Letters to the editor:

Sen. Jeff Sessions' opposing view in Monday's editorial debate on immigration makes some nice emotional appeals but is a bit weak ("Sen. Jeff Sessions: Immigration benefits hurt taxpayers").

I do not see how limiting opportunities for low-skilled workers helps college graduates and teenagers who likely wouldn't be looking for those jobs anyway.

Making legal immigration close to impossible encourages illegal immigration. We need to focus on providing people access to this country instead of simply claiming we "believe in immigration," as Sessions says he does, then slamming the door shut.

I respect that Sessions, R-Ala., may well represent the views of the majority of our state. At the end of the day, though, we have to consider what is practical, as well as right.

Alexandria Gilbert; Montgomery, Ala.

Your editorial on the Senate bill says undocumented workers get nothing for 10 years, suggesting they are not a drain on resources ("Immigration bill plenty strict on benefits: Our view").

You like that word "nothing" so much you devote an entire paragraph to it. Even you admit that immigrants put strains on schools and hospitals. However, you miss the most important point; some of those people getting nothing have babies, and so they do get something immediately. That happened about 340,000 times in 2008. The U.S. is one of only about 30 countries that grant birthright citizenship to babies of illegal immigrants.

The Editorial Board can argue pro or con on the illegal immigration issue. However, your "nothing" argument is something less than cogent.

David Berndtson; Vienna, Va.

If Congress follows the plan to require undocumented immigrants to wait 10 years to get green cards and then become eligible for means-tested benefits, who would be encouraged to apply? Nothing would change.

The USA apparently has not learned from its history in integrating immigrants — even immigrants who came illegally. This is our chance to get it right.

Those unauthorized immigrants already in the country who meet certain requirements should be entitled to benefits as detailed in your editorial, along with a smile and an extended hand of welcome. That is the spirit of America.

J. Michael Steinhardt; Pewaukee, Wis.