Animosity to immigrants is dangerous

To the editor:

I support the immigrants who protested last week. I feel they work harder than most citizens. Illegal immigrants take those jobs that Americans do not, those they feel are beneath them. The United States ought to support them. We need immigrants. In case anyone forgot -- as I believe they have, judging by their horrible opinions -- our country is one founded by immigrants. This new animosity our political system is pushing on its constituents is dangerous. Remember the violence of the civil rights movement? Illegal immigrants toiled to get here. As a people, we have a responsibility to work with them. And most importantly we need to respect them.

CATHERINE HAYWARD, Cape Girardeau