Helping protect illegal immigrants?

Twenty one-year-old Rigo Padilla, an illegal immigrant, was arrested on charges of drunken driving and was to be deported on Dec. 16. The Obama administration granted him a one year reprieve based on a few small demonstrations. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesman wrote that "situations such as this demonstrate the continued need for comprehensive reform of our nation's immigration laws."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced legislation that would grant Padilla permanent legal status. Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin began making inquiries to DHS about Padilla's case. I find it appalling that Homeland Security, Schakowsky and Durbin are not taking the necessary action under our immigration laws to deport the parents of Padilla. They have been here illegally for 15 years and probably have false identification and driver licenses and should be deported.

In addition, Rigo Padilla should also be deported to keep the family together. He is 21 years old, knew he has been in the U.S. illegally and was properly arrested on charges of drunken driving. This is not a situation that demonstrates the continued need for comprehensive reform of our immigration laws. It is clearly a situation of illegal immigrants flaunting our laws because they know elected officials like Schakowsky and Durbin are more interested in protecting illegal immigrants than the U.S. Constitution and legal citizens.

J.H. Snyder

Wheaton