Gov. Wilson on Props. 187, 209

It’s interesting that Gov. Pete Wilson (“Governor, GOP Seek to Mend Fences With Latinos,” Sept. 7) would claim that Prop. 187 opponents “blur(red) the differences between legal and illegal immigration” when, in the same issue of The Times (letters), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) writes to extol his landmark illegal immigration reform law and “policies that reward those who come to America to work hard and contribute and discourage those who come seeking a welfare check.”

But illegal immigrants do not get welfare checks. What his so-called illegal immigration reform law did was eliminate Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and food stamps to legal immigrants.

Both Wilson and Rep. Smith seem to have blurred the difference between legal and illegal. Their theories are based on myths that seem to blur their reasoning (or perhaps their theories are for purposes of political expediency).

EILEEN GERSHON

Orange

* On Prop. 209, my question for Wilson is this: How do you want minorities to get a college education? Most minorities do not know anyone who can call the UC chancellor on their behalf. Many minorities do not have alumni who have contributed to UC, who can help them gain admission. Many minorities went to colleges that the UC system considers not up to par with the Ivy League. For law school admissions, Ivy League schools’ graduates and other elite colleges’ graduates were awarded more points just on the basis of the college they attended. Which races can afford the Ivy League schools?

Since minorities are going to be least represented in the UC system, the governor should initiate a state policy that will provide vouchers of an equal amount to UC costs for any minority denied admission to the UC system and gaining admission to any other college or university in the U.S.; after all, we are all taxpayers. I am sure that will minimize the accusation of racism, at least on school admission.

TOYEE OYEWOLE

Diamond Bar