Fence isn’t solution to illegal immigration

Re “A real fence for a real problem,” Opinion, March 17

Colin A. Hanna is out of touch with reality. Does he know that up to half of all undocumented immigrants came here with a legal visa and overstayed? He seems to have no problem with them, only with the poor immigrants who cross the border by foot. America does not have hostile neighbors. They are our business partners under the North American Free Trade Agreement, one of the world’s largest such agreements. Mexico is not Palestine, and the U.S. is not Israel. We do not need a fence but real and humane immigration reform that gives permanent residency to hard-working immigrants.

MAYRON PAYES

Pasadena

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Hanna’s myopic understanding of the forces that drive illegal immigration is evident in his assertion that a border fence would stop illegal immigration. Completely sealing off America’s border with a physical barrier is unfeasible logistically and a waste of taxpayers’ money. While touring the El Paso, Texas, sector of the border last week, I asked a Border Patrol agent for her thoughts on the proposed wall. She dismissed such a proposal as a reactionary approach to securing America. There are extensive areas of the border that have a 100% apprehension rate, making a fence a waste of tax money that would be better spent hiring more Border Patrol agents to properly monitor our borders and facilitate trade between the U.S. and neighboring countries.

OCTAVIO GONZALEZ

Washington