To the Editor:
In “We Need to Wake Up After Minneapolis,” by Mike Lawler (Opinion guest essay, Jan. 28):
Representative Lawler, Republican of New York, advocates bipartisan reform of our immigration system: an “American” solution to the problems we are now facing.
It is worth noting that in early 2024, before the presidential election, three U.S. senators — James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma; Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut; and Kyrsten Sinema, independent of Arizona — engineered a bipartisan immigration bill that Republicans requested be part of a foreign aid package.
While not a cure-all, this bill was a good start toward the kinds of reforms Representative Lawler suggests. Despite initial support by both parties, the bill failed, in large part at the behest of the Republicans’ leading presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Representative Lawler’s call for bipartisanship is most welcome. Unfortunately, it comes only in the wake of two tragic and unnecessary deaths. Let us hope that in the future, it will take far less for Republicans to wake up.
Peter Doering Saunderstown, R.I.
To the Editor:
Representative Mike Lawler writes that “collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement officials might have prevented some of the chaos in Minneapolis.” But county and state officials in Minnesota have been cooperating with federal immigration officials for a good long time.
Minnesota’s corrections commissioner, Paul Schnell, recently called a news conference to point out that state and county law enforcement officials have routinely cooperated with the federal authorities, as long as they followed the law. Mr. Schnell also pointed out that federal immigration officials issued information that was “fundamentally false” about what Minnesota law enforcement did and did not do to cooperate.
Representative Lawler is right that “Americans do not want chaos” on immigration, but the only way to avoid chaos is to honestly admit who’s causing it. In the case of the so-called Operation Metro Surge, President Trump and Republicans are the guilty parties.
Steven Schild Falcon Heights, Minn.
To the Editor:
I applaud the bipartisan ideas presented by Mike Lawler. After all, Congress has the power to fix many of our problems. I am thankful to see some Republican members taking baby steps.
Other G.O.P. players in the House and the Senate misdirect their power to protect utter craziness. It is unrealistic to think that President Trump will become a reasonable actor. They should stop fiddling on the deck of the Titanic.
We need hope. It is heartening to see Minnesotans and protesters across the country pull together so magnificently, but Mr. Trump has his own militia now. We need even more resolve to fix this. As a citizen I say to the G.O.P.:
Our Republic is in crisis. This administration has replaced trust and integrity with lies, threats, lawlessness and corruption.
I ask that you provide a check on the president. Prevent this cabinet from advancing destructive policies. Impeach and convict bad actors as the Constitution allows. Take responsibility. Demand accountability. Honor your oath.
History will remember your choices.
Amy Bennett Encinitas, Calif.
Open Columbia’s Gates
To the Editor:
Re “Columbia Hires as Chief a Wisconsin Chancellor” (news article, Jan. 27):
Jennifer Mnookin’s first official action upon becoming president of Columbia University should be to open up the campus and restore 116th Street as a public right of way.
This course of action would garner support from New York City residents and members of the university community. It would usher in a new era of community trust and restore Columbia as a welcoming institution of higher learning as the university moves forward to usher in a period of growth and stability.
Carl Faller Columbus, Ohio The writer is a 1983 graduate of Columbia College.
A ‘No’ From Canada
To the Editor:
Re “Where a ‘Rupture’ Might Lead,” by Ross Douthat (column, Jan. 25):
Mr. Douthat says, parenthetically, “Canada, of course, will bring at least 10 new states when it joins with us some day.” I believe that this shows a profound lack of understanding of Canada.
Canadians believe that their government should be kind and help in their lives, for example, by offering universal health care. Without a huge change, our countries are very different. Vive la différence! Most of us don’t want to be American.
Pam Gurd Vancouver, British Columbia
The post How to Come Together on Immigration appeared first on New York Times.
