Many citizens stand with immigrants

Many citizens stand with immigrants

As a lifelong resident of the Parkside Apartments in Glen Ellyn, and now a student at Wheaton College, I appreciated your excellent coverage of the village of Glen Ellyn’s proposed TIF district, which could potentially displace as many as 500 people, many of whom are refugees and others immigrants that have already been displaced once by war, persecution, or poverty in their countries of origin (“Immigrants Fear Being Forced Out of Glen Ellyn Homes,” June 19).

I know I speak for the many neighbors when I thank the hundreds of local folks from outside our neighborhood, particularly from the local churches and schools, who came to the public meeting to express their concern over this possible displacement. I also hope that our elected officials — from local Glen Ellyn village board members to federal officials such as Sen. Mark Kirk, who recently voted against proceeding on a bipartisan, common sense immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate — will note that there are many U.S. citizens, particularly within local churches, who are eager to stand with immigrants and will allow how a politician responds to issues affecting immigrants to inform their decisions when it comes to Election Day.

Irving Ruiz

Glen Ellyn