TROUBLE WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

The Post's editorial "Reprieve for Illegals" [Jan. 3] does a great
disservice to readers by presenting a skewed view of the American public's
sentiments about the presence of illegal immigrants.

On what basis does The Post make the claim that "many Americans" would
prefer to keep illegals in this country? Certainly that was not my
impression when I accompanied a group of foreign journalists who visited
San Diego and El Paso several years ago. Quite the opposite: The current
representative from El Paso, Sylvester Reyes, built his reputation and was
elected on the basis that he would deal sternly with illegals who
transported drugs and terrorized neighborhoods.

INS officials in California told us that the illegal immigration was "out
of control." The Department of State estimates that 70 percent of South
American cocaine, 30 percent of the heroin and 80 percent of the marijuana
coming into this country come from Mexico. Rather than turn a blind eye to
the enforcement of immigration laws, The Post's editorial should be calling
for a greater vigilance of America's open and porous borders. As a former
Foreign Service officer, I can unequivocally state that we are only seeing
the tip of that proverbial iceberg regarding illegal aliens.

With this Justice Department wedded to the idea that no INS raids will be
carried out without warning intended targets, and politicians of both
parties unwilling to fashion a realistic and enforceable immigration
policy, the problems created by illegal immigration must inevitably worsen.
Sadly, by our inaction we send a message to the rest of the world that the
United States has no immigration laws; sadder, that breaking the law does pay.

Vincent Chiarello
Reston