Illegality matters in more than one area

This is in response to Kathy Reid from the Association of the Brethren Caregivers Jan. 6 letter on immigration. It seems that it makes no difference to her that the people she defends are here illegally. Illegal means they are breaking the laws of this country.

In order to live here, they had to steal someone's identity. Is she saying we should forget the commandment of thou shall not steal?

She doesn't seem to care about the burden this places on the people who live in the communities where illegal immigrants migrate. The cost of education is paid by the homeowners, a burden on seniors and middle class families with both parents working that are barely keeping up.

Illegal immigrants siphon off city and government funds by receiving high levels of benefits never intended for them. They overcrowd neighborhoods, affecting home values. They hold down the wages of legal citizens and legal immigrants. They pay little or no medical expenses by using hospital emergency rooms like they are their doctors' offices.

Illegal immigrants cost this country's taxpayers billions. Backing them shows contempt for our values and laws.

It's easy to have views that cost her association nothing and lay the high costs on Elgin taxpayers. These people are not undocumented workers, as Reid called them. They are illegal aliens.

Mary Willis

Elgin