Hard Lesson Learned in Illegal Immigration

Re “Student Seeks Her Salvation in Immigration Bill,” June 28: Sara’s story is very touching. It wasn’t fair that her parents brought her here illegally, or that they decided to have five children they couldn’t afford to raise, or that her mother is ill, or that her teachers didn’t explain the truth to her and others about scholarships for illegal immigrants. What has been fair about the country and government she criticizes so strongly is that she has been given a free education from kindergarten through 12th grade and the possibility of accomplishing her dream of attending college.

Many American citizens couldn’t afford the tuition of a school like UC Berkeley. Children of American citizens often work during high school to assist their families and attend community colleges before attending a university. American citizenship doesn’t automatically grant you immunity from hardship. What freedom provides in America is the ability for anyone to achieve his or her goals through hard work and dedication, a point that somehow Sara’s teachers haven’t explained. Living here is not a right but a privilege. As a taxpayer who provides the funds used by the state and federal governments to provide services to illegal immigrants, I will strongly oppose the passing of Rep. Howard Berman’s (D-Mission Hills) proposed bill.

Judy McLaughlin

Simi Valley

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It is indeed a great shame for young Sara not being able to afford the high cost of a college education, but to blame the United States for it is not the answer. This nation was founded on laws, which everyone must adhere to. Sara’s parents did indeed violate the law by entering this country illegally; now Sara must pay the price. Her parents could have done what thousands of others have done in the past: apply for a legal visa. They chose not to do this. The law is simple in this case. We do not reward lawbreakers.

Sara laments her current situation by saying that it’s completely unfair. She does fail to mention how unfair it is to U.S. citizens and legal residents that her presence and that of others like her have added to the overcrowding of Los Angeles schools, not to mention how her being accepted to UC Berkeley may have prevented another student from being accepted. That is unfair.

The real culprit to be blamed for this mess is the Mexican government. It has failed to do more for its own people, so many are forced to illegally cross the border.

Shawn McTarsney

El Monte