To the Editor:
Re “Man Detonates Bomb He Carried Under Times Sq.” (front page, Dec. 12):
Once again many people are making kneejerk remarks about stopping immigration, especially from Muslim nations, because the man who set off the bomb was a Muslim from Bangladesh. My family immigrated here in the 1960s from Pakistan. They, like 99.99999 percent of Muslim immigrants, are hardworking, educated professionals who are now American citizens.
Since we live in a free and open society, it is impossible to stop every attack, just as it’s impossible to stop every mass shooting by a crazed gunman. The more the bigots in this nation are willing to dispose of human rights and rationality in the hope of finding some panacea to the problem of terrorism, the more these attacks will occur here and abroad.
NADIR TAHIR ASLAM
ASTORIA, QUEENS
To the Editor:
It’s time to end “extended family chain migration.” If we allow people to become permanent residents of the United States, should we allow them to bring in their spouse and children? Sure. But this guy was a nephew of someone here. Where does it end? Second or third cousins?
We have enough homegrown nuts running around. Why open the doors so wide that we’re just asking for more? Many will immediately resort to the tired default accusations of racism or Islamophobia. I merely call it a rational and reasonable precaution that should apply equally to people of all other nations no matter their religion or race.
RANDY MINEO
WEST EDMESTON, N.Y.