Path to citizenship not only solution

The pathway to citizenship or amnesty is dividing our nation. Both sides have valid reasons to support their views. Not all the illegal immigrants are crossing the Mexican border. Many are skilled and educated. They are able to provide well for their families and have support from family and friends.

The politicians who are watching the crowds of protesters that are demanding the right to citizenship want to please the masses. They want the votes that keep them in office. Those who hire the illegal immigrants for cheap labor do not want to lose them. Everyone better look into the consequences.

Many of our unskilled illegals and their families are living in poverty. Many have settled in areas that have become overcrowded and include gangs, drugs and crime. A common language draws them together unless we are prepared to pay more for the services they provide and limit the funding.

We already have too many of our own citizens living on welfare. Many of our own are also unskilled, undereducated and have become dependent because the need to work is unnecessary or jobs are not available in the area where they live. Both groups suffer the consequences of poverty. We need to help provide a living wage and a spendable income to reduce poverty. We need more jobs available for the unskilled from the private sector, even if it means subsidies to relocate in our impoverished areas to minimize the risk.

We prosper by employment and poverty will drain us. Stop the flow of poverty into this country. Solve the poverty problem we already have. Then determine a pathway to citizenship based on criminal records, independent living, sponsors and becoming an American because of the opportunity and not just the benefits.

Arlene Lukas

Arlington Heights