The lack of historical understanding and irresponsible remarks by people like Xavier Santos regarding the current immigration battle are exactly what makes this issue so hard to solve ("American history illustrates importance of immigrants," April 5).

He states that this is an issue of racism, but completely ignores the fact that most immigrants were discriminated against in some way. Anyone who has taken elementary school history can tell you that Italian, German, Irish and Chinese immigrants (just to name a few) were subjected to extreme discrimination during the 19th and 20th centuries. The issue has almost nothing to do with race, but is simply a desire to maintain the status quo.

He also misses the mark on his comment, "None of us are natives of this country." While that may be true of our ancestors, a majority of the people of this country were born here.

Before blasting others, one should put his thoughts in the proper historical context and research the subject they are discussing, or not speak at all.