Most of our readers will agree that there is a lot wrong with the current system of immigration in the United States of America, but solutions seem few and far between. The National Herald’s Contributing Editor, Constantinos E. Scaros recently published his latest book, Stop Calling Them “Immigrants”: They Are PHIs (Persons Here Illegally)- The Solution Begins with Using the Right Term which explains the problem in detail and sets out to solve it with the first step being to use the “right term” as the title says.

Mr. Scaros begins with a preface that states the immigration problem and then follows that with an introduction in which he recounts his own family history. It may surprise some readers to learn that Scaros’ parents were legal immigrants, that he spoke no English when he started school in New York City, and that his father worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The introduction reads like the start of a memoir and offers a fascinating foundation for the rest of the book.

Though readers may not agree with everything Scaros has to say about the immigration problem and his solutions, they cannot deny that he explains the situation and his ideas clearly and supports his argument with solid examples. His background as an attorney and his familiarity with immigration law is obvious and helps make the case for changing the terms we apply to those persons here illegally, even if the thought of calling someone a PHI, or any acronym, seems dehumanizing. Change is definitely needed.

Should the laws be different for those who willfully enter the country illegally as opposed to those who overstay their visas? Will building a wall actually work? What about the so-called dreamers who were brought to the United States as children, some of whom have no idea that they are not U.S. citizens until they are deported?

Discussing immigration reform often triggers an immediate, extreme response, as we have seen in the most recent presidential campaign. Whether you believe all immigration should be stopped or the entire world should open for everyone to go anywhere, this book presents its case logically and will definitely give you something to think about. There are pros and cons to the extreme responses that have far-reaching consequences for the nation and the economy, and Scaros notes that a practical solution has eluded our elected officials because of an “all or nothing” mentality. Politicians more concerned with their image and staying in office are often unwilling to take on this difficult issue but, as Scaros points out, small changes here and there may be the most effective way to deal with the problem right now. “Stop the bleeding,” he writes and then deal with the rest of the problems.

For anyone interested in immigration reform and how to deal with persons here illegally, Scaros’ book should be on your reading list. Some readers may not agree with all of his conclusions, but so far ignoring the problem has not helped.

Stop Calling Them “Immigrants”: They Are PHIs (Persons Here Illegally)- The Solution Begins with Using the Right Term by Constantinos E. Scaros is available online.