letters

STILL LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

America's immigrants

As I sat like many of you, sipping morning coffee in comfortable homes with only the average stresses in our lives, I was reading about Elvira Arellano, who hid out in a Chicago church to avoid deportation and separation from her 8-year-old U.S.-born son. She now has been arrested, deported and separated from him (Star Tribune, (Aug. 20).

What would you do if you were in say, Spain, and this happened to you? Why are the laws so difficult for proper immigration into the United States? Is it fear of another 9/11, or is it simple control and bigotry?

My great grandmother was smuggled into the United States from Russia in a gunny sack by my great, great grandfather years ago. I understand that it was a much simpler time, but did all of our ancestors get here legally? I believe we forget America is the land of opportunity and always has been, forged by people looking for a better way and new beginning.

Which is better: to have this country rid of another illegal immigrant, or have an 8-year-old boy lost without his mother?

STEVEN M. GREHL, ST. PAUL

FOR A GOOD TIME

Give mentoring a try

Looking for something useful to do with your spare time? Check out volunteering at your local school.

You don't need any special academic or other formal qualifications -- just the willingness to put in a few hours each week, share the skills and life experiences you have accumulated, and be prepared to accept the heartfelt gratitude and love of some of the nicest kids (and teachers) you'll ever meet.

I've done it for years. I'm almost finished with my back-to-school shopping, and I can hardly wait to meet my new friends. At 71, I consider them my part-time grandchildren and treat them accordingly. It's a cliché, but you will receive at least as much as you give.

WILLARD B. SHAPIRA, MINNEAPOLIS

VOTE IS TODAY AT THE 'U'

Workers want their due

University of Minnesota administrators "mystified" that AFSCME clerical, technical and health care workers aren't totally satisfied with their contract offer ("U's clerical, technical workers union to vote on strike next week," Aug. 15)?

There's really no "mystery" to it: Their latest offer and treatment in general are insulting.

We are offered less than state of Minnesota workers received in their recent settlement. The Legislature appropriated money for both state and university workers in the budget (and AFSCME diligently lobbied to obtain appropriated money for university workers from the Legislature). This is our money, not the administration's. And we need it far more -- our salaries have failed to keep up with inflation, while administrative salaries have gone through the roof.