Questions about illegal immigration

PHOTOGRAPHER: The New York Times

Eight border wall prototypes stand in front of the existing wall on the U.S.-Mexico border in Otay Mesa, Calif.

My grandparents immigrated from Poland. Before acceptance to the United States, my grandfather had to have a promise of a job.

He had to have a sponsor — friend or relative who would help him find a place to live and be responsible for his actions over a period of time. They had to be in the best of health and were encouraged to learn the English language. This criteria isn’t followed today.

Undocumented immigrants today have jobs, homes, mortgages and attend college. They’re American in every way but legal.

In my humble opinion, they should be given a path to become legal, but in less than the 12 years mentioned. They shouldn’t just be given amnesty — that would be a disservice to those who became legal through proper procedure.

Now my confusion. How did all the undocumented immigrants get a driver’s license, Social Security card, voter registration card, credit cards, etc.? How can they have mortgages, pay taxes, attend college and vote when they were not born in America and don’t have a U.S. birth certificate?

When I applied for my employment, mortgage, credit cards and acceptance to the military, I had to show many forms of identification. Perhaps some of your readers could enlighten me and answer some of my “hows.”

Pat Snyder
Glenville