The Baltimore Sun and all the local news outlets made a big deal about the one lone Englishman committing identity theft so he could stay in the country illegally ("Man posing as U.S. citizen arrested at BWI," July 16).

Yet thousands of illegals have been doing this for years, and it is barely discussed. Identity theft is a prison level felony. I'm pretty sure that someone who is living the nightmare of having their identity stolen or a woman who can't get widow benefits because the identity thief is using her dead husband's information doesn't really care that their or their loved one's birth certificate or Social Security number has been stolen because the thieves "just want a better life."

Aside from identity theft, numerous illegals commit another kind of identity fraud. They fabricate an identity and back it up with forged and falsified documents (also a felony).

Why does this matter? Because an individual using an imaginary identity is just as untraceable as one using a stolen one. If a crime is committed, how can law enforcement track a person who doesn't exist? How can they be sued in civil court? How can they be found by, say, an insurance company if they skip town after they hit your car? Identity theft and fraud undermine everyone's safety and well being.

If The Sun wants to be fair and balanced I suggest a nice long article about the problem including how many illegals are actually charged and prosecuted for identity theft as any native here certainly would be.

Hopefully state Del. Pat McDonough will introduce his illegal immigration bill before the election. Voters need to rid this state of legislators who give illegals a free pass or slap on the wrist for breaking laws citizens must obey.

Michelle Alston, Baltimore