CNN's Lou Dobbs would probably be baffled at the argument made by Dr. Paul Harris in his immigration article in The Chronicle ("Take of two Italians shows interesting facet to a long-simmering debate," May 6).

The author would have us believe the historicity of immigration to the United States is essentially circular with the same situation recurring as indicated in his example using Italian immigrants in the 1920s, juxtaposed to the current influx of Latin Americans. However, Dr. Harris omits an important factor that distinguishes the two groups of immigrants - namely, the legality of their actions.

The current "nativist frustrations" mentioned by Dr. Harris are because of illegal immigration. And surely the professor is aware of the revanchist attitudes held by many across the border who see part of the United States as belonging to them.

I share Lou Dobbs' frustration with those who either cannot or will not make a distinction between illegal and legal immigration. Perhaps instead of the Center for Immigration Studies at Augusta State University, Dr. Harris should rename it the Center for Illegal Immigration Studies (and Support?).

Gary P. Bolick, Augusta