LETTER: Supports those who protest against border wall

I thought I should respond to “Voices Worthless and Unwelcome in Immigration Debate” letter of Feb. 22, which questioned the knowledge and experience of those protesting the national emergency and the border wall.

Before returning to the Pacific Northwest I lived in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

Many of the individuals who work in this valley and help produce $32.6 billion of agricultural goods in 2016 alone (California Agricultural Statistics Review 2016-17) are undocumented immigrants.

During my 20s and 30s I frequently worked alone in the agricultural fields in this area.

I always felt completely safe while working near the agricultural workers.

My children went to public schools and played with the children of these farm workers.

There were never any issues and their father and I felt completely at ease with their classmates.

If I had not had this personal experience I could, and did, look at statistics that show documented and undocumented immigrants commit crimes at a much lower rate than native-born citizens. (“Two charts demolish the notion that immigrants here illegally commit more crime,” Washington Post, June 19, 2018).

I completely support those in Sequim and in Port Angeles who demonstrated understanding that Trump’s wall is an unnecessary, costly and racist burden on our nation.

Ingrid Carmean,

Port Angeles