March 28, 2006
-
Immigration
Immigration is brewing as a hot topic in our country right now. We have approximately 11 million illegal Mexicans in our country right now. There are people that are suggesting a tough approach to this illegal immigration issue. Some believe that illegal immigration should be a felony instead of a misdemeanor. Others are suggesting a fence on the boarder. Still others are suggesting tightening the border with more security on the border.
Others are suggesting a softer approach to the immigration issue. They are suggesting providing amnesty to the illegal immigrates and providing a way for them to become citizens. The opponents to this idea are afraid that it rewards illegal activity.
Should the United States provide amnesty to current illegal immigrates in order to get control of the illegal immigration issue?
Comments (191)
yes
Hmm…
I’d say yes.
No- it would just cause more troubles.
No
Yes.
No
no
yeah.
Yes. Most immigrants do not want to become legal because their family is still in their country & they dont have the money. I think that if they got help with these things, it would cause much less trouble. My dad was an illegal immigrant when he first came to America some 20 years ago I think, and the reason he didnt want to become legal is because of family.
We have friends from KENYA who worked very hard to become AMERICAN citizens the right way, it’s not fair to come here illegally, it spits on the lives of those who followed the laws…why do we have laws if we aren’t going to follow them?
Isn’t this country all about freedom, and a better life? Why should we turn them away, when it’s what we’ve been offering people all along? ‘Come to America! Your free here!’ Yet, when people do come, we make it impossibly hard, or flat out turn them away.
Dan.. you think too much.
I’m not sure. I agree with FrostedFlake, you think too much.
Hi Dan,
Here’s a diff answer…Hell yes!!
Candy
I don’t understand xyox justification of not wanting to become legal but umm ok.
If we do allow amnesy…we still need to change how we are handling illegals. Without change whats the point.
Also the # 11 million is not an exact number. No one knows the exact number and depending on where you stand on the issue, the estimate is different. Some people count all the illegals that are deported and then figure out a ratio of how many are not caught. But this includes people who are caught multiple times. Therefore, the actual # of illegals may be actually lower. Illegal immigrants don’t really do any harm. They work the low paying jobs no one wants. They may not pay their whopping income tax, but they pay tax in the way of sales tax. But they do not take away from the system either. They do not collect social security or welfare. Also most are afraid to use federal help, because they are afraid of being deported.
I think if there is a crime committed by an illegal immigrant then they should deported. but there is no simple answer.
NO!!! I think we need to be tougher when it comes to immigration. It’s a matter of national security. If we don’t tighten up on the border who knows what kind of terrorists could enter the country at any time! If people want to live here, have them do it through the right channels. You can’t reward lawbreakers!
no
Did you see the Colbert Report last night? “1 million illegal immigrants crossed our border in thirty minutes!!”
But for serious. I was in Phoenix during the protest, so I was trying to read all the local newspapers and talk to the local people… the problem is that most people just lump immigrants with green cards and workers permits in with “illegal” which is completely unfair.
On the other hand, the argument that “if a family has been here for more than x number of years, they should be considered legal, or we should allow them to stay” is like saying “this man has been committing murder for x number of years, and look how dedicated he is, we should let him stay out of prison.” Illegal is illegal, no matter what number of years you’ve been able to get away with it.
I say grant them oppurtunities for citizenship and in a year and a half’s time they need to have a job and need to have a decent grasp on the English language. I have nothing against immigrants. I say, “Come on.” There are some jobs Americans aren’t going to do so why hold it against them if they go out there and get jobs?
you can’t reward rule breakers.
Have you already brought up outsourcing?
Yes. Even if we stop immigration entirely, people will still find a way to get into America.
if my family was to read this i would probably be disowned since my mother and her family is from mexico but i say no. arent they driving up health care costs when they go into the hospitals with no insurance? doesnt that affect all of who are paying higher premiums? im no expert on the issue and maybe i need to do more research but i am pretty sure they affect our taxes in many ways also.
amnesty for the big bosses who employ them?… they don’t come to break laws or take from us… they come seeking a better life for their families…. same reasons our ancestors did. Peace to the Earth, tony
Tough question.I don’t know….there are pros and cons to either way.
no
War on Mexico. We’ll say we need “living space” or something. They can’t illegally cross the border if they’re within the border. Better do Canada too, to back up the living-space routine. Better take all those islands in the gulf, too. Finally get Puerto Rico to stop flip-floping and take that Fidel jerk down. Once that’s done, we can take over that southern part of America. Right off the bat, make Brazil speak spanish like their neighbors for once. Then make them all speak English. Especially Brazil.
Why is it when immigration comes up the first thing out of everyone’s mouth is Mexican? This law will effect all immigrants, Vietnamese, Cuban, Iraqi, ect….
and yes.
yea…I think immigrants should be welcomed, and unless we extend a hand to them they will continue to break our immigration laws. if we love freedom so much…
Yes. I’ve read a lot about people saying that illegal immigrants make up a huge number of the work force here and that many of the buildings wouldn’t be built if they were not here. They only get those jobs because they’re cheap labor!! Of course, employers are going to go with them instead of paying a citizen to do it. If they weren’t here, the jobs would go back to us. And aren’t they the ones coming over and taking our social security? Like Bush said…We’re a country built of immigrants and a country of laws. If they want to be over here, they need to become citizens…the legal way. Period.
no
Today we have citizens and illegal aliens hitting the streets, after they had the audacity of breaking the law to get here, in protest claiming they have a right to bankrupt 60 hospitals in California and along the border states for the ‘common good’, that they have a right to American tax dollars. I betcha my paycheck none of the citizen idiots marching along side the illegal aliens have ever joined a march thanking America for their freedom. They scream in our streets demanding the system give to them and accept them yet they wave the national flag of Mexico, a country so corrupt and poverty stricken they embarked on a journey to the States. They go shouting slogans from La Raza (meaning “The Race”) and reconquista. They demand you honor their righteous thievery like good little ‘liberals’. Something for nothing. Open your eyes people! http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004848.htm Tammy Bruce noted on FOX News this morning that American flags were burned at the LA rally and marchers also held signs of the North American continent with America x’ed out.
