Your editorial "An international city" (Feb. 20) suggests that Baltimore's vacant and abandoned properties be offered to the expanding immigrant population and then asks, "shouldn't Baltimore be making more of an effort to reach out to the thousands of Latinos coming to Maryland?"

What makes Latino immigrants more important than Baltimore's native-born citizens who are struggling with homelessness and home foreclosure?  Why not reach out to them? What about the U.S. citizens who are now renting and would like a home given to them by the city? It appears that The Sun is promoting ethnic favoritism.

Any offer of housing help by Baltimore City should be contingent on proof all the recipients of such assistance are legal residents of the United States. Baltimore is already considered a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Because of the cost of supporting illegal immigrants and their families, the consequences of not having a legal residence requirement will only make the city's financial woes worse.

Ron Wirsing, Havre de Grace