Most of us forget that we are the sons and daughters or, more likely the grandsons and granddaughters, of immigrants. Our forebears came to the United States for the same reasons the current people are coming: for jobs and a better life for their children and grandchildren.

The president would not have had to take actions if the House of Representatives would have acted on the immigration-reform legislation that was passed by the Senate on a bipartisan basis last year.

The best way to get more comprehensive immigration reform is for the House to take up the issue and work with the Senate on the bill already passed. If the Republicans want to have any chance in 2016, they need to look at the big picture and work with the president on immigration reform as soon as possible – i.e., now or 2015.

Let’s live up to the promise of our Founding Fathers and work for liberty and justice for all.

Ray Finney

Pagosa Springs