This issue is a huge burden on the border states. We are already paying the bill for schooling and healthcare here in CA so why not. If we send them all back to mexico they or others will reappear in short order. Let’s keep the ones we have, and then shut the door tight.
No. No. No way. Let France take care of them.
35th!
No, what would that say about the people who became citizens the legitimate way? It just wouldn’t be fair.
twilight, no one’s saying to turn them away, we are having saying, do it the right way, follow the procedures, like the millions before them have!
I have so many mixed feelings on the issue. So MANY of the HIGH school students are protesting near me. I think we need a kind and gentle approach. We need to stop them from getting in. Because once they are in we have to have some responsibility for them.
* strike “having” from my most recent comment.
i think so, but that wouldn’t solve the entire problem. i think that there’s never going to be any one idea that solves the problem. it’s just too big of an issue.
Normally I sit and ponder…..THIS one to me requires no thinking……Dan, it is obvious…….do you not have SWARMS of them all over the darn place by you….hanging out at every local 7-11 each day hoping to be picked up for cheap “day labor”?????….because we do here in NY. And I happen to think that it steals jobs from AMERICAN workers….and lowers their pay scale. EVERYONE goes to “grab a Mexican” here by me, to get a tough job done cheaply…….. SEND THEM HOME…….FELONY!!!!!!! Adios!
Granting amnesty to the current illegal immigrants is only a short-term solution. It doesn’t change anything or solve any problems, other than that we don’t have to worry about them being “illegal” anymore– but they’re still here, and more will continue to come.
I’m somewhat torn on this issue. Many people (esp here in california, where there’s lots of immigration from mexico) are totally against taking away any rights or priviledges from illegals. A couple years back there was a threat to forbid illegals to have drivers liscences. My place of work at the time had many mexicans and I didn’t feel comfortable voicing my opniion b/c I think I would’ve been labelled as a racist or something– but honestly my thoughts were “how can you give a legal document to an illegal resident?”
I think instead of getting softer on illegal immigrants we should be making it easier to make them legal to begin with. Make it easier for people from Mexico to apply for and get green cards and visas. They’re gonna come anyway, you might as well put provisions there to help them.
As long as Mexico is f’ed up (they love our safety valve of letting people come here, it prevents them from having to solve their own national problems), we’re going to get immigrants, and we’re probably gonna get illegal ones. We have to come up with viable long-term solutions to deal with it.
I think it’s very easy for “upper class” people to say yes to this, myself included. I don’t have to worry about Mexicans taking my job. However my boyfriend does and it affects him greatly. It’s great that they can come here and start new lives, but not at the expense of those who are already here….
I’m really not sure about my answer to this question…. I think it’s unfair of me to give either answer because this decision affects different groups of people, depending on whether it’s yes or no, and I am not in either category. All I know is that there is no easy answer and that someone suffers for the decision either way. It really is just a bad situation.
HELL NO!
I see the point pros to the President’s desire. It would give us a record for those that are in the country. But we shouldn’t simply reward people that flaunt our law. We are a nation of law and must have some respect for that law, as well as take our laws seriously if we are going to expect our laws to be followed. I’m not a fan of Neil Boortz, but I like the fair-tax plan he proposes. He made a good point today about how that would have a strong effect on illegal
immigration.
no no no
I agree with some of your readers–deport the Mexicans!
And while we’re at it, let’s deport the Jews and the Gays too!!!
simple solution.
take over mexico.
problem solved.
damn, i’m good.
stop being empty and close minded. educate yourselves. educate your opinions. experience before you judge. understand before you condemn.
amnesty for current illegal immigrants who within the next month apply for citizenship, otherwise, boot their asses and penalize their employers
no
This ALWAYS happens when the economy is down – have to find someone to blame. After all THEY are tsking jobs away from US.
Very few actually see that the jobs are jobs no one wants to do, very few see the benefits these people are doing – many of them have two or three low payng jobs so they end up paying two or three times the amount of taxes the average person pays.
Have them work on getting citizenship – take English classes, take whatever clases they need to take to be citizens, and, when accomplished, have them become citizens.
I think we need to allow amnesty. But they should have to work for that amnesty, I’m not saying just make them all legal.
Deport or kill them now.
america has a huge problem with the illegal immigrants, especially mexicans. one of the suggestions is to build a “great wall” of sorts to keep the mexicans out.
well whos gonna build the wall?
THE MEXICANS!
Alot of kids at my school walked out today to protest the immigration law. I wasn’t one of them because I was on a field trip. But I think that if these immigrants are considered by the government to be “illegal aliens” and “NOT citizens” so if they aren’t considered citizens because they’re “illegal” then aren’t we contradicting ourselves by trying to constrict them under our laws? Plus its not just mexicans, it’s all kinds of people like russians and portuguese and stuff.
