Illegals, anchor babies

It saddens me to hear the harsh and insensitive rhetoric about the undocumented population in the United States.

I do agree that a new comprehensive immigration policy has to be established and I also agree with punishing those committing serious crimes. But to use the terms “illegal aliens” and “anchor babies” in the callous way some politicians are using them makes me sad and angry.

Immigrants have contributed immensely to make this country prosperous and great, while working hard to provide a good life and future in this country of liberty and opportunity for themselves and their families.

I arrived in this country in 1961 through the Operation Pedro Pan exodus, and many times I’ve asked myself: If the United States had not given my parents the opportunity to send me legally here and cared for me until I reunited with them, would my parents have considered sending me to this country illegally as the only alternative to flee repression?

I know what the answer to that question is.

This story was originally published September 5, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Illegals, anchor babies."