Border crisis

  • By KATHLEEN SCHMITZ
  • Monday, June 25, 2018 8:15am
  • Opinion

Question: Why are so many people fleeing their country of origin? Answer: They claim their country is lawless and dangerous. Question: Why are many Americans encouraging lawlessness in our country? Are American citizens unable to make the connection between that “breaking the law” without some form of punishment/uncomfortable situation encourages more breaking of the law? People are not fleeing law abiding countries, in fact they are taking great risk to reach safe countries. Breakdown of law encourages bribery, kidnapping, smuggling, etc. In other words, if the door is open, enter! That is exactly what is happening at our border.

I can only surmise very few of the gripers/complainers have ever spent much time in a developing country (not a tourist resort) or they would kiss the ground on arriving back in the United States (Been there, done that). The U.S. is the most dependable country in the world because we operate under the rule of law. This allows the freedom to move about without infringing on others. We know what to expect. Not perfect but much better than the developing world where bribery is the name of the game in every situation. Without laws, chaos reigns.

Why would any U.S. citizen encourage lawlessness: border crossings at any spot rather than at appointed points of entry, adults claiming children who may or may not belong to them, crime committed by coyotes, sex traffickers, drug smugglers, etc. At this very moment President Donald Trump has been forced into “changing” the rules. I only hope this does not encourage another large influx of migrants. Only time will tell.

I was impressed when last year signs began appearing around town announcing the intentions to sponsor individuals/families. That is the proper way to create orderly immigration and puts less strain on the government. However, I have yet to see or hear of any immigrants. My friends entered the legal way through sponsorship and have been very successful in America. I call on those who have placed signs in their yards or written letters to the editor to consider sponsoring a “border family.” The sooner the better as the need is now.

Kathleen Schmitz,

Juneau

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by… Continue reading

The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
My Turn: A plea for Alaska’s delegation to actively oppose political coup occurring in D.C.

An open letter to Alaska’s Congressional delegation: I am a 40-year resident… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about… Continue reading

Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)
Opinion: Housing shouldn’t be a political issue — it’s a human right

Alaska is facing a crisis — one that shouldn’t be up for… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Protect the balance of democracy

We are a couple in our 70s with 45-plus years as residents… Continue reading

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I’m not at all impressed by President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Community affordability takes a back seat to Assembly spending

Less than four months ago, Juneau voters approved a $10 million bond… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Informing the Public?

The recent Los Angeles area firestorms have created their own media circus… Continue reading

Bins of old PFAS-containing firefighting foams are seen on Oct. 24, 2024, at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport fire department headquarters. The PFAS foams are due to be removed and sent to a treatment facility. The airport, like all other state-operated airports, is to switch to non-PFAS firefighting foams by the start of 2025, under a new state law. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: A change for safer attire: PFAS Alternatives Act 2023

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are man-made synthetic chemicals… Continue reading

Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Opinion: Karen Pence’s silent act of conscience

Last week at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President-elect Donald Trump and former President… Continue reading