Businesses that abuse migrants, Pete Alonso

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso (25) hits a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, in Baltimore. Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough
Probe businesses that abuse migrants
People entering our country without legal permission brave massive distances and face great challenges to get to Long Island. The reality, though, is that many are ruthlessly exploited on every step of that journey, from the human traffickers who demand exorbitant fees, the slumlords who house them in filthy firetraps, and finally, the businesses who hire them over all others for the sole purpose of exploiting them [“How deportations are disrupting key LI industries,” News, Sept. 20].
No, I am not sympathetic to any business that has suffered a loss of productivity because it is facing a shortage of desperate people whom they can easily extort or any landlord who no longer has tenants whom they can expose to danger simply because they can’t complain.
We have a duty to build an economy that does not rely on such cruelty.
It is a moral necessity that such businesses be investigated for their part in this rolling human tragedy.
— Mackenzie Hudson, Southold
Losing iconic stars breaks fans’ hearts
Pete Alonso’s emotional return to Flushing reminds me of Aug. 21, 1977 — Tom Seaver’s first time back to Shea Stadium after being traded to the Cincinnati Reds [“Fans to Alonso in return: ‘We’ve got to say thank you,’ ” Sports, Sept. 15].
Both stars, who bled orange and blue, did not want to leave.
Many fans were in an uproar seeing their homegrown heroes leave town. It was surreal seeing them in different uniforms.
This long-suffering Mets fan wonders why they were allowed to leave and prosper elsewhere.
— Jim Donnelly, Franklin Square
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