Illegal immigration must be halted right now

The recent failure of Keyport to pass an ordinance restricting the rental of housing to illegal immigrants illustrates the frustration of those who attempt to confront the massive problem of illegal immigration at the local level. Sadly, the overwhelming majority of Amer-icans who want illegal immigration stopped immediately often see their efforts thwarted by a small but vocal minority who inexplicably want to continue the current chaotic policy of dealing with illegal immigration.

Any attempt to address the issue is met with the same tired, baseless chorus of name-calling and accusations of "racism" and "anti-immigrant." This, however, is utter nonsense designed to avoid examining the grave threat posed by illegal immigration to the future of our country. In fact, illegal immigration has already become an enormous drain on the country and has created an omni-present danger by having individuals flowing across the borders unchecked.

A recent letter to Greater Media Newspapers illustrates the harmful, misguided stance of proponents of illegal immigration. The writers speak whimsically of the "immigrant's plight" and wonder if "Mexican immigrants are being targeted for harassment."

This is patently false - as any legislation is targeted at illegal immigration, not immigration per se - and would apply to individuals from any nation on earth who violate American law by coming into the country illegally. The well-meaning intent behind those who support illegal immigration ignores the threat to the fiscal, environmental and physical well-being of the country that illegal immigration poses.

For example, the common belief that illegal immigration is good for the economy is challenged on several fronts. First, many of the jobs filled by illegal immigrants are in cash industries where little or no taxes are paid.

In addition, it is estimated that illegal immigrant workers have depressed the wages of Americans without high school diplomas by more than 8 percent. Also, an estimated $16.6 billion was sent back to Mexico in 2004 alone - dollars that will help Mexico's economy, not America's.

In that same year, illegal immigration cost Texas a whopping $4.65 billion. This number is based on the cost for health care, incarceration, and education for the state's estimated 1.5 million illegal immigrants.

Government studies also show that virtually all illegal immigrants take advantage of at least one or more government programs, which adds to the burden of spiraling federal and state spending. Overall, illegal immigration costs the United States more than $90 billion each year.

Then there is the toll on the environment. With the country's population at the 300 million mark, there is no way we can continue to absorb tens of millions of illegal immigrants and their families and not have it negatively impact the environment.

Also, while the majority of the illegal immigrants are honest, hard-working people in search of a better life, there is a percentage with less-than-honorable intentions. Recent statistics from California show that a disproportionate 30 percent of the inmates in L.A. county jails are illegal immigrants. The cost for incarceration and providing legal representation for these inmates is placed squarely on the backs of the already overtaxed California taxpayer. ... Gang activity and violence among illegal immigrants is also reaching crisis proportions.

Finally, in these days of fanatical terrorism, the United States simply cannot afford to have individuals entering the country without intense scrutiny. On Sept. 11, 2001, we were attacked by foreign nationals who exploited the country's lax immigration policy and overstayed visas only to slaughter over 3,000 of our innocent fellow citizens. The chaos at the border from illegal immigration and drug smuggling has also resulted in the deaths of dozens of law enforcement officers across the country.

It is safe to say most Amer-icans are not against legal immigration, they just want those wishing to come here to do so legally, through an orderly pro-cess that ensures fairness to both the country and those desiring to come here for a better life.

We owe it to every taxpayer and citizen of the United States that the immigrants of the future come here legally and for the same reason that every immigrant group who came before them: to become a part of the greatest country in the history of the world, and all the opportunities that come with it.

Gerry Scharfenberger

Middletown