Asking Kirk to get behind immigration

Have you ever moved? I have.

The same is true today as it has been throughout history: people move for a better life for themselves and their families.

Fourteen years ago, my wife and I made the difficult decision to move our family to McHenry County, and leave behind a place we'd called home for many years. It was tough saying goodbye to longtime friends. It was especially tough on my kids. But we did it. We did it because there were better opportunities here.

New American immigrants have done the same thing I've done. They moved here for the promise of better opportunities. Moving to make a better life for your family is one of the best things, and one of the hardest, a person can do.

Today's immigrants are just as American as any other generation of newcomers. They were just unfortunate enough to come at a time when the immigration process in the United States is a complete catastrophe.

Many in the Senate have been putting aside partisan politics to work to pass a comprehensive immigration bill that includes a road map to citizenship. Senator Durbin has been out front on this from the start, but as an Illinois voter, I want to see both my U.S. Senators taking a leading role. That's why I've called and written to Sen. Mark Kirk to ask his support for this important issue.

Arne Waltmire

McHenry