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No letters were printed this week; here is the letter from last week:

Reader says newspaper must print both sides in immigration debate

This letter is in response to the page 1 story, “Arizona mother deported from U.S. taken in by shelter just across the border” in the Feb. 17 issue of The Criterion.

First, I am Catholic and have worked hard to raise two daughters.

I was married to an alcoholic for 15 years. I divorced when my daughter were 11 and 13 years old. I relocated back to my hometown to raise my two daughters without support from their dad. Both of my daughters are college graduates and have beautiful families. I pray daily.

The article in The Criterion interests me. First, the woman mentioned, Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, was an illegal alien, not undocumented. She broke the law. Many states have sanctuary cities, but it is against our federal laws.

I am thrilled President Donald J. Trump is following the law. So why did she not follow our laws? She did not speak English, did not apply for citizenship. She came into our wonderful country, and broke many laws and took all the free stuff.

In the article, she went on to say she didn’t regret her decision to check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite the risk of being arrested. She was working with a fake Social Security card. I, for one, do not want anyone like her to live in our wonderful country.

Garcia de Rayos broke our laws time after time, and took tax dollars that all of us earned for our citizens. The U.S. gives to illegal immigrants free education, medical, housing and food. Citizens keep paying and paying; it is out of control the dishonesty. We need a fence, and again laws need to be enforced. Her family would not be broken if she took her children with her. I disagree with the sympathy being shown to her.

This is my view, and others may not agree. Start printing both sides.

I am for all people applying for citizenship and coming in legally, but not walking in and taking all our resources. Most people would agree with me.

Illegal immigrants, not undocumented workers, should go back and apply and come in legally. The American people worked hard, and revenues should go toward our veterans and our citizens.

- Arlene A. Cook | Greensburg