LETTER OF THE WEEK

Three cheers for Angelique Flores’ article on the Huntington Beach

Adult School (“A Season of Learning,” March 29.) By focusing on the

experience of Diana Rojas-Banes, she brings a story that typifies so many

recent immigrants to the United States.

Yes, this story shows an intelligent, motivated student who wants to

better her life while making a positive contribution to the new society

in which she now lives. This story resounds in adult education programs

and community college credit and non-credit programs throughout the

United States, but is endemic to patterns in California, a state that

commonly attracts more immigrants than many others.

Because of the availability of classes at the Huntington Beach Adult

School, Diana Rojas-Banes found an open door to knowledge and skills

necessary to achieve the “American Dream.” She has studied ESL, GED,

computer classes, and now nursing at Golden West College. Her story is

the goal of many “basic skills” instructors -- to give students the

language and skills necessary to take the next step in their lives,

whatever that may be.

Vice principal Kerry Clitheroe’s comment, “The opportunities are

endless for a student who is as motivated as she is” speaks to the main

reason why so many classrooms today are filled with learners:

opportunity.

Yes, opportunity of the same kind that has brought immigrants to this

country for more than 200 years, opportunities available to all, citizen

and noncitizen, but not taken by everyone.

We need stories like this to remind ourselves that, in general,

immigrants are people who make this country better by taking these

opportunities to achieve and be successful and that people still come

here with the view that America is the land of freedom and opportunity.

Here are a few facts to enlighten those who might think otherwise,

those who view immigrants as a threat to “our jobs,” “our economy,” “our

lifestyle.” Immigration now as a proportion of the population is about

one-third of what it was in peak years. More than half of “illegal”

immigrants (and this includes people from many countries) enter legally

and over stay their visas or permits. Immigrants contribute more to the

public coffers than they take. The average education of new immigrants

has been increasing with each successive cohort group. The proportion of

those with higher education has been trending upward, while the

proportion of those with lower education has been trending downward.

The proportion of immigrants with bachelor’s or postgraduate degrees

is higher than the proportion of the native labor force. First- and

second-generation immigrant children historically do quite well in

school. Immigrants who enter legally through regular quotas are not

permitted to receive public assistance for at least three years. Social

Security and Medicare transfer payments are by far the most expensive by

the government. These payments go almost completely to natives (i.e.,

those born here).

So, the next time you have some global complaint against immigrants or

“illegals,” remember the story of Diana Rojas-Banes, the Huntington Beach

Adult School, your family’s ethnic background, and the facts. They speak

for themselves.

JAMES WILSON

Huntington Beach