NEW REALITIES

Readers react to the first policy changes instituted by President Trump

Be a good example for the nation

WELL, PRESIDENT Donald Trump is proceeding with his wall dividing the United States from Mexico. And no, Mexico is not going to pay for it (duh).

Good thing our Legislature is in session. I call on them to introduce and pass a law refusing permission for the federal government to build a big old wall on New Mexico land. We have too many ties with Mexico, personal, cultural and economic, to agree to that kind of separation.

In the same vein, the Legislature should introduce and pass a law making New Mexico a sanctuary state. Sure, an undocumented alien committing a crime should be arrested and punished or deported. But our police must have better things to do than hunt down undocumented aliens, better things to do than stopping a car for a broken taillight and arresting the driver because of the color of the skin they wear.

All our police chiefs say they are understaffed. It seems more important for the officers we do have to be apprehending thieves and murderers, addressing domestic violence, dealing with violent crimes like those. It seems to be a huge waste of resources for our overworked police to do ICE’s job for them, harassing hard-working people just going about their business day to day. Kudos to Santa Fe for acknowledging these truths.

So, legislators, get busy. Show the country that we are part of this hemisphere. Show the rest of the country how to treat people fairly. Let’s be a good example for the other states.

FLO WELLS Roswell