<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Letter: Allow immigrants, fill jobs

By Terry Viertel, Vancouver
Published: June 8, 2023, 6:00am

It seems that every day we hear about how hard it is for employers to find workers to fill all the jobs that are available. It seems that in every business or industry from farm work to construction to trucking and/or hospitality there are, for whatever reason, not enough people applying for those jobs. There are thousands of jobs going unfulfilled.

At the same time, we are also turning away thousands of people at our southern border, who with some schooling or training could fill lots of those jobs. I am not so naïve as to believe that immigration would solve the problem, but it could go a long way to alleviate the problem. I’m sure a large percentage of immigrants would like to have a job and a shot at the American dream.

The Republican Party has used immigration to vilify immigrants and Democrats for so long that the only solution they can come up with is to put children to work. In several GOP-controlled states it is now legal to employ children as young as 14 in construction, meat packing, bars, hospitality — and in many they’re allowed to work late on school nights.

Able-bodied immigrants or a 14-year-old girl serving drinks. What choice would you make?

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter
Loading...