Educating Illegal Immigrant Children

* Immigration reform seems to have put me in the uncomfortable position of confessor-figure for two guys about as far apart as two people can be--my congressman and my next-door neighbor, Rudy.

My congressman, Elton Gallegly, got to use the Commentary page (May 14) of The Times to defend his proposal to kick illegal immigrant children out of public schools--along the way, defending himself against those who smell more than a whiff of bigotry in all this high-minded Anglo hysteria.

The defense of my neighbor Rudy was a more private thing, coming late at night when we were both pulling into our driveways after work.

Rudy’s English is not so good. It took me a second to understand what he was telling me: His family was going back to Mexico soon. He knew that I, his white neighbor, would want to know. He was embarrassed when he said this. He wanted me to understand that he wasn’t like all those Mexicans I’d heard about during debates on “immigration reform.”

His family wasn’t here to live off welfare. He takes care of his family. He is a hard-working guy who pays taxes just like I do.

I stood there in the dark for a long time after Rudy went home. I was ashamed of myself, and ashamed of my culture.

Rep. Gallegly, I believe you when you say you’re not a bigot. Let’s just say you’re a real smart guy who finds bigots extremely useful. But I think it is important for you to add this fact to your political calculations: Rudy is my neighbor. I like Rudy. I like Rudy better than I like you.

RICHARD WADHOLM

Sylmar

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* Does our Simi Valley representative really think that the children of the illegals came to this great nation of their own free will? Does he think that by withholding education he will foster a group of immigrants that will some day fit into our society as wage-earning citizens? What does he say except that “they” are overcrowding our schools and we should not offer them free education? But isn’t it a civil obligation in our land that all children receive an education?

If indeed the illegals entering our borders enjoy civil rights, then I see no reason for their children to be deprived of a reasonable education. Measures such as Proposition 187, even in its unconstitutionality, have done more damage than good in driving ethnics apart.

Perhaps, if the governments of our southern neighbors could better support their citizens, they would be more apt not to see greener pastures. But, until that time, we are probably going to have the obligation to educate the children of these immigrants.

SIDNEY C. SINGER

Los Angeles