Exploited Deaf Immigrants in New York

Re “The West Coast Connection,” editorial, July 24:

I can’t believe your editorial regarding the deaf Mexicans in New York, which compares that situation to other situations in Southern California where “foreign nationals” have been abused and forced to work against their will on “American soil.”

You urge the INS to “move swiftly to investigate whether there is any link between the New York and Los Angeles situations,” which, of course, it should, then go on to say that foremost in the INS’ duties is “protection of innocents.” I know The Times has a liberal editorial staff, but you’ve outdone yourselves this time.

In all of these cases the victims--or “innocents” as you call them--knew they were entering the United States illegally, and they were victimized by their own criminal countrymen, not the U.S. They are not “innocents.”

The duty of the INS is to respect, uphold and enforce U.S. immigration law, and in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, prosecute and deport all illegal aliens and their countrymen who abused them.

My comments aren’t “racist,” and I’m not “immigrant bashing.” Illegal immigration isn’t a race, it’s a crime. It and the multitude of crimes associated with it are tearing our country apart.

CAROL KEELER

Sylmar

How can the United States be expected to ebb the tide of illegal immigration when the Mexican government, which may not encourage it, condones it? This fact was proven, when it was reported that the Mexican consulate was aware of the 57 deaf immigrants living in New York and reassuring family members in Mexico that everything was all right (July 24).

JOHN DWYER

Manhattan Beach

I am responding on behalf of Los Angeles Black Deaf Advocates to your articles that have been published since July 20 about seven people arrested for forcing deaf Mexican immigrants to sell key chains in New York City. We are very enraged at the offensive terminology that has been used to characterize the deaf population as “deaf-mute.”

By definition, “mute” is the inability to speak. Deaf people have the ability to use their voice but because the quality of their speech may be poor or unintelligible, some choose not to use it. Just because they are unable to hear their own voices as well as others does not automatically mean they are mute.

EMMANUEL DADET

LABDA Chapter Representative

Gardena