Living the dream, legally, proudly

Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, May 11, 2010

In answer to the writer of the May 4 letter, “Law is a crime against humanity”: I respect his right to his opinion. From the tone of his letter I am assuming he is an immigrant and knows of what he speaks.

I personally know. I am an immigrant. In fact, I am a twice immigrant. Once, as a child, from Holland to Canada, then later as an adult to the U.S.A. I know what the life of an immigrant is like, to leave all loved ones behind, to be alone in a huge crowd of people you don’t know, to not be accepted in school as a child (even though my skin color was the same as theirs), to work in fields (sugar beets) as a child of 11 years of age.

We all had to learn English in order to survive, as there were no interpreters around to help us. As a young man I immigrated to the U.S.A and had to start all over again. No friends, no acquaintances, but a strong family (my wife’s) to lean on. I survived and I am now living the American dream, and I wish the same for anyone no matter what ethnicity they are, but it needs to be done legally.

I did not waltz across either border with welfare and health care waiting for me. Upon coming to America I had to jump through all the right hoops and prove the promise of employment in the U.S., so that I would not be a burden on the system. I am now a proud U.S citizen, and I love my newfound home. I am not an American by birth, but by choice, and I wholly support anyone who pursues that dream, but it needs to be done according to all the laws of the land.

I support all efforts by the government (Arizona) to keep out those who are not here legally. To those who are here legally, more power to you. Live your dream.

Andy Korthius

Marysville