Economic Woes and Immigrants

It’s a shame that Hispanic immigration has been so much a part of newspaper headlines lately. Many blame California’s economic woes on Hispanics but the blame is unwarranted. Many Hispanics, even documented ones, are willing to take jobs that others refuse. Hispanics in Los Angeles outnumber all other ethnic groups in low-paying, non-unionized landscaping and maintenance jobs, and also in manufacturing jobs where toxic exposure and lead poisoning are common. The low cost of labor actually helps the L.A. economy because it makes products and services more competitive.

Who is really harming our economy? We should point fingers of blame at homeowners and factory owners who pay minimum wage or less than minimum wage to Hispanics and then make them scapegoats for everything that is wrong in California.

EDWARD PARADA QUINTERO, Woodland Hills

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Using the INS figure of 3.2 million illegal immigrants that was given in your article (Sept. 6), as well as the figure of 52% of the above living in California, I realized that if one-half of these illegals live in Los Angeles (not too unlikely since that is where most of the people and the jobs are), then 832,000 out of the official 3.6 million Angelenos do not legally belong here. This amounts to close to one out of every four residents (23%).

(Illegal) immigration is like water. Properly regulated as to amount and flow it is a vitalizing asset. As an uncontrolled flood it is simply destructive.

ALBERT R. WECHSLER, Granada Hills

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Years ago, my father joined the U.S. Army and served honorably during World War II in the 442nd Division. But when he returned, he was told that “Japs” weren’t welcomed at a veteran’s housing project. To add insult to injury, he was born here. My parents and one of my grandmothers were natural-born citizens who had been “relocated.” All through our history, we have sought to blame our problems on different minority groups. Now, we seek to blame the illegal immigrant.

The question of illegal immigrants is a complicated one. Gov. Pete Wilson believes that we should deny citizenship, education and health care to illegal immigrants and their children. Others would say that we need to stop employers from hiring illegal immigrants. I sometimes wonder what would happen if we were talking about illegal immigrants from Canada instead of Mexico?

There is no doubt that the issue of illegal immigration needs to be addressed. What I really want to emphasize is this: Let us not make the illegal immigrant the scapegoat of our economic problems. Let us choose not to repeat history. Will depriving children of health care and education solve our problems in the defense industry or base closures? Will focusing of energy on the Hispanic illegal immigrant make all Hispanics suspects? Our great strength is that when we have our backs against the wall, we work harder to solve our problems. Let us spend our energy doing just that and not waste it pointing fingers at others.

CHRISTOPHER KAKIMI, Hacienda Heights

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I have a proposal I believe will appease both sides of the immigration debate. I suggest we completely open our doors and invite all immigrants to our country--but with one caveat: The immigrants and their children and grandchildren will not be eligible for any benefits whatsoever. For three generations, they will not be eligible for Medicare, Social Security, unemployment benefits or welfare. They will have to pay out of pocket for their medical expenses. And, they will need to reimburse the school system for the $5,200 spent on each child annually.

This plan would discourage freeloaders only attracted to California’s entitlement programs. It would also encourage those who want to work hard and expect to pay their own way.

CATHERINE P. RHODES, Los Angeles