<3
ok here’s the thing. . .i think that if you’ve built a decent life for yourself here, you ought to take a citizenship test and become legal (i’ve heard that it’s a hard test and most americans couldn’t pass it, so perhaps we could revise it) also, i think that it might be nice if part of the citizenship process would include a basic course in english. it would just be pleasant if a working knowledge of the english language (not total fluency) could be required for immigrants wishing to become legal.
i am completely and totally for increasing border security for a number of reasons including but not limitted to a growing problem with child prostitution rings traveling up from mexico (and it makes me so upset that there’s even enough of a market up here to finance it).
also there is the entire illegal part of it.
i think that if we’re going to be harsher on the illegal immigrants, we should also make sure that it isn’t just about mexicans (i wonder how many illegal immigrants we have living here from random other places. . .i personally have known several).
Ugh. I get frustrated with this issue. Here is how I feel about:
If they are going to come over here, they need to do it legally. I understand their country sucks, but America can only do so much. I am not against them coming here. I am against them coming here illegally. There are too many people who have had to earn their citizenship the right way and I feel illegal immigrants are NO exception. If they do come here then they need to learn to speak our language and adjust to our customs. I also do agree with building a gate or wall at the border. I mean how many Americans are lacking jobs because of illegal immigrants that are working for lower wages? I am not prejudice, in fact one of my best friends is Mexican….. and she agrees with me. So NO, NO, NO. They need to earn their rights here, just like everyone else.
no! they’re here… they’re not supposed to be… (hence the illegal in the name) … why should we go soft on them now… if they wantt to become americans… they need to follow our rules….
Uh….NO! If you didn’t apply and go through the legal way to come…then get out! Why would any country want people to stay in it that don’t respect its laws. We’ve already got enough people who are legally here that have not respect for our laws…we don’t need any more.
So…Bye…Bye…Bye! ::sung in my best boy band impersonation::
no idea
* we are still having imigration protests today…students are leaving class and storming city hall to protest…
idk um i think that they shouldnt be allowed in our country unless they have a really good reasony an they should have 2 pass certain tests an health exams first they should also probly learn english!!!
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES!! illigal immigrants should not be rewarded for breaking the law…however i also don’t think that tightening secuity is the solution either…in fact i think the best way to deal with the problem is to eliminate it…as in help mexico become a more economicly stable and able country so that the US doesnt look as good because the mexicans have it good as well…yes that seems impossible…however it may be the only solution…if we tighten security more will say “oh wow so those greedy americans think they are so good huh? well i can still get past that stupid gun man/climb over that fence!” but if we grant amnesty then its as if we are saying “come, there is no penalty to breaking the law!!”
No, And regarding the protests…
Our school district had over 1,000 high school kids walk out… My sister knew some of the kids swimming in the Dallas City Hall fountain… Guess they really made a statement, eh?
*A*
No way! Why should they get it when everyone else has to go through a naturalization process to become a citizen? I say treat them all the same, an illegal immigrant from ANYWHERE – not just Mexico or other latin areas but Candadian, Austrailian, Indian, Greecain, etc. If they are caught without documentation then it should be a felony and they should be deported. If they have it, then good for them. If they become citizens, more power to them. I have no problem with anyone making a better life for themselves, but do what is legal and right and there will be no problems.
you can’t stop them, so just let them stay…except for the ones causing all of the trouble…they can leave…and Canadians too…well, except for Wayne Gretzky, Eric Gagne, Ryan Dempster and Mike Meyers…the actor not the baseball player…sorry Mike
I prefer illegal immigrants around. They’re loyal, dedicated, don’t mind cooking and cleaning. they win, i win. govt is just pissed cuz of the tax issues.
America has always had an issue with immigrants and I think that’s where Canada beats them. Not that immigrants or minorities have much of an edge in the corporate world. The elite should understand that the first generation immigrants and their progeny that assimilate with western culture is just as capable and smart as rest of middle class America.
I don’t think amnesty is the way to go. That seems like the government can’t control it so they pretend it was there idea or something. Do you know what I mean?
NO. I have no problem with them coming into the country legally, but when they come illegally and then become angry at Us for not making them citizens, it makes me so angry.
29.5 years ago, i was brought to america as an “illegal alien.”
now, as a naturalized citizen, i’m thankful that my family didn’t face the harshness of many who’ve commented here. we came here with dreams of freedom & opportunity…sadly, i care more for my community & this country than many who are able to run for the presidency of the u.s.–just b/c they were born in this country.
so, i say, let this country not be divided further w/ this nonsense…otherwise, we are undermining the fabric of “american” existence…
let them stay
health insurance issue…yes we have to offer health for free, but if we are to go to a foreign country and get sick they would have to offer the same.
No, Regan went out on a limb and tried it and it unfortunately back fired.
If you tell someone that if they do something that you will penalize them and then they do it and you don’t penalize them, will they believe you next time?
Declaring amnesty is a sure way to turn the snowballing problem of illegal immigration into a landslide.
I love the Mexican people by the way, but I think we have to enforce our laws.
L,r
There are a lot of things within that issue. It isn’t simple.
No. Generally speaking, those who break the law should not be given blanket amnesty. Illegal immigrants (from all nations) are breaking the law by being in this country. They should be forced to leave.
