Immigrants and Learning English

I want to express myself on Proposition 227. I was born in Istanbul, Turkey, by Greek parents, and I was educated in a Greek private school. In Turkey, by law we were to take Turkish lessons every day. I also learned the French language.

As an adult, I moved to Canada. I lived there for seven years and I learned the English language. In Canada you must either speak and understand French or English to become a citizen. I met my French Canadian fiancee, and after we were married we decided to make a lifetime commitment and move to the United States.

It took approximately six months to be approved by the American Embassy to be allowed to enter the United States.

We came to California in 1959, and when we arrived I went to work right away. Within five years, we became U.S. citizens and we also purchased a home where we raised our three sons.

In the beginning, times were very hard but we pulled through it.

I am appalled by the fact that when we vote it does not matter because we have no justice in our voting system. I am at the point that if this does not pass through our courts system, I will never vote again. I agree with the “English only” that we voted for on our ballots.

When anyone enters the United States and intends to stay, they must become citizens and not expect us to cater to them. I know that the times are very different since 1959, but my wife and I have made a lifetime commitment.

The illegal immigrants should have enough self-respect and be proud of becoming Americans.

LEFTER KALEVICOGLU, Elizabeth Lake