Sir: Immigration was a hot issue during the recent election campaign for US presidency. A wall along the US border with Mexico, registry of Muslims, and extreme vetting of Muslim refugees were offered as solutions to the problem. Border walls, including Roman England’s Hadrian Wall and the ancient China’s Great Wall, have rarely obstructed determined individuals. Also erecting and maintaining them can be extremely expensive. Unfortunately US policies sometimes force foreigners to leave their homes. Also U.S.-led trade agreements and anti-drug drives have wrecked indigenous economies in Mexico and have turned barrios there into battlegrounds. Therefore many Mexicans have run to the United States. Besides, conflicts in the Middle East and recent U.S.-led military campaigns there have made people to flee their homes. However, a large majority of the Middle Eastern refugees are living in camps in the neighbouring countries. Only a small percentage of them have sought refuge in the United States. Finally, regardless of their legal status, immigrants have made significant contribution to the life and growth of the United States, according to the Leadership Conference. Annually, they contribute $10 billion to the country’s economic growth. And the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine has determined that immigrant workers contributed almost $2 trillion, just in 2015-16. And irrespective of circumstances which brought them here, immigrants deserve humane treatment, in the land of immigrants, which United States is. PRITAM K ROHILA Via Email