EL MOSCO

Bruce Kelley’s article “El Mosco” (March 18) finally portrays an unknown segment of the homeless population--men who do honest work and fill a need in America. Despite the fact that these homeless are not a part of the conventional work force, they do have goals that fill the need for temporary labor in Los Angeles. Kelley captured the magic of the American Dream when he showed the workers as hard-working men who earnestly try to make better lives for themselves and their families in Mexico.

It’s frustrating to realize that these are the people that the Immigration and Naturalization Service and many others would like to see carted back across the border. The men of El Mosco are the very kinds of people that we should want to stay. Better to deport those who abuse the welfare system, sell drugs and refuse to work. The fact that so many Latinos survive the horrendous struggle to get into this country should be enough proof that they are able to add a lot more to this country than some who were born here.

PATRICIA BRUGMAN, Pasadena