I don’t think that making it a felony will make a hill of beans of difference. We’re not enforcing the misdemeanor laws we have; why would enforcement of felony charges be any better?
And for those who say that illegal immigrants do the jobs that American citizens are unwilling to do, I say “Phft!” At what price? American citizens are quite willing to do the dirtiest of jobs if they are fairly compensated for the work. Try telling a West Virginia coal miner that he’s not doing a dirty job. Or a garbage collector? Illegal immigrants are EXPLOITED by employers who refuse to pay the prevailing wage for unskilled labor.
We…a capitalistic country…need the workers. We …a capitalistic country..allow the workers to come in without being inspected. We…a capitalistic country…enable those to stay and pick our cotton and grapes. We…a capitalistic country…are at fault.
Let’s do what I “think” the proposal says – give current illegals the opportunity to meet criteria and apply for citizenship to stay here. But if they don’t pass muster, or they break our criminal laws here, then they’re still out…
Simply throwing our hands up every 7 years and saying we can’t control it and granting amnesty is not controling the problem. WE must get control of our borders however we do it…be it a fence or some other method. We shoudl not let Mexican immigration be the control point to prevent terrorist from entering the US.
We should also not reward people who intentionally break our laws. We should remove the illegal immigrants currently in the US and grant the “working visa” to other law abiding mexicans. Granting amnesty merely encourages lawless behavior.
i’m an immigrant from the Philippines (legal, believe me) so i know first-hand how hard it is to get a Visa. Getting here made all the pressure we had to go through worthwhile. If I think selfishly, i would say no, because it would be so unfair to those who go through alot to attain legal access to the country. But thinking about those millions of people, i guess they would do it right if they could. So, finally, YES, i think they should be given a chance to legally become a part of this country and enjoy the freedom that it has to offer… Just this once.
I personally am Canadian living here in Nashville – it took 5 years to get permanant status the right way. It took thousands of dollars, a laywer, and fearless arguing at the border. Miracle of miracles, God got us in even though they are currently denying access to religious workers.
I am infuriated that this country would even suggest the idea to reward these people who illegally enter. With this proposal, they would pay a small fine (far less than we did), and then enter at the end of the line (same as we did). This is more than unfair, its unethical. And no judge would ever rule in such a manner (unless the judge is Canadian).
This is the answer, prosecute the businesses that hire illegals. No work, less illegals. I don’t care what it does to the economy – thats what is fair, thats called enforcing the law. The citizens, the residents get priveleges – in that order.
Scott
the law, as well as the border patrol, needs to be tightened severely.
if they can’t stop a pregnant woman from getting in, who’s to stop a terrorist?
I think that America is overpopulated enough as it is and more citizens isn’t what we need. However, I don’t think that they should start cracking down on them and totally banishing them all. America needs illegal immigrates because they do work for us for a lot cheaper. I know that sounds kinda bad, but think about it….the prices of simple things like an orange would probably go up a whole lot w/o immigrates. So, that being said, I think that things shouldn’t be changed too much. Illegal immigrates: they stay here, have a better life meanwhile we have cheaper products.
It all works out.
no we shouldnt! ryc: yep aint the same without ma…will have to call her this weekend…
“I don’t understand xyox justification of not wanting to become legal but umm ok.
If we do allow amnesy…we still need to change how we are handling illegals. Without change whats the point.
Also the # 11 million is not an exact number. No one knows the exact number and depending on where you stand on the issue, the estimate is different. Some people count all the illegals that are deported and then figure out a ratio of how many are not caught. But this includes people who are caught multiple times. Therefore, the actual # of illegals may be actually lower. Illegal immigrants don’t really do any harm. They work the low paying jobs no one wants. They may not pay their whopping income tax, but they pay tax in the way of sales tax. But they do not take away from the system either. They do not collect social security or welfare. Also most are afraid to use federal help, because they are afraid of being deported.
I think if there is a crime committed by an illegal immigrant then they should deported. but there is no simple answer.”
Its an outrage how people who really are ignorant can flat out say NO. Thats just absurd. Get educated before even saying anything. It is true that many illegals are here and working. But its also true that they don’t do their taxes, and all that excess money is not being accounted for, so who keeps it? the FED. So if they keep that money, it also shows alot of reason as to the parents of the baby boomers were taken care of. Thanks to that percentage. But I dislike how so many people have so little disregard for others because they aren’t citizens, wtf, The only people who can call themselves citizens to this country are those who were flat out lucky being born here! I was born here by illegals, that makes me lucky. I didn’t have to prove my citizenship. Neither do all the people on this site saying no. Those living here illegaly sure have a hell of ways to show that they are devoted to this country, Many have fought wars for this country and turned their backs on their Native one. SO those who just dont know the issues, forgot to read their texts in School- oh wait they dont get that history in school, they get anything about WHITE people who stole a country from many natives and MEXICANs, and assume that its all dandy. Sometimes, Dan, why are you asking people who really dont’ have a real say in things, and are just ignorant and really need to figure things out? Conscious awareness is lacked by no responsibilities and just people to point the blame to. This entry sickens me.
Have we forgotten that we are the original immigrants of this country?
My father works at a church where most of the people are illegal immigrants. The church plays a huge role in helping them out. My family came from a differant country and started as aliens, and it wasn’t until twenty years later they were granted citizenship. Most of these people are here only to work. They don’t care where do live as long as it’s a roof over there heads. And most of them are good people trying to give their family a better life. But I do agree if an illegal commits a crime that they should be deported.
