into the United States illegally in order to find money for their family.

There is yet one more issue that is affecting the United States , the illegal immigrants already in the United States .  What should be done with them?  It is a fairly accepted fact that there are many illegal immigrants inside the United States .  Many U.S. citizens complain about them crowding schools, not adapting to the culture, and not paying taxes.  The fact is, while some of that may be true, the Mexicans help out our culture enormously.  The Mexicans who find jobs with fake ID’s and papers pay taxes to the government for services like Social Security that they will never get back.  We also know that these Mexicans are willing to take jobs that many Americans are not willing to take.  They work on farms for under minimum wage pay, they work in hotels, and living in Virginia , we are very much aware that they take the undesirable jobs in poultry plants.  Why do we complain when we do not pay them fairly for the hard, manual, and undesirable jobs they willingly take?  It does not make sense for our economy or for the Mexicans here to send them back to their home country.  Another option would be to ignore them, yet that would be dismissing the issue, only making it worse.  The third would be to give these illegal immigrants general amnesty.

There is not one solution to this massive wave of immigration, but a web of actions is needed.  First we need to control the border.  Second we need to work with Mexico to reform their economy, and thirdly we need to do something to help the illegal immigrants already in the United States .  To control the border we need to raise the quota of immigrants allowed in the U.S. per year, and then tighten down on the borders using Border Patrol, not minutemen or vigilantes.  The United States needs to work with Mexico to help reform their economy.  They should support leaders who are for economic change.  I think the Kennedy, McCain bill should be passed. I think it is a good way to help the illegal immigrants in the U.S. and to jump start action with immigration. 

Sincerely

Monika Burkholder

Ms. Caroline Clymer
June 24, 2005

John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C.   20515

Dear Sir:

I am a rising junior at EMHS in Harrisonburg , Virginia .  I recently took a month long educational trip across the American Southwest, studying the sustainability of resources, relationships and issues concerning the Mexican/American border.  Enrique Morones and Andy Ramirez spoke with us, expressing differing opinions as to what should be done about illegal immigration, but sharing the stance that some action must be taken.  Our group also spent some time in Mexico with the BorderLinks program, learning from additional viewpoints.  While in Mexico , we talked with a few organizations that deal with the border, were hosted for lunch by Mexican families, and discussed the challenges they face.

As any American would be, I am concerned about our national security, and I understand that opening the borders does pose a threat to us.  I am not suggesting that we naively open the borders to drug smugglers and undocumented workers, but hope to bring to your attention that of which you are already aware: that something needs to be done.  There are people so desperate to feed their families that they would risk death in the desert attempting to illegally enter the United States .

If we had a higher quota and less expense and hassle involved in the legal immigration processes, we could allow more legitimate immigrants into the United States .  Higher security along the border is essential, but through barriers, checkpoints, and government authorities, not by minutemen and vigilantes.  More government funding is necessary in order to train additional Border patrol personnel.

Organizations like Grupo Beta and Border Angels also need to be funded.  While I do not condone illegal immigration, I firmly believe in the sanctity of human life, regardless of nationality.  The best thing we could do for the illegal aliens would be to provide the m with less expensive and time consuming ways to legally enter our country.  For those that still refuse to enter legally, give them what they need in order to survive the hike through the desert to our border, and then send them back to Mexico .  Let them hike back and forth to their hearts content, so long as we can turn them back time after time, and they do not die in their attempts.  We owe them at least the right to life, if not liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Sincerely,

Ms. Caroline Clymer

Kristin Bell
June 24, 2005

John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C. 20515

Dear John Warner,

             I am a rising high school senior in Harrisonburg , Virginia .  This summer I’ve been on a month long educational trip with my school.  We are traveling all over the Southwest United States learning about different issues in that area.

             One of our main topics is Border Issues.   The past three days we’ve been studying this topic and we spent a day in Mexico .  I know in that short time period I didn’t learn everything about that area, but in that amount of time one can learn so much.  For instance, a 2 liter bottle of Coca-Cola costs 13 Pesos in Mexico .  Here in the U.S. , at minimum wage, that would be like paying $6.04.  A 40 pack of disposable diapers would cost $48.00 here in the U.S.   I actually went into a Mexican market and calculated these numbers, and I found it quite surprising.  My group met Enrique Morones, founder and president of Border Angels, and Andy Ramirez from Friends of the Border Patrol.  For the first time in person, these two met to debate the issue for us.  We saw the wall from both the United States ’ side and the Mexican side.  When we were in Borderland State Park we watched as some undocumented/illegal immigrants were being caught by the Border Patrol.

              All of these experiences have shaped my opinion on this topic.  At this point I think that the U.S. should work with its immigration policies.  There are thousands of Mexicans that cross the border every year, but I think we could build relationships with many of them, therefore helping them once they come here to the U.S.   In that way we would be helping the U.S. culturally, but also somewhat keeping an eye on what is going on with our new citizens.

              Otherwise, I think the U.S. should find a way to help out the Mexican economy so that it will improve.  I talked to many people while I was in Mexico , and most told me directly that they would stay in Mexico , their home, if they could.  However, for most, coming to the U.S. is their only choice, and if they can’t get their visa they’ll try to cross “illegally.”  If they fail they will keep trying because it is their only option.  They would rather die trying to help their families, than watch their families die from starvation.

