Shi Tong Chu is about to be deported to his native China ("Immigration arrest shocks working family," Oct. 4). Mr. Chu is a husband, father, business owner and taxpayer who works long hours in a restaurant to support his family. Unfortunately, Mr. Chu also is an illegal immigrant and, as such, is subject to deportation.
At the same time, millions of illegal immigrants cross our borders by the busload, unimpeded. Some of these turn out to be convicted criminals, gangbangers and drug dealers. As a way to reward them for their crimes, our government provides them with welfare, identity cards, drivers' licenses, free medical care, free education, free cellphones and only the Lord knows what else. It should be noted that Mr. Chu receives none of these benefits, but he is the one being shipped to China.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is allowed by law to deport anyone not meeting the legal criterion. Because it would be impossible to deport all illegal immigrants, the agency is allowed to randomly choose those who are deported. So they chose Mr. Chu.
Yet what this country needs is more Mr. Chus.
R. LEE BOWEN
Saratoga Springs