State officials need to focus attention on a common sense approach to immigration with special emphasis on illegal immigration and the negative effects it has on society.

Recently, I received an e-mail from a trusted friend regarding an Associated Press article issued on Oct. 17 identifying a Somali-born woman who came to Maine from Canada. She changed her name, obtained asylum status under false pretenses and used her fraudulent status to obtain more than $120,000 in benefits that included food stamps, student financial aid and Medicaid. She was a former member of the Immigrant Advocacy Project of Maine. She faces deportation after she is released from prison.

In 2004, Gov. Baldacci, supported by the Legislature’s majority party, issued an executive order to provide comfort to individuals and families immigrating to Maine. It’s true that the governor amended his executive order in February 2005 after considerable negative feedback. However, the executive order continues to open the door to misunderstanding by our state agencies and the potential for abuse of our lucrative and liberal benefit packages.

Maine voters are compassionate citizens with a very high tax burden. They want to provide meaningful care for those among us who are less fortunate, but they also expect their government officials to provide “common sense” legislation to protect against terrorism, financial fraud and from an excessive tax burden.

Who is watching out for us?

Len Greaney, Rumford