Concerns about borders not just by ‘evangelicals’

Bill Rogers (“Hypocritical of them”, Dec. 30) says, “This side of the border is for white Trump-supporting evangelicals who think a border wall is needed to keep these unwanted brown folks from bringing disease and crime into America.”

Why limit this to “white evangelicals?” I’m sure other Americans — they come in all colors and religious persuasions — want a secure border and don’t want any more disease or crime. We have enough of both. Would Mr. Rogers welcome a diseased or criminal stranger into his own home? Does he lock his doors at night, and if so, why?

In just the last few days we have learned of the murder of the young policeman in California, gunned down by an illegal alien, a suspected gang member. Were it not for that state’s “sanctuary” laws, this lawbreaker would have been deported and Cpl. Ronil Singh, father of a child of 5 months, would be alive today. He was an immigrant from Fiji, and became an American by the legal process. I have never been so angry about this obscene political farce in our country as I am today.

Rogers mentions with obvious disdain those “white evangelicals” who, at their own expense, go to Central American countries, in situations sometimes difficult and even dangerous, and where the protections of our U.S. Constitution do not apply. They go to encourage people to heed and follow the word of God. How does he know that they do not also help, when they can, with food and other material aid? Also, the United States every year sends to the countries he named $10.6 billion. That’s twice what our president asks Congress for the wall. Whether these tax dollars, intended to help vitalize and stabilize the economies there, ever actually get past the politicians who control them down to the common citizens is not for me to say.

I personally know a young man who went on one of these “missions.” His wallet was stolen and he reported it to the local policia. The thief was related to one of them, so the young man was arrested and jailed. Months later, after his family had paid heavy “fines,” he got back home. Jail in some of these countries may not be the “end of the world,” but you can see it from there. HAROLD B. CHILTON

Fayetteville