Illegal immigrants do pay taxes

I would like to address some of the misconceptions expressed by Eve Barson in her May 30 Fence Post letter. She states that illegal immigrants do not pay taxes. This is a false and misguided notion that many Americans seem to have.

In order to get a job in this country, one must produce a social security number, whether it is real or not, for tax purposes. Taxes are definitely taken out of the paychecks of illegal immigrants. As such, they are contributing to the system but will never collect in terms of social security. Furthermore, illegal immigrants obviously pay sales tax and taxes when they rent an apartment, etc.

I bet most people who heartlessly complain about illegal immigrants have never witnessed firsthand the poverty in places like Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua. I would never blame a victim of poverty for doing his best to try and just survive. If the U.S. really wants to quell the rising tide of illegal immigration, then people need to stop blaming the victims of poverty and start punishing the employers and businesses who illegally provide low-wage jobs for illegal immigrants.

If there were no jobs available, immigrants would not come. Stop blaming the victims and start blaming those who exploit and profit from illegal immigrants.

Patience Sarah Falk

Palatine