Trade-off for the wall

I’m just cynical enough to believe that when this administration talks about voter fraud, it really is about keeping certain ethnic groups away from the polls altogether. And when I hear talk about keeping all the criminals out of the country with a wall at the border, it really is about keeping all poor people of color out. That’s not to say there is no need for security. There is, but there’s something else at work here.

While I am against a border wall to address our border security needs, I’d give our president his $5 billion if he would agree to open up a million new slots for law-abiding Latin American immigrants to come into the country legally. One year of these added openings for each $1 billion Trump gets for his wall. I’d insist that there be funding to provide for enough staff to process application for legal immigration in a timely manner.

While it stirs the base to characterize all immigrants as criminals, the vast majority of people approaching our borders just want a better, safer life for themselves and their children. Virtually all of us live the life we do because someone in our past made the same effort and took the same risks. Put up a wall, but only if it has numerous openings where families in need can find a new beginning and help enrich our American culture.

Bob Schatz

Spokane