What is the national emergency that President Donald Trump cites to allow him to unilaterally divert billions of dollars to build a border wall? Are the Russians invading our country? Are our neighbors to the south declaring war on the U.S.A.?

Or are these just laborers and families looking for a better life by fleeing from oppressive governments and the fighting in their countries?

I am not advocating open borders. There should be methodical, fair and compassionate immigration policies in place to process applications for entrance to our country.

Immigration is the life blood of growth of our country. It began with European immigrants and includes African slaves and Asian plantation workers. They helped build this country. Let’s stop this talk of building a border wall and instead help immigrants in their efforts to build a better life for themselves and to help build a better America.

Stuart Shimazu

Diamond Head

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