THE US SHOULD EAT CHEESE
Wow im number 92! I feel so so so special! LOL kidding!
I don’t think that immigration, legal or illegal is a bad thing….so no opinion.
See…there’s a reason why I’m not in charge of making these decisions…
No! And they souldn’t be allowed to drain the system as they do. And no more talk about the jobs they do. Those very same jobs were being done by American workers before the illegals came into the country. The will be done by Americans again when the illegals leave.
well i thaink they shouldnt allow them to be citizeans. because for what i head befor America is Vastly populated. if we let all them come in then eventuly were going to end up like china. over populated with population laws. if they want to become leagl citizens thats all fine just dont come here illegly and not pay for bills! i head on the tv a few mins ago that if they were here of a 11 year period they deserve to become citizens as long as they learn engish and remain emplayed. that i agree with. exept how long they are here for. they can make it like 5.
If these aliens had been waving American flags, singing the national anthem or ‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’ and ‘America, the Beautiful’, I’d have a little more compassion. If they weren’t screaming about racism, xenophobia and the like, I might be far more willing to listen to them and work with them. But they weren’t – they were waving (mostly) Mexican flags, and using Old Glory as a gag, blindfold, or handcuffs. They were shrieking in Spanish that their ‘race’ will prevail, when it has nothing to do with race – it has do to with nationalism. They insult Americans with pomposity and insolence. They don’t want to be American – they just want to continue robbing the hard-working, overburdened American taxpayer. They don’t love America, or admire her the way immigrants of a century ago did, or even the way many legal immigrants today think of America with a luminosity in their eyes; they see her as an open treasure chest with goods for the taking. – (a miss o quote)
THIS is definitely a major nazificating issue, and it’s amazing WHO is supporting the fascist side of the story. You should check out http://www.phpbbforfree.com/forums/eminemsrevengea-about272.html and get the OTHER side…but who really cares about a bunch of wetbacks
[By the way, anyone can post a comment there without registering
]
Definitely no. Seal the border and send the illegal immigrants home. If we make them citizens, the cost of supporting them legally becomes much more burdensome than it is even now. AND we should jail and/or fine the empolyers of illegal aliens – tax-payers are losing jobs to low-wage-earning people who aren’t even documented and came here illegally.
Why don’t we just pay our next-door neighbors to mow our grass, trim our trees, clean our houses and cook our meals? Because it’s too expensive and we don’t make that much money – unless you own a large business and can afford it because you hire illegal immigrants.
John
No.
our local news last night made a good point of saying the illegals immigrants in the area, are afraid to report crimes, because they themselves are illegal. I don’t know, I’m sort of mixed on it.
Definatly.
They take the jobs that only people like me have a chance of getting. *shrug* I think it’s unfair.
yes, if they have started a life here with a family and a job and they are paying taxes and working for society.
but if they have no use here then no. deport them. now.
my classmates are being very hardheaded on this situation. they’ve heard about students in Dallas schools walking out to “protest” and so they went ahead and did it too. it was mainly a mix of black & mexicans in the crowd just wanting to get out of school. a few of my friends landed ISS because of their foolish decision.
if the immigrant is ILLEGAL they shouldnt be here in the first place, no matter Mexixcan, Asian, whatever. if they walk out it wont solve anything. the government doesnt care what you do, they’re still going to do it.
Yes…from a moral standpoint, I couldn’t turn someone away just for trying to make a better life for themselves (in this case) or their children. Seeing how some have it in these countries, what we have to offer is the chance of a lifetime.
im not sure, im in favor of immigration in general (i moved to america when i was 2, and im only 12)but im not sure.
They come seeking a better life, so why not start that better life off on the right foot and come to the country legally? The United States does not need to make a wrong thing right in order to prevent people from breaking the law. I live in this country, and I have to follow its rules. Its only fair that people who live outside this country and want to come into it follow the same rules.
yes
Hey. They do jobs I sure as hell don’t want to do.
They can become legal as long as I don’t have to see them.
Out of sight out of mind.
They better be working in a meat packing plant.
No. If they start saying okay to little things what will they say is okay next? On the other hand we shouldn’t be mean about it and like throw them out.
I think United States should for now, I mean, they can’t support the illegal immigrants and the citizens at the same time…
Like a bandaid on a gaping wound. The problem isn’t that they get in trouble when they come over, its that they keep coming like throwing boomerangs away.
They come because they can make a lot of money, tax free, fast and go back home. The problem is that they get hired over here even thought the people hiring them know its wrong…the enablers. The problem is that Mexico pays didly to people working so they come in search of a piece of the bigger dream.
Why not start penalizing heavily the people that hire them. If they use them to sew clothing, seize the clothes and shut down the operation, pull the clothes off the shelf. If a business person realizes it is cheaper in the end to hire the people who are citizen, that would discourage them from coming across.
