When searching the Knox County Sheriff’s Office website for a phone number, I came across the photo file of recent arrests. Among those were 20 or more who were jailed on immigration charges − mostly young men and a few women. Their faces showed the fear and disappointment they were feeling. For the majority their only charge was immigration related, not the criminals that immigrants are often portrayed to be. There were only two who were being charged with other serious crimes, and rightly so.
In contrast, there were American citizens, who had the good fortune of being born in the USA, who were charged with robberies, DUIs, drug dealing, assault, domestic abuse and other such crimes.
The immigrants are the ones working and trying to build a better life. In my opinion the wrong people are being deported.
James Campbell, Knoxville, 37919
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Letter: We’re deporting the wrong people