- United States
- Texas
- Letter
I listened to the hearing today in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Mass Deportation. I wanted to make my voice heard, that I am a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform along the lines of the 2013 plan. I'm a CPA and I was ready to get these folks into compliance with their taxes and was very hopeful then. I've lived in Texas my whole life of 62+ years, and aside from not wanting to hear leaf blowers at all hours, I've always thought Mexican and Central American immigrants were a net positive addition to the community. They start businesses, employ people, provide important services, and pay taxes. They pay taxes some of which they will never benefit from, such as Social Security taxes. I would prefer that unauthorized migrants who commit minor crimes like non-safety vehicle issues be allowed to stay while folks who are convicted of violent crimes should probably be sent out of the country (I say probably because I don't know, maybe prison is the right place for them). I'm concerned that under a threat of mass deportation, many workers will be terrified and exploited. Could you foresee an immigration plan that would prioritize closing all the ways people enter the country without authorization but keeping families together and while honoring proper asylum laws? Could you foresee solutions to the crisis of deaths by drug overdose that take into account the reality that most fentanyl is brought into the country by US citizens, and that opioid deaths can be reduced by dealing with Pharma and the doctors who overprescribe? I also ask that you, particularly Senator Cruz, approach immigration with respect for the concerns of US citizens who don't totally agree with you, or who have more to learn? I want to support a good immigration policy but it's hard when you decide that if I question you or take different data or perspectives into account that there's something wrong with me, or that I somehow represent all Democrats or my concerns are just because I typically vote Democrat or because I want bad things to happen to US citizens. Those aren't true. Well that's all for now but I will be in touch more.
