Regarding the letter “Reform immigration policy” (Feb. 9): In October 2023, Senate Republicans made it clear that they would not back additional aid for Ukraine without a bill that would help secure the southern border of the United States. With the blessing of Sen. Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, a bipartisan team of senators began negotiations to produce a bill that enough members of both parties could accept to overwhelm objections from progressive Democrats and “America First” Republicans.
The team negotiated for months to produce this bill.
Donald Trump, the all-but-certain Republican presidential nominee, contacted House Speaker Mike Johnson and told him that any congressional solution to that problem would hurt his election chances in the 2024 election.
Johnson stated publicly that he would not allow the Senate bill to reach the House floor for a vote, even though the Senate bill probably had enough House votes to pass and President Joe Biden was sure to sign it. Once the House speaker made that statement publicly, Republican senators were unwilling to run the political risk of supporting a measure that would not become law, and the Senate bill failed.
Trump, with the assistance of his lackey Johnson, not Congress, is the person who killed what the letter writer calls for: “a humane solution to immigration. One that protects our borders and respects the dignity and humanity of all people, those here and those who desire to enter our country.”
Trump will also be the person who prevents any possible immigration solution for the next three years, since it takes 66.7% of the House and Senate to override his veto.
— Alan E. Krause, Oak Park
Resignation over ‘Go ICE’
Regarding the Feb. 8 article about the West Chicago teacher who resigned after posting “Go ICE” on social media (“Teacher on leave resigns”): The article notes that parents, students and officials felt it was necessary for him to resign so children “feel safe” in the classroom.
How about the woman, believed to be a Chicago Public Schools teacher, who mocked Charlie Kirk’s assassination by using her hand like a gun and putting it to her neck? I didn’t see a call for her resignation reported in the Tribune. Did she even face any discipline?
In my opinion, that was far more egregious than posting “Go ICE.”
— Dave Bohac, Willow Springs
Students using their voices
I was deeply moved by the coverage of several Elgin High School students who courageously staged a walkout to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Seeing young people speak out against racial profiling, deportations without due process and families being torn apart is both heartbreaking and hopeful and a powerful reminder of how urgent this moment is.
When students as young as 14 understand that people are being detained simply because of the color of their skin, it should force all of us to pay attention. These aren’t just policies or statistics. These are real families in our community whose lives are being changed forever.
The fact that nearly 80% of students at the high school reportedly participated speaks volumes. Our youths are recognizing that fear-based enforcement and mass deportations are not justice.
I’m also grateful that the school district allowed students the space to peacefully express themselves and engage in civic action. This is what supporting young leaders looks like. There should be more walkouts like this across our communities as well as more opportunities where students are encouraged to speak up for what is right and stand up for their neighbors.
I applaud these brave students for using their voices and standing in solidarity with their neighbors. History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.
The world is watching, and so is the next generation of leaders.
— Candiss Shumate, Elgin
In detention at our expense
One year ago, they were working people, often with more than one job. One year ago, they were paying rent, buying gas and groceries, and going to church. One year ago, they were paying into a system they would never get anything from.
One year ago, they were contributing to the economy, seeking work and seeking a better life. They were not living off of the government.
Now, 70,000 of these immigrants are living in detention facilities, completely at government expense. At your expense. Public dollars are going to private profit in the most inhumane way possible. What is the cost? What good could that money be used for to improve the country?
Immigrants built this country. My people came from somewhere else, and if you are not indigenous, yours did too. This is pure evil, and the good people of this country will no longer let it happen in our name.
This will end, and our children and grandchildren will look back at this time in horror. Rightly so.
— Jeff Bibik, Chicago
Power versus violence
Robert Pape’s op-ed “Why Tucker Carlson’s civil war narrative is dangerous for America” (Feb. 8) is, if I may say, worthy of praise for its insight and clarity.
We often confuse the distinction between power and violence. Some have suggested that “power” equates to the amount of violence — weaponized, militarized intimidation and warfare — a government has at its disposal in order to impose its will on its own people. For other folks, governmental institutions capable of imposing their will on others without the use of violence — through authority or power legitimized by the will of the people — is where authentic “power” resides.
Thus, if one is willing to casually throw around words such as “civil war,” as Tucker Carlson apparently does, then it is incumbent upon readers to take Pape’s warning seriously.
— Leonard Costopoulos, Dallas, Georgia
Election oversight push
In the current political climate, “nationalization” is often treated as an all-or-nothing proposition, but we are applying it to the wrong sectors of American life. We have our priorities backward: We should be keeping our elections local and our energy profits public.
The push to nationalize election oversight is a solution in search of a problem that would only create a single point of failure. Our current decentralized system — run by local officials and neighbors — is our greatest safeguard against mass hacking or systemic fraud. Local control ensures that voting reflects the needs of the community, not the dictates of a federal bureaucracy. Keeping elections local isn’t about partisan politics; it’s about security through distribution.
Conversely, the case for nationalizing the oil and gas industry is becoming an economic and environmental necessity. Currently, these companies rake in record-breaking profits while socializing their costs through environmental damage and taxpayer-funded subsidies. By bringing these resources under a public mandate, we could stabilize prices for families and direct revenues toward the renewable energy transition rather than private dividends.
Resources found in our soil should benefit the people who live on it, not just the executives who trade it. It is time to stop treating our democracy like a commodity and start treating our energy like a public utility.
— Brad Trom, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
