Freedom Folks: An Open Letter to President Bush

If you've been here before, you know where we stand on illegal immigration and the need to secure our borders. These are things I think about often, and it recently dawned on me that it's been almost 4 1/2 years since the nation took in a collective breath as we watched the Twin Towers crash to the ground on 9-11.

But how much has been done to protect us? How much safer are we and our way of life years later?

NOT ENOUGH.

So I decided to write to the man at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and let him know...

January 18, 2006

Dear Mr. President:

I have voted for you twice now, and I would not change those votes. I am generally happy with the job you've done as president, and you have my continued support and appreciation for your leadership.

I am writing this letter, however, to express my deepest concern, frustration and, yes, anger regarding your statements, positions, and actions (or lack thereof) on securing our borders, stopping the flood of illegal immigrants entering the country, and dealing with the havoc that has already been wrought by the millions of people who are living and working here illegally.

As for the security of our nation, I cannot fathom how we are approaching 4 1/2 years since 9-11 with so much talk and so little action regarding our borders. Between you, your administration, and the members of Congress, there has been enough talk of securing our borders and protecting our citizens from further attack to sink a battleship. Why, then, are people who have no legal right to be here still streaming over the borders, terrorizing those whose property they cross on their way, and vanishing into the population? Who knows how many terrorist cells have been created and filled within our supposedly sovereign borders by those who breach those borders with ease? American citizens are crying out to you to do your job and protect our country from those who would harm us, for they are certainly plotting and planning and waiting to do so from within our borders.

And as for illegal immigration, I am full of questions, frustration and outrage. Why are people who have no legal right to be here flooding the country with a workforce that has transformed entire industries into "jobs that Americans don't want?" Why are people who have no legal right to be here draining our educational, health care, and public assistance systems, while Americans look for work and struggle to make a living wage? Why are people who stand up for their rights as citizens -- the protection of the government, and fair but strong enforcement of our laws -- being vilified as "racists" and "anti-immigrant" while you stand by and watch, talking about guest worker programs that will reward those whose first act on our soil was to break the law? Why are cities allowed to have "sanctuary policies" that protect lawbreakers while they jeopardize the safety of law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants?

I love this country dearly, and highly value the diversity that our history of immigration has provided. My father was an immigrant who became a citizen when I was two. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force, and was prouder to be an American than anyone else I've known in my life. He taught me, by word and by deed, the tremendous value of citizenship in this great nation. He taught me that it should be neither given nor taken lightly. He taught me that citizenship is a treasured gift to those who are born here, and a prized goal to be earned by those who were not.

To open the door for amnesty -- no matter what euphemistic name you give it -- would be a great disservice to the citizens of this country, and a slap in the face to all those who have come here legally and worked hard to earn the prize. For American citizenship is a prize, indeed, and one that should be offered and accepted with honor. Our soldiers have fought and died for the sanctity of this gift, and their service is disrespected and devalued both by those who would try to steal it, and by those who would hand it out like candy.

Nearly 3,000 souls were lost on 9-11. After almost 4 1/2 years, our borders remain insecure and vulnerable. Our citizens and our way of life are in danger. We need you, Mr. President, to do all that you can. We need you, Mr. President, to do whatever it takes.

Secure our borders. Enforce our laws. Protect the nation you vowed to protect. Serve the citizens you promised to serve.