Immigrants Must Pursue Assimilation

* In his commentary on immigrants (“Latinos Play Role in Realizing Promise of Economic Success,” July 11), Msgr. Jaime Soto writes of many exemplary attributes of the Latino community in our midst. Also, a great many of his points covering the economics of the Latino presence are of unquestionable validity.

I am in agreement that his five points of social policy are desirable and necessary. In fact, I would even enhance upon them, such as increasing the penalties for employer noncompliance with labor law, increasing the minimum wage for certain position categories, mandating minimum employer-provided benefits and requiring equitable enforcement of present immigration law.

So far, so good. But what about the flip side of the coin? Perhaps the monsignor would care to look at some of the responsibilities attendant to a stronger, more positive social policy.

As a balance to the monsignor’s five points, I propose five additional points to form a cohesive whole:

* English only to be taught in the schools to promote first-generation assimilation.

* Harsh penalties for resident aliens and U.S. citizens of any origin harboring known illegals of any origin.

* Automatic deportation of all illegals after a specified date.

* Required English and other citizenship classes for all resident aliens to promote cultural assimilation.

* Mandatory prison sentences for gang, tagging and other destructive activities.

These 10 combined actions of social policy will ensure protection, growth and cultural adaptation of the legal immigrant community while at the same time once again making California the Golden State for all people, the American-born as well as its many fine immigrant citizens.

All immigrants, of whatever origin, must be willing to relegate their native culture to a lesser position than their new, adopted American culture.

Should any not be willing to do this, they do not belong in our midst.

DAVID K. FIEDLER

Laguna Hills