Our immigrant neighbors should be treated with respect and Christian love

A way forward on immigration issues

Paul C. Lenz
Mankato Free Press

I have worked in the meat packing industry for more than 23 years, with three different companies in three states. During that time I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of people of many different races, ethnicities and cultures and of learning the Spanish language.

Of the people I have known, most were immigrants, both legal and illegal, the majority of them of Hispanic ethnicity. One of them is now my wife, whom I love dearly. She came here legally through the system, as it is, before I knew her. I applaud her and the many immigrants who struggle through the system legally to become permanent residents and citizens as it is a very tiresome, lengthy and weary process, but very much worth it, according to her.

I do not write this letter to tell her personal story but to speak of immigration since the subject has arisen as of late in the presidential race. Of the thousands of immigrants whom I have known, both legal and illegal, each and every one of them have known the risk of coming to this country illegally and that deportation was a possible consequence of that risk.

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