Linda Chavez wrote so well what I have been thinking for a long time in her “To be or not to be . . . ” (Op-Ed, April 7).
Why do so many immigrants come to this country nowadays and take from this country without giving back to it? By giving back I mean allegiance, honor, contributions to our society, learning to speak English and assimilation into the American way of life.
Why do these immigrants keep running back to their “homeland” from time to time, taking what they can get in the United States, often at the taxpayers’ expense?
My grandparents became a part of this country even though they were born in Italy. They worked to be great American citizens. Their children and their grandchildren were inculcated with the same ideal.
I strongly believe that the assimilation process my grandparents and countless other immigrants participated in has helped make this country great. I ask myself, Could this greatness be slipping away because of this “enormous shift in both attitude and policy,” as Ms. Chavez so aptly stated in her commentary?
I absolutely agree with Linda Chavez when she says immigrants will miss out on truly being Americans and that the rest of us should insist that citizenship requires undiluted loyalty.
