Letters

What I found disingenuous about Mr. Gershon’s letter is his feigned concern for veterans and their families, and his outrage at President Trump’s attempts to secure our borders. Border security is of national importance.

When I was a new police sergeant in 1992 in Spanish Harlem and South Bronx, law enforcement was at the forefront of protecting an immigrant community that was preyed on by a violent segment of that very same immigrant community. What we found, more often than not, was that the gang members and others who would perpetuate evil and vile crimes were illegal immigrants. Sadly, like it or not, not every person who enters the United States is seeking the American Dream — some come with the intent to exploit the freedoms that many of us take for granted.

What I find ironic is that, in April, Mr. Gershon supported Democrats in the State Legislature to enact the NYS Dream Act, which set aside $27 million in tuition assistance for the children of illegal immigrants, but was silent when the same Democratic legislature refused to expand a similar program for kids of deceased and disabled veterans.

Yet after congressional Democrats refused to support strengthening our border and enact a comprehensive immigration policy, leaving President Trump no alternative to re-appropriate defense funds, Mr. Gershon decries the impact.

Mr. Gershon, like many Democrats from the progressive socialist-leaning left, is allied with Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and the lot. Like Mayor Bill DeBlasio, Mr. Gershon’s ideology is anti-law enforcement and detrimental to public safety.

I have personally seen the misery and heartache that evil can cause and have no desire to have a congressman who will advocate policies that make us all unsafe. There are many good people, Republicans and Democrats, who believe in sound immigration policy that secures our borders, supports our first responders and military, in keeping our communities and nation safe from those foreign and domestic who would do us harm.

If you believe that partisan politics are destroying our nation then you need to support a lifelong resident of the 1st Congressional District, Congressman Lee Zeldin, and not the values of New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and the Park Avenue elite.

Manny VilarSpringsMr. Vilar is chairman of the East Hampton Republican Committee — Ed.