How to stem the tide of illegal immigration

Re “Senate Toughens Border Stand, Approves Miles of New Fence,” May 18

“Good fences make good neighbors; fences don’t make bad neighbors,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). Wow, I didn’t realize the Berlin Wall was really a Soviet attempt at being a good neighbor. Fences fail; they always do. Name a single wall or fence that wasn’t breached or circumvented. Dozens of tunnels have already been found under the current U.S. border fences. Fences are a waste of time and resources.

SEAN HAND

Los Angeles

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It is marginally gratifying to observe our state and national leadership talking individually about the immigration problem, even if they obviously do not agree on all elements of the plan moving forward. What I would dearly love to see, and I think the country should demand, is to get presidents Bush and Fox and the congressional leadership together in one room. We should bar the doors and windows and insist that no one leave until a comprehensive solution is forthcoming. How can we intelligently move forward before all of our responsible elected officials are on the same page?

DOUG TENNANT

Dana Point

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The incentive to cross the border is monetary, making this an economic issue, not a military one. A more logical approach would be to attack the problem of illegal immigration on an economic front by more rigorously pursuing and punishing the employers that hire illegals regularly. They are the real creators of this “flood” because they want a cheap, easily exploitable workforce filled with employees afraid to report labor law violations for fear of deportation. Of course, it’s easier for Bush to risk being perceived as anti-Mexican than it is for him to risk being perceived as anti-business.

LINDA WILLIAMSON

Granada Hills

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Agree or disagree with him, one thing is certain: President Bush has done more to stop the influx of illegal immigrants to the U.S. than any other president.

BOBBI LEIGH ZITO

Porter Ranch