Letter: Recent DACA cartoon in Albuquerque Journal lacks journalistic integrity

Editor,

I was appalled when I saw that the Albuquerque Journal published an offensive cartoon a few days ago, depicting Dreamers as MS-13 thugs assaulting a conservative couple at gunpoint. It was particularly offensive to me, because I fit into the same demographic as the Dreamers: I was brought to the USA from Mexico by my parents as a little 7-year-old boy in pursuit of a better future. I grew up and graduated from UNM with my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, became a U.S. citizen prior to graduating from UNM and I have always been a productive member of American society.

Not only does that cartoon reflect a lack of professionalism, but also a poor judge of character from the editors of the Albuquerque Journal. What were they thinking when they decided to publish something that would offend nearly half of all New Mexicans?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the mission of a journalist to report the hard facts? This cartoon was very distasteful, insensitive and had no journalistic value at all.

Since the editors of the Albuquerque Journal and the cartoonist seem to be oblivious to the facts about DACA recipients, I would like to list them here.

In a Center for American Progress survey of roughly 3,000 DACA recipients, nine-tenths of respondents said they had jobs.

Furthermore, their average hourly wage was $17.46 per hour, up from $10.29 before receiving DACA.

Thirdly, about 72 percent of respondents attended colleges and universities. After getting DACA, nearly 80 percent of respondents said they got driver's licenses, and half became organ donors.

Most importantly, the Center for American Progress estimated that the U.S. economy would lose about $460 Billion in GDP over the next 10 years without DACA.

Finally, more than 1,800 governors, attorneys general, mayors, state representatives, judges, police chiefs and other leaders signed onto a letter supporting Dreamers and DACA recipients.

If the editors of the Albuquerque Journal fail to provide fair, balanced content to their readers, then they deserve to lose many subscribers in the very near future.

Andres Saenz