Is US Immigration Policy Restrictive Enough?

The article "The New Americans," June 17, is a welcome overview of immigration, a topic which does not get enough attention in the American press. Unfortunately, I feel the article fosters two misconceptions.

First, the author has implied that United States immigration regulations are increasingly restrictive. As one who works in immigration, I must say that the trend is quite the opposite, as the ever-growing number of immigrants attests. No country accepts more immigrants or discriminates less with regard to the types of people it will accept than the US.

The author also mischaracterizes critics of immigration policy as advocates of "snatching away the welcome mat" and "slamming the door." In fact, few people would advocate so drastic a change even if they believed it were possible. Most critics argue for fairness, and point out that the US has largely lost control of the number of people it accepts. Bruce J. Levine, Smithtown, N.Y.

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