Make illegal workers a campaign issue

Michael Gerson’s July 1 column, “Romney’s strategic failure on immigration,” argues that Mitt Romney is mistakenly pursuing the strategy that the campaign should be focused solely on the economy. Gerson is right. Romney is missing a golden opportunity because the economy is about jobs, and jobs is an immigration issue.

If, as Mr. Gerson urges, Romney should initiate a “bold” move that would set Mr. Obama back on his heels, I suggest that Romney put the following question to the president during their first presidential debate: “Mr. President, if, as you say, jobs for Americans are a top priority, why is your administration allowing 7 million illegal immigrants to remain in their nonfarming jobs while 20 million Americans are unable to find full-time employment?

Dave Gorak

Executive director

Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration

LaValle, Wis.