Letter: Americans should give others a chance

Thursday, May 4, 2006 | 7:31 a.m.

I am an American citizen by birth. I didn't do anything to get into this club except "show up" at the hospital delivery room. I can understand why so many others want in. It's a great place to live and work.

It took my father years to attain his citizenship. And my wife had a hell of a time getting her visa here. We did it all completely legally and you know what? I don't wish that kind of struggle on anyone else. Especially those trying to escape hardship in their own countries and coming here to better their lives. Why should anyone wait months or years to join their family, or find decent work? Why should we deny them that?

If we don't like the steady influx of new workers (I don't mind it at all, personally), then we should recognize what brings people to leave their families and homelands, and begin to address our own culpability in that. Free trade agreements, IMF austerity measures and structural adjustment programs are all things that make life incredibly hard in poor countries and much more attractive here.

We should also consider that we are all "guest workers" here. Unless of course you are an American Indian. Then you might have some legitimate complaints about how newcomers respect your people and your lands.

Tony Mitre, Las Vegas