I would also like to address some of the other misconceptions about illegal immigration. Many assumed all those in the protest march were here illegally. Citizens and legal residents also took part. Those complaining about the “Aztlan� radicals need to realize they are a small part of the protesters and of the community.

Several writers suggested that the people return home and reform their “rich� country. Mexico has fewer resources than we have and many problems that we don’t. It has no big Midwest breadbasket to feed the world and make it rich. Much of the country is either desert or jungle.

Some complained about the difference in Mexico’s enforcement of immigration laws compared with ours. Mexico’s economy is about one-eighteenth the size of ours. It does not have enough jobs. Obviously, it has to have tougher immigration laws than we do.

People complained about signs indicating that illegals helped build America, but it is true. It seems to be human nature to look down at those we consider inferior — for example, calling illegals “criminals.�

Breaking the immigration laws is a civil infraction, the same as a traffic ticket. I haven’t seen people who get a traffic ticket called “criminals.�

I acknowledge that there are many problems caused by the influx of illegal aliens. I would just like to see a more rational discourse and less name-calling.

— Alex Magdaleno, Camarillo