Although proponents of the McCain/Kennedy bill are well intentioned, they do not understand how allowing illegals already here to become citizens and bringing in their spouses and children, will contribute to our already burgeoning population growth.
First of all, it will not stop illegal immigration. But it will add millions to our sprawl, crowded schools, overburdened health care facilities and water shortages. It also will contribute to increased illegal immigration, as we know from the 1986 amnesty.
We do not have enough water, oil, fish, school spaces, health care facilities and jobs for those who are already here.
We should be working to stabilize our population, not increase it further. Interior enforcement is what is needed, not increased immigration from any source.
-- Lorrie Hall
ASU alumnae
Collier's ASA campaign unreasonable
I am writing this letter as a former intern and current volunteer with the Arizona Students' Association in response to Ms. Cochran's article on Mr. Collier's wrongly targeted campaign for students to "get their dollar back."
While ASA, like any other organization, is not perfect, everyone involved works extremely hard to achieve as much as possible for the student body. It wasn't too long ago that the Arizona Legislature didn't allot any money for financial aid. If it weren't for the lobbying by the ASA, the Arizona Financial Aid Trust Fund bill may never have come into existence.
The ASA continues to try and advocate on students' behalf. Just last year, ASA-organized events included "democracy days," in which students had a chance to directly interact with their legislators, in addition to letter-writing campaigns and the statewide student lobbying day at the capitol.
On his Web site and in the article, Mr. Collier complained of a lack of publicity and a desire to remain "secretive." There is, however, a very informative Web site (www.azstudents.org) that gives information on both the history and future plans of the organization. The ASA has no reason to try and remain secretive about anything it does, and while lack of publicity may been a problem for some, the ASA is also working to improve its presence - and the information has always been there for those who wish to find it.
We are all frustrated with the rising cost and increasing challenges of being a student in America. However, taking money away from ASA isn't anything more than a bitter stab in the wrong direction.
-- Ben Horowitz
ASU student
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