To the Editor:

Idealists who oppose enforced limits on immigration with over three million Hispanics (mostly from Mexico) arriving per year, rightfully argue that we are a nation of immigrants.

They do not take into consideration that historically, immigrants were those who admired our democracy and wanted to make a new home here and become Americans (learning English).

That is not true of most immigrants today. They come here for money, jobs, know little of the country's history and often retain first allegiance to their native country. Sometimes they even dislike traditional Americans.

This is quite a difference from the past with potential divisive consequences. And the time is growing shorter when Congress can act while the power of minority lobbies steadily increases.

These statements by no means imply that all immigrants behave in this manner. Some of the finest people I know are immigrants who are proud to be American citizens in every sense of the word and I admire and respect them very much.

Aloise McDonald

Federal Way