Land of immigrants

NEW YORK: Opponents of President Obama’s recent action on immigration—as well as of any kind of legalization policy for undocumented workers — often argue that these initiatives are not fair to America’s legal immigrants. These people, it is said, played by the rules, followed the law, paid their taxes and are horrified to see people who did the opposite rewarded. I’m sure there are some legal immigrants who feel this way, but not many. A poll released this week shows that 89 percent of Hispanic registered voters approve of Obama’s action.

Why is this? I can only speak for myself. As a legal immigrant, I don’t harbor any ill will toward those who came into this country illegally. To be clear, I don’t approve of breaking the law. I think the stream of border crossings should be slowed to a trickle, and I favor immigration reform that would secure the borders, substantially reduce the numbers who come in via “family unification,” substantially increase the quotas for skilled workers, and allow a small guest worker program as well. My views on immigration are in the middle of the political spectrum. But I don’t view illegal immigrants with any hostility.