To the Editor:

Your editorial says that “as much as we claim to be a nation of immigrants, we have thwarted them at every turn.” We do not thwart them. Every year, this country is very generous compared with other countries in the number of immigrants and refugees admitted.

In 1986, the last time Congress “fixed” illegal immigration, a “one time” amnesty was granted to three million undocumented workers. One of the traditions of our immigrant nation is respect for the law. We should not reward lawbreakers with another amnesty, no matter what it is called.

Any amnesty will encourage even more to enter this country illegally and reward businesses by allowing them to use illegal workers, further depressing the wages of American citizens.

Robert F. LaPorta
Dix Hills, N.Y., Feb. 18, 2007