Proposed immigration law change is appalling

I WAS APPALLED to read in E.J. Dionne’s column, May 7 Journal, of a proposed rule change by the Trump administration (that) would jeopardize the immigration status of large numbers of legal immigrants. This latest threat to immigrants — both those who are legal and those in the lengthy process to become legal — comes by expanding the list of benefits that could make them “public charges.” According to Dionne, if this proposed regulation goes into effect, low-income, tax-paying immigrants — including legal immigrants — who apply for the Child Tax Credit, food stamps or other help with nutrition or health insurance could put their status here in danger.

This seems particularly unfair because immigrants often work at the lower-paying jobs that sometimes force them to struggle to provide adequate nutrition and health care for their children. Yet my experience of over 25 years of working with immigrants has taught me that their morality and attitudes are the traits we need more of in our country. They work hard, trying to provide for their children without asking for public assistance. They make decisions based on what’s good for the whole community. I’ve observed more of these traits in immigrants than in their native-born counterparts.

I’m disturbed that this proposed mean-spirited regulation change could make it more difficult for immigrants to raise healthy children. We need those U.S. citizen children to have a healthy start in life and become the productive, working adult citizens who can support our aging non-immigrant population.

MILDRED BUNCH LANGSTON

Albuquerque