Column on immigration was full of hate

Regarding the Feb. 1 Walter Williams column 'Consider immigration lies and hypocrisy”:

After reading this article I am left with the tone and vitriol against 'illegal immigrants.” He says his sentiments are with 'give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free,” yet he generalizes and denigrates what an immigrant of color is, specifically mentioning Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa and Middle East. He makes sure to point out that Norwegians haven't burdened our prison and welfare system. The answer is obvious; these are countries with high standards of living, free education, free health care, equality in pay. These countries don't have rampant poverty, therefore in many ways saying that poverty equates with criminality.

I might not have all the arguments to combat the ignorance and hate of many in this country, but what I do have is the experience of having grown up in an immigrant Hispanic household. My father had two jobs during the day and another on the weekend. He never took a sick day, committed a crime, or received welfare. Immigration is a huge political issue, but we were always here, making this country what it is today. Sorry we don't look like Norwegians, but we are a people of great warmth, work ethic and family values. We have given this country much wealth of humanity. Deal with immigration reform, but don't denigrate a people for who they are and how they look or what you perceive them to be.

Maria Encarnacao

Coralville