Bishop statement on immigration misguided

Bishop Vasquez of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement critiquing recent executive orders and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandums implementing these orders, relating to border security and interior immigration enforcement. I believe most Americans would agree with Bishop Vasquez's call for treating all immigrants, legal as well as illegal, with "dignity." I have read the executive orders and DHS memorandums, and I believe these orders do treat all immigrants with "dignity."

However, something must be done to stop the flood of illegal immigrants. DHS says there are 534,000 immigration cases pending nationwide - a record high. In some courts and under current circumstances, it will take up to five years for many to have their cases heard.

I disagree with Bishop Vasquez when he states that these orders and memorandums will "separate families, upend peaceful communities, endanger the lives and safety of the most vulnerable …, etc." He does not say how all these bad effects will occur and based on my experience, none of this is true.

Also, I disagree that, "The engagement of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law can (or will) undermine public safety." Just the opposite will occur. The orders and memorandums are about as thoughtful and compassionate as one can make them while still enforcing the law.

If the USCCB really believes that countries have the right to control their borders, they should submit their suggestions as to how to do it better.

Roland G. Ley

Arlington Heights A recent CNN money report, "What Trump's latest H-1B move means for workers and business", is more CNN nonsense.

Of course, tech companies are worried about Trump's H2B visa program. Foreign workers are paid 80 percent or less than that of U.S. workers. The big losers are the job brokers, who obtain most of the H1B visas, then farmworkers out to employers in exchange for as much as 20 percent of their salary. Meanwhile, American college graduates live with their parents because they can't find work and further have health insurance until age 26. Then what?

At present, 65,000 H1B visa workers are employed in the U.S., the maximum limit under law. At the same time, 50,000 qualified American technical workers are unemployed or underemployed. Trump promised to make American workers come first, and now he begins to make good on their behalf. O, the horror!

Colleges and universities are feeling the pinch, too, and squealing loudly. Educational visas are separate and easier to obtain, but without the ability to work in the U.S. after graduation, there is less incentive for the present high rate of foreign enrollments to continue. Of note is that foreigners on a student visa are required to pay nonresident tuition.

With perverse logic, and political expediency, illegal immigrants can enroll in a state university and pay resident tuition, a substantial discount. Perhaps the foreign students should violate the terms of their visa, changing their status to "illegal" and take advantage of this policy. At very least universities would have to reconsider their "sanctuary" status.

Nancy J. Thorner

Lake Bluff

Common sense reform

No where do I see anyone seriously talking about the single largest reason for skyrocketing health in-surance premiums. That is the doctors need to practice defensive medicine. To limit their exposure to seven and eight digit legal settlements in the unlikely event they missed something, they order count-less expensive tests, knowing that the vast majority will come back negative. Doctors make mistakes and good people are harmed from them, but that one mistake shouldn't put the injured in the top 1% of wealthiest Americans. Serious tort reform is the only significant way to get our out of control health care costs in line.

Bill Fanning

Vernon Hills

Bishop statement on immigration misguided

Bishop Vasquez of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement critiquing recent executive orders and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandums implementing these orders, relating to border security and interior immigration enforcement. I believe most Americans would agree with Bishop Vasquez's call for treating all immigrants, legal as well as illegal, with "dignity." I have read the executive orders and DHS memorandums, and I believe these orders do treat all immigrants with "dignity."

However, something must be done to stop the flood of illegal immigrants. DHS says there are 534,000 immigration cases pending nationwide - a record high. In some courts and under current circumstances, it will take up to five years for many to have their cases heard.

I disagree with Bishop Vasquez when he states that these orders and memorandums will "separate families, upend peaceful communities, endanger the lives and safety of the most vulnerable …, etc." He does not say how all these bad effects will occur and based on my experience, none of this is true.

Also, I disagree that, "The engagement of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law can (or will) undermine public safety." Just the opposite will occur. The orders and memorandums are about as thoughtful and compassionate as one can make them while still enforcing the law.

If the USCCB really believes that countries have the right to control their borders, they should submit their suggestions as to how to do it better.

Roland G. Ley

Arlington Heights