To the Editor:

Whether you live along the southern border, the northern border or in the middle of the United States, illegal immigration is a problem for all states. No state is totally immune to the financial burden of feeding and housing millions of illegal immigrants nor is the problem of illegal immigration restricted to large urban areas such as New York City. The chaos and criminal activity caused by an open-door border policy is felt by all.

According to a recent article, “Porous Northern Border Alarms North Country Sheriff”, published by the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, the illegal immigration problem along our northern border is “seeing an increase in numbers weekly”. St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle said that his department is getting reports from local residents and shop employees about migrants walking across their yards, peering into their windows and bathing in the bathrooms of big box stores. Thankfully, our 21st Congressional District representative, Elise Stefanik, has been and continues to be, a strong advocate for those who live in her district and the people who try to protect it. 

Elise supported the Justice Act which advocated for police reform and the Secure Border Act which would end catch and release and enhance border enforcement technology. She opposed the NYS Green Light Law which allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver licenses.

During the current federal fiscal year, 16,500 migrants were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents after they crossed into the U.S. from Canada. The Congresswoman personally visited the Champlain, NY Port of Entry and Border Patrol facility this year to see for herself what was happening at our northern border. She spoke to the Border Patrol Agents about their ability to deal with the surge of illegal immigration. It was clear that our Border Patrol Agents are in need of more resources and support.  

Resources and support cost money. The United States is currently 33.1 trillion dollars in debt. Unchecked illegal immigration not only jeopardizes the national security, safety and well-being of our citizens, it also drains our educational, medical, housing and financial resources. How can a citizenship, with a declining birth rate that is already being crushed by inflation, afford to continue to support millions of illegal immigrants?  

Nancy Foster
Louisville