On a side note….why give amnesty to those who do wrong knowingly when there are a lot of mexicans and foreigners who come over, study hard, fill the right forms out, take the right test…all in the pursuit of being an American Citizen. What a great country this is when people from all over want to be a part of it.
si- los mexicanos y otros que estan en este pias son buen trabadores,
Everything needs to be legal.
it’s actually 12 million. Our economy can support them, but not much more. I think we have the right INTENSIONS but i think it’s the wrong coarse of action. We should be trying to help mexico’s economy so illegals wont have a reason to come here. Think about it, if you recieved one dollar a day for hard manual labor and just a few hundred miles north you could do the same job for five dollars an HOUR, wouldn’t you cross the border too? I would. I live in Texas and mexicans (that’s basically who we’re talking about) are protesting in the wrong ways. Conjegationing under the mexican flag. We should be doing our best to help them, not use this as another way to try to deport them. They do jobs most americans would NEVER dream of doing. And it’s the illegals doing the best work, so there’s no problems. I know one and he’s the most respectable man i have met. It’s not like in europe where the slavs and serbs are educated and compete for good jobs. It’s fact, the mexican population isn’t as educated as the U.S.’s. Our society would crumble without them. We’ve become completely dependent on their work and services. We shouldnt punish their efforts for living the american dream that most americans dont even have. It’s takes years to become a citizen, they have families to feed NOW! We shouldnt have more than we can handle but right now they’re doing excellent work for mimumin wages. The money isn’t going back to the U.S. economy, but at least it’s feeding a little boy back in mexico where no one can suppport him. Be human. Have a heart.
Absolutley not. Most of them come here to leach off our welfare program. That’s like telling them they got two years before you’re legal, hurry up!
God Bless,
Right Winger
well …even with fences and tougher laws there will be no stopping it . just like abortion and those other ‘controversies’ which i hope you bring up more controversial subjects because i love talking about the ‘tough issues’
I say they either become legal or we throw them out.
Regarding the an above comment about the Colbert Report, I saw it and was trying to think of the exact numbers he used. I was not suprised to see that two people’s “educated guesses” as to how many illegals live here differed by a million people. I mean, they’re here illegally, they have no real ID, and they don’t pay taxes, how is the government supposed to know how many are here.
doesnt seem likely
To answer your question, no I don’t think it would work. All it would do is invite more illegals to come here hoping for the same reward. I worked as a Deputy Sheriff in San Diego (reserve) while I was stationed there. We would arrest an illegal for shop lifting, or “huffing” or something else along those lines. Take them to county, put an INS hold on them so they had to be deported, only to arrest the same guy a week later. The boarders, most notably the one with Mexico is so easy for people to get accross un-detected… I don’t see how granting the ones that are already illegaly here amnesty, will slow the flow of more illegals any.
No…it would be like the U.S. were condoning (sp?) illegal activities.
damn demorcats…..NO!! blow em all up along w. mexico..and then take over the country and drill out all of their oil…..we should out 4 america (which we dont… look at all the freakin indrustry were sendin over seas, puttin AMERICANS out of work and then xpect them to have the $$ to buy it back) seriously this is america…NOT amexicoera…..
I think so.
amnesty works for me… you should have seen my students protest today.. most are scared that their parents will be deported… and here they were born in the States… is it really fair to separate these families?
i think so.. but hey if it stops them kids that were marching all acrods town today whatever.. no i don’t know what to say on this subject my grandparents were illegal immagrents but they got their citizen ship so yeah..
no
My brother has a $250,000 dollar bounty on his head, just because he works for the Border Patrol agency. He busts drug cartels.
It is a known FACT that there are over 6,000 Muslims in Mexico, ready to cross the border.
Mexicans that cross the border illegally bring drugs, weapons, diseases, and god knows what else across the border.
So, no, I think that the government should stick the ILLEGAL aliens on a bus back to Mexico, quickly. If they want to cross legally, then thats fine, but illegal aliens should be sent back. One of my best friends has Mexican ancestry, I have nothing against her, or any race for that matter, but if they are illegal, they need to go back.
yes, with CERTAIN qualifications if they provide amnesty. If they did it for my parents back in the 60′s and 80′s why not do it a 3rd time for those who qualify.
Should the United States provide amnesty to current illegal immigrates in order to get control of the illegal immigration issue?
Doing that is like legalizing drugs so we don’t have a drug problem.
What if this is nothing more than Mexico’s extremely shrewd, devious plan on invading and taking over our country? Think about it…Mexico has 11 million “solders” already in place throughout our country. How could we stop them?
Am I being paranoid?
maybe I am…
But then…what if I’m right???
I have Haitan, African, Mexican ad Puerto Rican friends who I know are illegal, but they aren’t really criminals and thats all that matters. Carlos Mencia makes good points when he talks about things like that. You should watch his stand ups, they are so true and very funny.
What did I do to get the honor of being your friend? Talk of civil war I hear.
Enn Ooo.
My family are immigrants
I love America
not only because of economic reason, though we are poor…not only for the oppourtunity, but what it stands for…
Everything must be done according to Law,
So, NOOO amnesty
HOw about all those who decide to abide by the Law in coming here?
Do we honor those who choose not to uphold the law?
And simply put, Criminals= law breakers
though they might be nice, and lovely people…
I really have mixed feelings. They come for better lives, better hobs, better education, better opportunities. I think they should be able to be in the US…only under the condition that they would work. Otherwise, back to Mexico.
Oh, yeah, and a random note for some less-knowing readers. Puerto Ricans are legal in the US, hell, of of the only peoples, if not the only, that can come to the US with no green card, nothing. Just a side note, in case you catch yourself saying “you’re an illegal” to a Puerto Rican.
No.
I understand that they do the jobs Americans don’t want to do but they are called illegal immigrants for a reason. Give their jobs to homeless people that are citizens. People that hire illegals should be punished as well.
Erika
let me pose a question to link w/ my previous answer to you:
my family was granted greencards not long after our stay here in america…thus, i was not an “illegal alien” for long. it was expedited, b/c we were “sponsored” by americans immediately post-vn war. we were fleeing the country for the obvious political reasons.
do you think immigration laws should, in any way, be based on the political regime of the country they are emigrating from? i.e. would everyone be singing a differnent tune if mexico fell under communism? just curious…
With immigrants come huge surges in crime and drug crimes as well. (I lived on the border w/Mexico, so I’m speaking about Latin American immigrants.) I’ve seen the worst of the people and the best of them. I’m Mexican and many do come to break laws, but for the most part, they want what most immigrants want–a great future and to help their families. I say allow those that are here to stay and work from there. Sad as it is, they do jobs average americans will not do for that amount of pay. There is good and bad in every single situation, and this is yet another one. But, ultimately, I think they benefit our society.
I like how it was. THis whole thing caused a situation at my school. All the students in the Las Vegas valley somehow just decided to ditch school and meet at my school unexpectedly for a student protest rally. ALl of us were unaware of the situation, we just knew that the principal was apparently worried and we were having a “lockdown.”
Dan… come on… questions, questions without no sense… Here’s what I think about this issue… as I wrote before… Bush is gonna make this Fair Immigration Bill like slavery. That’s a fact. Bush doesn’t like people who speak diferently, act diferently even their color of their skin is different unless you’re from Arab or have a high class life. What I’m pissed off about this is the fact that the Hispanic Community are treated like they don’t have no other choice than cleaning toilets or floors, being burned in the sun picking vegetables or fruits, dishwashing the dishes in a restaurant for a minimum wage. And that slavery have to put into a end right here right now because we’re human beings not slaves. We pay taxes just like anyone else. Sure, there’s people who can’t understand english but do they start crying? Nope, they look for a job no matter how denigrated it is and they start working compared to those lazy ass motherfuckers who can’t not even clean dog shit not even with the appropriate tools.
Here’s another fact… what would happen if the Hispanic Community like the protest in LA and other cities began to boycott by not going to work? Are you gonna do the jobs that not even a Afro-american don’t want to have? Or you’re gonna like always complain that there’s no jobs? There’s jobs, the problem is that you lazy ass Americans want it the easy way on a desk going online and post on xanga every stupidity they think about oh what a boring day you have. Don’t be so hiphocritical! There’s no excuse for it!
NO AMNESTY!
Fences, security, FELONY!
(((((( GRANDMA HUGS ))))))
Lori
Nope!
Whatever we do, we need to stop being hypocrites. It’s obvious that we benefit from illegal immigrants and the de facto law is that they are allowed to be here. How can we suddenly make something a felony that we have wide-eyededly allowed for years? We don’t pay them American wages or do lots of other expensive, time-consuming things that we do for most employees. We don’t have to worry about worker’s comp, benefits, health and safety issues, or anything else. Sadly, illegal immigrants have few rights and are disposable in the eyes of many. I have a friend whose illegal housekeeper went missing; the family didn’t intervene because they thought they might get in trouble, and they had always seen her as a stupid, unimportant person.
So we can encourage these people to come over and rely on them for our economy and then make it a felony for them to be here. We should encourage immigrants to come the way they have come for hundreds of years–they have come to partake in our American freedoms, rights, and dreams. We should help them be a real part of this country. We should either keep them out, or let them come here as true Americans.
As my Dad said tonight, we already have laws we aren’t enforcing, and we don’t seem to have the manpower or resources to enforce them. If we can’t enforce misdemeanors, how will we enforce felonies? Why don’t we enforce the laws we DO have from here on out? My dad thinks that if we build a fence, everything else will work out: there may be a job shortage; wages will increase; we will work to find legal ways of bringing immigrants over. While at first the idea of a fence sounded foolish, perhpas this makes sense.
I propose we make all the current legal immigrants legal and then work on tougher border restrictions–even a fence. We resolve to let in a limited number of immigrants–legally–and to help them fully partake of the blessings of this country as they bless us with their lives.
No because white people suck and are just mad because Mexicans are better.
my thought are that laws are laws and they should be enforced, I am not sure why we want to make more laws when we do not enforce the ones we have. It is hard for me to get to worked up about the topic. I guess I think a lot of people in the USA should take a trip to a third world country and it may change their opinion or at least make them a little more understanding.
No way. They receive social benefits and pay no taxes. The standard of living could improve in Latin American countries if they did the work themselves to make their own nations better; and yet, they continue to elect socialist leaders who run their countries into the ground. Latin America was seeing some progress during various periods of privatization, but now it’s going back to the old rent-seeking, feudalistic economic systems that have plagued Latin America since… well, always.
Most illegal immigrants just want better lives for themselves and their families. I have serious issues with deporting them, especially if they face persecution upon their return… on the other hand, granting them amnesty encourages other people to jump the queue. This is one question where I’m truly at a loss. It’s interesting reading other people’s responses tho.
