I empathize with Martha Vesterlund ("A Right to Understand," Viewpoint, February). Born in the United States and growing up in Brownsville, Texas, I didn't learn English until I was 15 years old. I don't blame the schools; sometimes economics makes it difficult for a family to stay in one place and have the time to learn. I wanted to learn English, but as migrant farm workers for more than 10 years, my family was always on the move, gathering the harvest that others would eat. All we thought about was what we would eat the next day. Now, as a medical interpreter and translator, I see many patients in this same situation and realize that times have not changed.

Elia Trujillo

Lamar, CO

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