Letter: Immigrants' stories inspire reform
Many gather during a rally for immigration reform in from of the Westchester County Executive office in White Plains. (April 10, 2013) Credit: Xavier Mascarenas
I applaud those who shared their personal stories of struggle and hope in "LI Voices: Immigration" [News, May 28]. Through these diverse stories, we begin to understand the necessity to comprehensively reform our immigration system.
We are still many steps away from passing national immigration reform. As the conversation continues, we need to welcome the stories of immigrants at the center of this debate so we can better understand the need for reform. The bravery, sacrifice, hard work and hope that emanate from these stories is inspiring to all of us, immigrants or not.
Immigration reform is not a gift or a reward to immigrants; it is a necessity for all of us. As a country, we are better than our broken immigration system. We need to work together to reform our system so that it works for our country, our economy and our communities.
Anita Halasz, East Setauket
Editor's note: The writer is an organizer with Long Island Jobs with Justice, an advocacy organization.
