http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_3844856

Article Launched: 05/20/2006 12:00:00 AM MDT

English proposals vex some in El Paso
By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times

Several El Pasoans said Friday that the Senate proposal to make English the official language in the United States may not be practical for a U.S.-Mexico border community and could result in discrimination against non-English speakers.

Two competing English-language provisions were adopted by the Senate on Thursday, but lawmakers said the bills could change once they put the final touches on this year's immigration overhaul.

The Senate approved an amendment sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., that would declare English the national language.

The Senate also approved an alternative proposal sponsored by Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., designating English the nation's "common and unifying language."

"English should be the official language, but such a law should not restrict people from speaking other languages. Immigrants ought to be encouraged to learn English, but it should not be forced," said Donald Derryberry, a retired federal civil service employee who moved to El Paso in the 1950s. "Some people who don't understand Spanish and hear others speak it are afraid the Hispanics are going to take over the country. But some Hispanics were here long before anyone else came here."

Fernando Garcia, director of the Border Network for Human Rights in El Paso, said the language issue could lead to discrimination. He also said that he is glad about the Senate's progress on immigration reform but that he opposes the use of National Guard soldiers to patrol the border and the building of more fences on the border.

"English is the main way to connect and unify, but not at the exclusion of others," said Garcia. "It's an anti-immigrant response that can lead to discrimination. We've seen attempts at this in the past, and such a law would not reflect our diversity. We don't know what impact it might have on bilingual education."

Jesus Saavedra, district director of El Paso's chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said he was not familiar with the proposal's details and was concerned about how it could affect bilingual education in the region.

"Maybe it came about because of the (recent) controversy over the U.S. national anthem being sung in Spanish," he said. "We've been in favor of citizens learning English, but we also support bilingual education programs, and I'm sure some school districts will be concerned."