Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Is illegal entry fair?

In 1869 the (United States’) main westward expansion started. The railroad began expanding to more towns and cities. They brought the people who cleared the land, established schools, built roads, and made the West what it is today. Many of these people had come through Ellis Island, which was the gateway for most immigrants.

Have people forgotten about our own countrymen who settled the unknown, lived through the Great Depression and two world wars? They think the hordes of people coming to the U.S. are coming to fill jobs? Do they know many of the lesser jobs in the U.S. will be replaced by machines or done away with?

Many of the people coming to the U.S. border en masse are being coached and encouraged by people who care not for them but their own benefit.

Our country has laws and rules protecting us and the migrants as well. These laws are being ignored and abused by both sides of the argument.

Over the next year a million migrants are expected to try illegal entry to the U.S. Is letting them just walk in fair to those who entered legally following those who came before?

Gerald Ray

Spokane

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-5098

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy