Mexican Americans’ Right to a Dual Identity

I am sympathetic to Patrick Osio’s idea that the priorities of Mexican immigrants and their children often differ (Commentary, May 3). Yet, as a Mexican American, I know that questions of identity, culture and loyalty are not settled simply.

Mexican Americans may spend summers in small villages with their Mexican grandparents, and return in the fall to American history courses at their universities. They feel at home in both places. I believe that they must have a right to both identities, to both languages, to both nations.

Mexico would not pursue “the whole enchilada”--amnesty and a guest worker program--if economists right up to Alan Greenspan did not agree that the U.S. economy needs immigrant labor. Surely, the Mexican government cannot ask Mexican Americans to “choose” Mexico over the U.S., for the greatest gift they can give Mexico is their bilingualism and their biculturalism. Part of the “whole enchilada” is to include Mexican Americans and their representatives in the Mexican national dialogue. The world I want to live in is one in which Osio, the editor of HispanicVista.com, would address the Mexican government about what matters most to Mexican Americans, on the pages of The Times. Thank you for bringing us one day closer.

Juan Hernandez

Senior Advisor, Office of the President for Mexicans Abroad

Mexico City