No citizenship for illegal babies

I wish to address the issues of overreaction that Mr. Walt Zlotow raised in his letter to the editor on Aug. 15. Mr. Zlotow would like us to believe that the illegal immigrant issue is a minor bump on the political landscape.

I would like to point out that the illegal immigrant movement has complained that without comprehensive immigration reform their families would be ripped apart. Those members with U.S. birth citizenship allowed to stay in the U.S. and those without eligibility to be in the U.S., forced to return to their native country. I have a much simpler solution: don't give citizenship to babies born of illegal immigrants.

The illegal immigrant movement has demonstrated in every major city in the U.S. It appears to me that a solid response to such substantial demonstrations as we have seen in Arizona is a proper response, not an overreaction as Mr. Zlotow believes.

A country is only within its sovereign right to govern who can become a citizen and regulate who can cross its borders. Whether from South America, Mexico, Asia or Europe, people from these parts of the world need to apply for admission to this country, just as my grandfather had. And, yes, he completed the forms of admission and underwent health screenings before he was given permission to enter the U.S. Asking the same from prospective emigrates today is not an overreaction.

Tom Teune

Wheaton