January 12th, 2024
I wrote this letter to the editor. It was published this morning by the Chicago Tribune
It is an American tradition to shout from the rooftops that the United States is the greatest country on earth. It is apparently also a tradition for Americans to react with shock and dismay when large groups of people cross our borders because they want to live in the greatest country on earth. We can’t have it both ways.
Currently, thousands of migrants are coming across our southern border in search of a better life. This is a chaotic and confusing situation for American citizens and for the migrants. However, it does not need to be this way. Instead of regarding these newcomers as threats and liabilities, we could view them as assets to our nation, and treat them accordingly.
The fact is we have a chronic labor shortage, and America’s birthrate is not sufficient to alleviate that shortage, not now and not in the future. Jobs go begging. Employers in our country bitterly lament the lack of workers. The migrants entering the United States could be the workers that we need. They probably won’t make a seamless transition into the work force, but they are motivated, and they are here.
Vet these people. Give them job permits and get them to work. We need them. They are a godsend.
Frank is Emptiness 
In a perfect system, I’d agree. Sadly, I have seen firsthand the hardened criminals and drug pathways into our great country along the same trail. How do we deal with both? As you said we cannot have it both ways. I believe there are ways to do this, but they take time, LABOR, and money…
Smitty
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