Printed October 30, 1985
Editor:
I was concerned to read your Oct. 25 article about the seven UNM students who, using the American flag as a backdrop, asked Margaret Randall to leave our country. Our flag should stand for democracy, and a true democratic society encourages the free expression of ideas.
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service’s decision to deport Margaret Randall affects all of us. First of all, why should a foreigner be treated as a second-class person in the United States? Secondly, if non-citizens are deported for their beliefs, what could be the next step? Remember the McCarthy Era! At that time, many United States citizens also had no free speech. If we don’t organize against such undemocratic actions now, whether or not they concern a U.S. citizen, it will be too late when citizens of the United States are affected by the anti-democratic trends that are happening in this country!
Joanna de Keyser
UNM Professor
