Clinton on Immigration

Re “Clinton Hails Benefits of Immigration to America,” June 14: The American people were not asked to approve the current high levels of immigration; whenever they have been given a chance (as in Props. 187 and 227), they have overwhelmingly been in favor of changing the present system.

It is obvious that the current high levels of immigration are driven by an unholy alliance between employers who want low wages and the federal government, which needs young workers to shore up an unsound Social Security system. What they will get is the balkanization of the U.S.

JOHN R. CARTER

Woodland Hills

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In your article President Clinton is quoted as calling on native-born Americans to extend more tolerance toward newcomers while asking that immigrants, in return, abandon foreign ways. On the same page (“Dual U.S.-Korean Nationality Nears”), South Korea reportedly will join Mexico in letting its citizens hold U.S. citizenship simultaneously. This completely contradicts becoming fully American. One cannot hold allegiance to a foreign government and at the same time fully participate in our society.

President Clinton needs to take a leadership role along with Congress in addressing this. To remain silent on the issue will only serve to have his previous comments on immigration be perceived as political doublespeak.

ROBERT McKAY

Van Nuys