Don't force them to swear allegiance to a flag if that's not what they want

Sent to the Washington Post, May 2, 2006, destiny unknown

Sir, while reporting on immigration (your front page today May 2) one frequently see “foreign illegal workers” used a synonym for “illegal immigrants” and they are not, and it seriously confuses the debate. Foreign illegal workers, the majority, come to the USA primarily to get a job, to earn some money and be able to go back to their homeland, and the illegal immigrants are those that come with the clear purpose of staying. Forcing “foreign illegal workers” to swear allegiance to the flag, just so they can get a job, is a wrong way to solve the problems. The fact that Americans love their own country so much should not preclude them from understanding that other can also love their own country, just as much.