Letter to the Editor, NYT (published!)

To the Editor:

In “The Laws Cops Can’t Enforce” (Op-Ed, July 31), George Gascón effectively documents the risks to constitutionality and social justice posed by a status quo lacking a comprehensive domestic immigration policy.

But no legislation, however comprehensive, will succeed without an international component. The most important step Washington can take to control immigration would be to help reduce poverty in Mexico and Central America, lessening the economic need that pushes the poor north.

Daniel Nemser
San Francisco, Aug. 1, 2008