Why are border states worst off?

On Dec. 15 you ran an article from The Associated Press that mentioned a record number of Americans — nearly 1 in 2 — have fallen into poverty or are scraping by. Without food stamps and aid, more would fall below the poverty line. All States are in some kind of recession/depression, but could it just be a coincidence that (according the article) the states mentioned bordering our southern border — Arizona, New Mexico, California and Texas — were in the most dire circumstances?

Could it have anything to do with the good old U.S. going broke trying to feed, school and providing medical help to millions of people here illegally?

Barbara Allen

Huntley