            As for the evident problem at the border, I think the Border Patrol, and Border Angels should find a way to cooperate, and merge together as one.  Overall, I think that would make less tension in the whole situation, both for the immigrants coming here and for the people working at the border.  Morones told us a story that he tries to live out.  “A man and his son were walking along a beach that was covered in starfish.  As they walked, the son tried to pick up as many starfish as he could and put them back in the ocean.  The father asked, ‘Son, what are you doing?’  ‘I’m trying to put all the starfish into the water where they want to be and where they belong,’ the son answered.  ‘But there are so many that you are hardly making a difference.’  The son looked down at the starfish in his hand and said, ‘It’ll make a difference to this one.’” 

            Ramirez suggested we write our Senators, and I have followed through.  I see many other problems in this world but this specific one has come to my attention, and Mexico is our neighbor.  Why not start there?  That border is completely unique, it’s the only place where a third world country is continuous to a first world country.  I thank you for reading my letter, and I encourage you to spend some time in the Southwest; it’s beautiful in its own way and can be very educational.  I leave you with the job of making a difference in the places that you can.  Please keep in mind the poor and starving people who are so desperately trying to take care of their families.  The quote at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty says:  “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”  If we can’t live up to that maybe we should remove the quote.  Thank you again for your time.

Sincerely,

Kristin Bell

Nathan Derstine
June 24, 2005

Senator John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C. 20515

Dear Senator John Warner,

I am a high school senior from Harrisonburg , VA.   I recently participated in a month long educational trip with my high school that studied the sustainability of resources and relationships in the Southwest United States .  On this trip one of the main issues was immigration.  We went to the border near San Diego and met with two people, Andy Ramirez of Friends of the Border Patrol and Enrique Moronez of Border Angels, to see to different points of view on the issue.  In listening to them I became aware of the McCain-Kennedy Bill, which I see as a place to start in seeking to deal with the current immigration problem in the United States .  I would like you to vote in favor of this Bill not because it is the perfect solution, but because it is the best step forward at this time. 

The U.S. has two basic options in dealing with the problem.  We can try and catch all the current illegal immigrants and deport them, which hasn’t worked so far, and isn’t going to work any better in the future.  Even if we did succeed in deporting all the illegal immigrants in the country, we would have an economic crisis because of the sudden loss of cheap labor that the U.S. depends upon. We would also need to tighten the border and cut down on the number of illegal migrants coming in the first place.   

The second way would be to reform the current process of allowing legal immigrants into the country to make it more efficient.  We then could raise the quota of legal immigrants drastically, while continuing to tighten the borders.  This wouldn’t raise the number of people that actually come into the country; instead it would just make more of them legal.  Another part to this second option would be granting amnesty to undocumented migrants presently in the country and helping them to become documented.  This would benefit the U.S. for security reasons.  It’s obviously easier to track someone or at least hold them accountable for any committed crime if they are documented. 

In my opinion, immigration is not the problem, illegal immigration is the problem.  The migrants that come illegally work ridiculously long hours for low pay, and although the pay is better than what they received in their countries of origin, it is disgraceful these people are treated the way they are.  This can only happen because they are undocumented.

 To me, the second option I described is the most humane and effective answer to the immigration problem in the U.S.   Although the McCain Kennedy Bill only offers to do a small amount of that, it’s a step in the right direction.  

Sincerely,

Nathan Trost Derstine

Risa Heatwole
June 24, 2005

Senator John Warner
U.S. Capitol Building
Washington , D.C.   20515

Dear Senator Warner,

            My name is Risa Heatwole and I am a rising junior at Eastern Mennonite High School .  This summer I went on a trip with my school to explore the American southwest.  We studied many issues along the way including immigration from Mexico .  We listened to speakers from Friends of the Border Patrol, Border Angels, and Groupo Beta in Mexico .  Our itinerary took us into Nogales , Mexico where we spent the day in a middle class neighborhood.  Reflecting on what I heard and saw on this trip, I decided to write you concerning a few of my thoughts. 

            The majority of Mexicans entering the United States illegally come for economic reasons.  With earnings of 10 dollars a day they can not afford to stay where they are.   I believe that if the United States would work with Mexico to reform Mexico ’s economy both nations will benefit.  When anyone enters our borders illegally problems arise for both the U.S. and the immigrants.

            In my opinion, if we enlarge the quota of immigrants that can enter the United States legally, fewer will try to enter illegally.  Although I think we should let more Mexicans in legally, I also think we need to tighten the borders and make illegal entry more difficult.  I realize that while many come for economic reasons, others are involved in crimes such as drug trafficking.  The Border Patrol plays a crucial role in enforcing the border laws and they should be supported.

            I believe the Kennedy-McCain bill would benefit our country.  I realize the bill is not perfect but it is a step in the right direction.  If current undocumented immigrants were able to be documented the country would be enabled to keep better track of current residents and taxes that were not being paid will then be paid.  Immigrants will receive a fuller taste of American freedom and the meaning of life in a land of opportunity.

Sincerely,

Risa Heatwole