Send the foreign kids away [Letter]

I can't believe it! With all the problems Baltimore has, are we also expected to house indigent, Central American children who don't speak English and have broken the law ("Immigrant children's center eyed for city," June 10)? What are they smoking in Washington?

The solution for thousands of unaccompanied children "surging" over our borders is to return them to their own countries. Apparently, it's so easy to sneak into the United States even kids can do it. So much for the Department of Homeland Security, the "war on terror," border security or immigration reform. This is a travesty and now the federal government wants to send the kids here! And to the Lexington Market neighborhood! When was the last time any federal official visited the place?

I shop at Lexington Market, and sometimes feel I'm in a cop movie. I've seen police drag guys out in handcuffs, and I'm constantly warned to be careful when paying cash, as money is snatched. And this is considered a good neighborhood for children? Someone is deluded or demented.

And then there is the question of schooling. The Sun frequently treats us to horror stories regarding our K-12 facilities. Now, the federal government thinks it a good idea to import more kids with no parents or knowledge of the language. That strikes me as a Baltimore death wish. And what about city and state taxpayers like me? Why should my dollars be squandered on thousands of foreign kids who have broken the law? This is beyond insulting.

The solution to this overwhelming number of undocumented immigrants "surging" into our country is to deport them at once. American taxpayers might even be happy to personally fund bus or airline tickets. I'd willingly make a contribution from my small pension. Enough is enough!

Rosalind Ellis Heid, Baltimore

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