Unfair competition for our jobs

Regarding Ruben Navarette's column on illegal immigration on Dec. 21, I have to disagree with him in his statement that "the whole illegal immigrants take jobs from Americans" argument is bogus.

As one who competes daily with the Hispanics, legal and illegal, for work, I can tell you for a fact that they are not just doing the work that "Americans won't do."

They are doing everything from landscaping to carpentry. Not only have the employers never heard of insurance or payroll taxes, but they pay their illegal help less than you could imagine. And they will never hire a white or black person. I wonder how an illegal immigrant can even start a company, but many have.

So, Mr. Navarrette, I don't disagree that something has to be done - deportation should have been done long ago - but don't speak of which you do not know.

I'm sick and tired of paying their way, now they are getting into my wallet much too frequently. And it's not a fair playing field when you compete against people who aren't forced to carry the insurance and pay the payroll taxes that we do.

Tom Lorenzen

Elgin