Illegal Immigrants

My name is Brett Fleagle and I reside in Westminster. This email is in reference to Gov. Martin O'Malley's support for tuition aid for illegal immigrants in the state of Maryland. I find this highly insulting and unacceptable. I am a retired police officer who served my community for over 20 years. I was injured in the course of my duty, defending the safety and property of the taxpayers of Carroll County. Due to my injury, I was forced to retire on disability. In 2010 I received a letter from the state retirement system saying that I would not be receiving a cost of living increase due to the economy.

In a recent story on immigration, The Sun reported a statement by Democratic Rep. Donna F. Edwards that we "must focus on those posing an actual threat to our communities" ("Hoping for reprieve: Md. immigrants await new policy," Nov. 18). Regarding the upcoming pilot program in Baltimore and Denver, will DUI convictions be included? They should be considered a violent crime. Will fingerprints be run to see if any crimes have been committed under an assumed name? Being a gang member is not a crime, but how many gang members are going to be cleared by this pilot program?

In your editorial "College bound, but undocumented" (Jan. 24), I found several rhetorical sleight of hand tricks that need addressing. First, by requiring the children of illegals to pay out-of-state tuition, we are not telling them "they can't go to college," as the editorial states, only that they will not enjoy discounted rates. Second, you clearly imply that without a college education, those children will be consigned to a life of "day-laborers, cooks and janitors.

I was shocked and dismayed to read your editorial on in-state tuition for undocumented aliens ("A flawed compromise," March 7). According to your editorial board, grandstanding politicians cannot come up with one legitimate reason to oppose this bill. I've got a reason for you: We can't afford it. There are single moms in the state of Maryland who now have to give a portion of their child support back because the state cannot afford to subsidize them any longer. I have overcrowded schools in my district (such as Stoneleigh Elementary)

I cannot believe that a state with billions of dollars of budget shortfalls has voted to extend in-state tuition to illegal or "undocumented" Marylanders. This will not only take up precious slots for Maryland children who are legal residents of the country, but also cost the state millions of dollars in out-of state fees paid by potential students who live outside Maryland's boundaries. The most cynical part of this "political pandering" is the argument that the more education these students obtain, the better their earning potential and the more taxes they will contribute in the future.

As an older American I find the thinking behind the Sunday's editorial supporting driver's licenses for illegal immigrants truly puzzling ("Driver's licenses for all drivers," Mar 31). I was raised to understand that if you violated the law, you could expect to go to jail. Now we rationalize that it is better for society to provide a license that is a privilege not a right to lawbreakers. We also notify the lawbreaker that the license will not be accepted at the airport, where you may be arrested.

Some questions for the so-called lawmakers (lawbreakers?)In Annapolis. Those who favor in-state tuition for illegal students say they shouldn't be punished for being brought here by their adult family members. But what about their family members? Why aren't they being detained and deported? Is the new law that anyone with children will not be deported? If that is the case, will anyone who breaks any law and has children not be detained or prosecuted? Citizens are entitled to equal treatment under the law. Are the legislators saying that illegals are to be above our laws and consequences, but out own people aren't?

A Baltimore-based construction contractor working for Anne Arundel County has fired six workers alleged to have been illegal immigrants, county officials announced Thursday. M. Luis Construction Co., Inc., one of three contractors who have road resurfacing contracts with the county, has cooperated with a police investigation, county officials said. A representative from the company could not be reached for comment Thursday. Acting on a tip, county police reviewed the employment documents of the company's workers, determining that six workers may have submitted frauduelent paperwork as proof of legal status.

Some Maryland lawmakers want to require the state prison system to notify federal authorities when an inmate may be in the country unlawfully - potentially resurrecting last year's debate about how the state is responding to an influx of illegal immigrants. The proposal, backed by a group of powerful Democratic senators that includes Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, came before a committee Tuesday. Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr. of Anne Arundel County said the measure could save the state millions by shifting incarceration costs away from the state by deporting more illegal immigrants.