A letter to the President

June 15, 2012

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC  20500

Dear Mr. President,

Today you announced that the Department of Homeland Security will “lift the shadow of deportation” for illegal aliens.  Some news outlets report that the details of the policy change will affect 800,000 people across the US.   As a resident of a border state (Arizona) I can only deduce that we will see more than our union’s fair share of this affected population of illegal aliens.  But, I assure you that the implication has a much greater reach when you consider the Americans that are impacted by the policy change. 

Mr. President, I have been unemployed since October 2011.   I compete with dozens if not hundreds of applicants, every time I apply to a suitable open position.   Furthermore, I am not alone.  I have friends that are in the same situation, relying on a single income from our wives to support our families.  Of course, this is all at the expense of our past lifestyle – the American dream that we all covet and are trying diligently to rebuild in a delicate economy.

Your decision will boost the confidence of those that are in this country illegally, adding even more job hungry applicants to the pool of candidates for these jobs.  They’ve already participated in the US education system, and without accountability or consequence for their illegal status, what is to keep illegal aliens from boldly participating in the US jobs market?  In a market that is already saturated with competition, I consider it a personal injury that you would knowingly increase the competition for jobs with people that are in this country illegally. 

As this immigration reform issue continues to be bantered between Congress, the White House and the border state governments (that are actually having to live with the consequences of Washington legislation), the impacts of the political gamesmanship hits the kitchen tables of Americans that are competing with illegal aliens for employment opportunities.  Some say that Americans are too lazy to do the work that illegal’s do – I say, leave that decision to the citizens that are trying to repair their American dream.

If being a “Patriotic” American means that I have to take a back row seat to the illegal aliens in this country as they benefit from unenforced laws and take the jobs of legitimate Americans, well then, you can keep your “Patriotic” accolade – I would have no use for it.

Ironically, my application to the Border Patrol to help enforce our immigration laws was rejected because I applied at the age of 39 years and 10 months – just one month beyond the acceptable age deadline.  In the private sector – this would be considered age discrimination, would it not? 

Sincerely, 

Scott McMahon

PS – In light of the additional competition for employment that is now inevitable, I have attached my resume and would appreciate any efforts you can provide to open a door to a suitable position. 

c:             
Senator John McCain

Senator Jon Kyl

Representative Jeff Flake via email: Jeff@JeffFlake.com

Governor Jan Brewer