Dual Citizenship for Mexican Americans

Re “Mexican, American as a Single Identity,” by Leticia Quezada, Commentary, Dec. 16:

Leticia Quezada’s column on the benefits of dual citizenship for Americans of Mexican origin treats citizenship as a game rather than a commitment. They leave Mexico for the United States because they find here a society that treats them better and offers economic opportunities, health care, education and public services they could not find in their own country. And now they want dual citizenship so they can choose what they want in both countries? That’s not citizenship, it’s selfishness, switching passports and switching allegiances to the country that suits you best at the moment.

Many people want to come to this country. We have a right to select those who are willing to commit themselves as citizens of this nation without equivocation. Anyone who can’t make that commitment shouldn’t take the oath of citizenship here.

C.M. DEASY

San Luis Obispo

* If it is true that all you want is to be able to retain Mexican property rights, then the correct move would be to change Mexican law to allow noncitizens to own land. I doubt very much that Mexico will extend citizenship to all U.S. citizens. So why should we give this special privilege to Mexicans who want the best of both worlds.

I would like to own land in Mexico too; why am I second-class? Think about it, Leticia Quezada; you can’t have it both ways!

MATTHEW WELKLEY

Los Angeles

* So! Outraged by the recent Mexican congressional action (giving expatriates dual nationality), Dan Stein and his “alarmed activists” at the Federation for American Immigration Reform want the U.S. Congress to pass legislation requiring naturalized U.S. citizens to relinquish their previous nationality (Dec. 12). My question is simple: Why is this happening now?

Dual nationality has never been a problem in this country before. Indeed, many U.S. citizens of Canadian and European birth have retained their original nationalities, without having to give up any of the rights or privileges of American citizens. Is it possible that FAIR wants to deny Mexicans the rights afforded others because of racial considerations?

Let Mr. Stein and his misnomer of a group be forewarned: I, for one, intend to become an American citizen, retain my Mexican nationality and fight alongside my compatriots with every means at our disposal the racism and xenophobia of groups like FAIR.

J. ANTHONY CRUZ

Los Angeles

* I am thrilled by the increased participation of persons of Mexican descent in the recent U.S. elections. An excellent example of Americans exercising their rights. However, dual citizenship and dual voting rights will just continue to foster the Mexican American (and other hyphenated culture) image, which we feel promotes divisiveness. As a “Mongrel American” should I be seeking the right to vote in British, German, Swedish, Native American, etc., elections?

DON BRUNDIGE

San Pedro