Dear Senator Feinstein

Dear Senator Feinstein,

We are indeed on opposite sides of this issue.

I am not against immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. But our demographics are very different from the time when my grandparents and perhaps yours came here.

In my opinion and the opinion of many other concerned Americans, the overriding issue of our times is population – overpopulation. In a recent NY Times opinion piece, Times opinion writer Verlyn Klinkenborg makes the case why this is a matter of particular urgency for California. The Times is not part of the raving right-wing lunatic fringe.

The DREAM Act is just one of the pieces in the immigration puzzle but it’s an important piece. Actually, every piece is important but this one carries special significance. It may seem harsh to target "foreign-born young adults who, through no fault of their own, were brought to this country by their parents as children many years ago, attended elementary and high school here, and consider the United States home" but how can you argue the DREAM Act doesn’t hurt young persons who are U.S. citizens and for whom these programs were designed, especially during this financial crisis? Do you think the taxpayers’ pockets are that deep?

There comes a point when illegal immigrants need to be held responsible for the consequences of their actions and parents are answerable to their children first and foremost. The children to whom you would extend benefits have a remedy — in the home countries of their parents. That remedy may not be as good for them as what you propose but it’s not unfair. It is more in keeping with our nation’s laws, and I believe in the rule of law.

I am a former immigration lawyer. I have seen this issue "in the trenches" and I probably know it better than you. You’re wrong on this. But you’re a U.S. Senator and I am not. I’m just a voter. If you persist you must know you will no longer be able to count on my support in the polls. That’s my only recourse.

Sincerely,

Debra Soshoux
CAPS Member