I have a problem with your editorial on immigration and racism (Penticton Western, Feb. 22, 2019).
I am an immigrant also but I do share the concerns of Canadians who worry about immigration.
A large number of people are entering Canada illegally and instead of being deported they are being supported financially for prolonged periods of time. Some of them can’t speak either of the official languages even after one year. The people who have chosen to seek legal entry have to wait for prolonged periods of time. The new immigrants are treated better than the indigenous Canadians and the working poor.
It is the injustice of it all rather than race or colour that bothers people. In addition, immigration should be mixed and not focussed on one type of immigrant as it will create ghettos and alienation from the rest of the community.
When we came to Canada in 1966 I started working on my second day here and have never taken a handout from anyone. I wanted to be a part of Canada rather than a member of some ethnic community. If the present immigrants tried to do the same I think there would be less of an outcry.
Andrew Wysiekierski
Okanagan Falls