Editor,
Is Dawn Wilson just mean spirited or a liar? I do not know why Dawn Wilson spread so much deceitful venom in the Hollister Free Lance (April 20, 2006), but her message was clear, that Mexicans are an opportunistic burden on America. She turns the truth on its head by characterizing immigrants in every negative caricature that she could imagine.
Contrary to what Dawn Wilson would invent, immigrants have always made important contributions, economically, politically and culturally to this nation. To simply label them as “illegal,” and argue that they are criminals is overly simplistic and ignorant. Did anyone ask Native Americans if settlers could steal their land? No. From the point of view of Native people all European settlers could be considered illegal immigrants.
If you want to play the “nativist” game, you could argue that only indigenous people of North America (Mexico is in North America, and nearly all Mexicans have indigenous ancestry) can actually claim this land. So who is the foreigner? The history of the United States and history of immigration is extremely complex. Whipping up national chauvinism, racist hysteria and xenophobia is not going to improve anyone’s understanding of this society.
The truth is that immigrants come here and perform honest work that many people will not do. Many pay taxes but do not claim tax returns. Most do not utilize social services or health services for fear of being deported. Immigrants pay taxes and deserve the same services as any taxpayer.
The message of the recent protests and boycotts is simply that immigrants are human beings and many are economic refugees who are searching for work to feed their families. Many people of the United States have a schizophrenic relationship with immigrants, especially since this is a nation of immigrants, where they need immigrants and despise them at the same time. Immigrants are exhausted from being targeted with hatred and being scapegoated for all the economic ills of the U.S. Immigrants are not criminals.
Joe Navarro, Hollister
