In reading Charles Leroux and Ron Grossman’s article “Just trying to fit in” (Page 1, July 3), I experienced a profound sense of irony. Chronicling the challenges facing Mexican immigrants in their struggle toward “the American Dream,” the authors shed light on a radically different world than what politicians would lead you to believe.
The same day the article ran, President Clinton announced he would sign a welfare-reform bill that will deny taxpaying, law-abiding legal immigrants and their families access to benefits ranging from job training and day care to basic safety-net programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. Two days later the House passed English-only legislation under the patently false promise that governmental coercion can ensure that all immigrants assimilate and learn English shortly after their arrival.
The fundamental unfairness of much of the anti-immigrant legislation has caused the president to say that “he has reservations,” and yet he signs a welfare bill that promises to dramatically increase discrimination against immigrants and may limit their chances at success. Chicagoans, many several generations removed from the immigrant experience, should understand that there’s something fundamentally wrong with the premise that immigrants can work hard, pay taxes, send their children to school and college and be active in their communities and yet be denied the same opportunities conferred on the native-born.
Based on Grossman and Leroux’s observations, Chicago’s immigrants will most likely succeed no matter what obstacles our government puts in their path. Rather than succumb to the scapegoating and mean-spirited attacks on immigrants being led by both parties in this election year, we should celebrate the courage, tenacity and sense of renewal that immigrants bring to our city and country. Only then will our consciences be clear.
