Athens Banner Herald
January 24, 2009
Letters

Inger Eberhart: Illegal aliens should leave U.S.

In 1995, Barbara Jordan, the first black woman elected to Congress from the Deep South, was chairing the Commission on Immigration Reform. At that time, she said “it is both a right and responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest.”

Perpetuating the crime of illegal immigration does not serve the national interest. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has recently and quietly introduced an amnesty bill in Congress that is against the best interests of our nation.

In 1986, a “one-time amnesty” was provided to almost 3 million illegal aliens in our country. Since that time, more than 20 million illegal aliens have entered the United States. Clearly, amnesty rewards illegal behavior, encourages increased illegal immigration and leaves our borders unchecked.

For the American Civil Liberties Union, the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and similar groups, the goal is open borders. These well-funded un-American far-left groups do everything they can to oppose enforcement of our immigration and employment laws. The result is more layoffs for American workers and lower wages.

Illegal aliens do the jobs that Americans always had done before wages were artificially – and illegally – depressed.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, illegal aliens consume three times the amount of social services as they contribute in taxes. Illegal immigration is draining our economy and straining resources.

As an black conservative, I agree with Jordan’s further statement on immigration policy: “Those who should get in, get in; those who should be kept out, are kept out; and those who should not be here will be required to leave … Deportation is crucial.”

Illegal aliens must leave.

Inger Eberhart – Acworth

• Inger Eberhart serves on the board of the Georgia-based Dustin Inman Society, which is opposed to illegal immigration and illegal employment.

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, January 24, 2009