Illegal immigrants do get benefits

Jorge Navarro was correct that undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive food stamps (letters, May 10). Undocumented (illegal) immigrants are also generally ineligible to work in the United States and are ineligible to be here in the first place. But those prohibitions have been virtually meaningless.

The same is true of the supposed food stamp exclusion, thanks largely to phony identification and government agencies that don’t enforce the law.

A case in point: A 31-year-old undocumented immigrant was sentenced in Portland last December for heroin dealing, weapons possession and food stamp fraud. She’d been receiving $1,100 per month in public benefits, including food stamps.

Navarro characterizes as liars those who raise the issue of undocumented immigrants on the public dole. He’s the one who needs to get his facts straight. Undocumented immigrants can and do receive public benefits. That’s especially true in Oregon, which has put out the welcome mat for undocumented immigradavnts.

A state Department of Human Services brochure tells food stamp applicants that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not be contacted about their applications. The Legislature, including the entire Lane County Democratic delegation, has given undocumented immigrants access to in-state college tuition and restored their driver’s licenses.

Oregon voters are clearly OK with our status as a sanctuary state because they keep sending representatives to Salem who make those decisions. Those of us who want our immigration laws enforced appear to have lost that battle — at least for now.

JERRY RITTER
Springfield