Letter: Mexican land was purchased legally

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Saturday, May 13, 2006 | 7:08 a.m.

All this whoop-de-do about Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States has reminded me of something I learned in a class taken years ago.

On the subject of expansion of the U.S. (from sea to shining sea), I remember the Guadalupe / Hidalgo Treaty of 1846, which officially ended the paperwork following the War with Mexico. It called for the purchase of land that now is totally or partially Texas, California, Nevada, New Mexico and a lot more.

Now I am wondering: If the U.S. government accepts the illegal immigrants on the basis that - OK, maybe it was your homeland so come on in - will the Mexican government give us back the $15 million we bought it for?

Also, if these Southwestern states are their old homeland, what are they doing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc.?

Several generations ago, members of both sides of my family came to the USA after waiting their turn and being documented at Ellis Island. Not one of them walked in after climbing a fence or wading a river.

Lucille Matyas, Las Vegas