MAILBAG:Enforce, control, monitor immigration laws

Regarding Judge James P. Gray’s column, “Immigration system is ineffective” (July 15), yes, the immigration system is ineffective (and unenforced). No, the system has not failed, only the enforcement of the law is failing.

Yes, it is the federal government’s power to control our borders.

The honorable Judge Gray appears to forget who the federal government is. It is us — the taxpayers, the voters — and we are up in arms to have our corrupt leaders of the executive, legislative and judicial branches enforce the laws.

We have a “green card” visa system for foreigners to work, and this is to be controlled and monitored. It is already illegal to hire a noncitizen without a Social Security number. Enforce this law. These illegal aliens have corrupted our society and culture, first by breaking the U.S. sovereignty and then by building an underworld separate nation. This is a terrorist method to conquer and disrupt.

The disruption is here (see Los Angeles), and the federal government is complying because of money/votes/oil.

Enforce, control and monitor existing laws. You, Judge Gray, are part of the problem with your naive proposal toward amnesty. When Mexican flags are flying over the U.S. flags, I know where my heart is — and it’s not in north Tijuana.

HAROLD VALLEY

Orange County is considered one of the safest places in America. It’s home to three of the safest cities in the country — Irvine, Huntington Beach and Orange — and recipient of the 2007 Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch from the National Sheriffs’ Assn.

While crime rates are rising in the state and nation, crime in Orange County is declining, with violent crime down 7.72% and property crime down 3.76%. A recent survey found an overwhelming 97% of Orange County residents feel safe in their homes and communities.

A record like this grows from the dedication and expert coordination of trained public safety professionals. It’s this commitment to safety and service — not jobs — that has motivated local sheriff’s deputies to join the debate over the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol.

To these officers, public safety is more than their job — it’s a way of life. So when they hear about a situation that could jeopardize public safety and cost taxpayers more in the process, their instinct is to diffuse it. And that’s what the local deputies’ association did by raising concerns about the potential pitfalls of transferring Harbor Patrol services from the county to the city.

The Harbor Patrol’s deputies rescue stranded boaters, help disabled vessels, provide emergency first aid, fight marine fires, support antiterrorism/antidrug efforts, and perform underwater recoveries. The department has invested tens of thousands of dollars in officer training and millions of dollars in equipment to protect our waters,. all within budget .

So instead of berating the deputies for putting so much thought into the complex issues surrounding harbor safety, maybe Newport Beach officials should take their lead. They just might learn something.

PAM WOUDSTRA

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