So, with all of this that has been going on, as I have a myspace account, I posted this in one of my blogs:
Just in case anyone didn’t read this on the Proposition HR4437 bulletin they received…I don’t care who you are–white from another country–like England, or whatever, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, Lebanese, whatever. If you are here illegally, you don’t belong here. I am not racist, and I don’t support ‘white pride’. Does this make me racist–not wanting illegal persons in this country? Even if I don’t care what race they are? It’s ridiculous for people to assume that about me or anyone else like me with the same views. Granted, there are some people who are racist and do want the bill to pass–but for the wrong reasons. I don’t care who you are or what country you come from. When you’re here LEGALLY, you’re an American Citizen–whether you’ve been tested for citizenship or not. I understand that in some countries, things are hard right now, and people want to come to America for a better life. I support those people wholeheartedly. Everyone deserves a chance at making a quality life for themselves and their families. But coming here illegally…there are those who would wish harm against this country, and the people living in it…so why would anyone want people to come here in such a way that it would make it easier to attack this land we love? I know people are prideful of their heritage. It’s okay. I think it’s great that we have such diversity, and that people are willing to stand up and fight for what they believe in. But the bill is not demanding that all immigrants be sent back to where they came from, or that they not be allowed to immigrate to America. It is the ILLEGAL immigrants that are being discussed. And no, I don’t know anyone who came here illegally. And if I did, I’m not sure if I would support this bill or not. But I do support this bill, and I’m not racist, and if anyone would like to dispute that fact, I challenge you. I think that white supremacists are sickening, and pollute this world with their horrible ways of life and thinking. If I ever come across one…I can’t be held responsible for my words. But as a Christian, it is my belief to accept everyone, no matter what their race is. No matter what their sexual preference is. No matter what their religion is. So I ask, does this make me ‘filled with white pride?’ I don’t know any of the people below who do support the bill, but is it really right for anyone to be judging them? I thought that was up to God.
So…does this make me a racist? Apparently it does, according to one or two people.
Nope
whats the difference between putting up a wall between america and mexico to stop immigrants who are suffering from oppression getting into america, and putting up a wall between east and west germany, to stop the people of east germany who are only trying to escape oppression getting into west germany? and didnt america wanna kick the soviets ass real good for that?
I just think that weneed to have tighter restrictions on our borders so that its harder for terrorists to get in. There have been a dozen or so arrests made where the person was affilliated with a terrorist organization. I think we need a stronger border. Fence? no, try a large wall. AND a fence. but not for the illegal immigrants. for terrorists. I think we should let people come in easier on work visas and the like
absolutely we should provide amnesty. did you know the House Resolution as it currently stands would also make it a felony for any one (particularly religious folk) to talk to, let alone provide aid to, illegal immigrants? excuse me, but did they sandblast emma lazarus’ “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” off the base of the statue of liberty when we weren’t looking?
no, they’re illegal (that means breaking the law) and there’s thousands of them. That’s like saying, “Oh, hey kids, don’t worry about that little bit of law breaking, they’ll let you off if there’s enough of you.They might even give you a cookie.”
They can get here legally, they should have to. People who can’t walk over here do it.
absoulutely they should, why should we sit here and get fat, when they sit there and starve? we have someone livingwith us from mexico, we love him dearly and have been horrified at some of the poverty stories they have told, furthermore, if they made them legal and made them pay taxes it would be a lot more fair to us. and they wouldnt be as eger to come. they endure a lot of injustice at our hands tho, being stuffed into little dumpy trailers, being paid miniumum wage, haveing two days a year off work, it sick, our country is about freedom,
thas a hard question to answer, so many people but why not deal with everybody instead of just of Mexicans?
If we force them all out, a million business will go down, plus most of the farmers will now loose their crops, and not be able to work, the illegals are not the reason there are so few jobs, there is always a job to be found somewhere! even if is only 5 dollers an hour at mcdonalds, but we crackers dont want to work for just 5dollers an hour, so we sit at home on the goverment and make hard working taxpayers support us, then we fuss at the illegals?? they do the job! they are the glue that holds a lot of business together, they do what other people wouldnt do,
why is everyone only mentioning Mexicans ?
Illegal is about crime. A person is not illegal depending upon his home country. However, constantly labeling human beings as “illegals” (as is often done) is another factor in breeding confusion and resentment. Unity/peace is not the goal of such a government/society. I think if I were referred to as an “illegal”, I might not have much incentive to remain a law-abiding citizen. Then again, I might do what the labelers want, which is to stay away from such an unwelcoming and morally decayed place.
So of course I believe there should be amnesty. That amnesty should be required is ridiculous, because nothing wrong has been done simply by trying to exercise freedom.
I do think that United States should provide amnesty to current illegal immigrates. I came to this country not by choice but because my parents wanted a better life for their children.
~Once an illegal immigrant, NOW U.S. CITIZEN
Isn’t this country all about freedom, and a better life? Why should we turn them away, when it’s what we’ve been offering people all along? ‘Come to America! Your free here!’ Yet, when people do come, we make it impossibly hard, or flat out turn them away.
Posted 3/28/2006 at 4:07 PM by TwilightsCollaborator
Yes, that is true. But they should learn our language first, come here LEGALLY, and not act so stupid.
Illegal immigrants are just wanting the same thing our ancestors more than a century ago wanted. A place where they can make a decent living. I wonder how many people who are insanely against illegal Mexican immigrants have actually been to Mexico. I wonder if these people would like to trade lives with them for a day. I’m not saying illegal immigration is right, but as human beings, we will do whatever it takes to give our families the best lives we can.
If an illegal immigrant is willing to come over here and do a job a lazy American doesn’t, do it harder than a lazy American would, and will do it for less money than a greedy American wants… then what does that say about us? If you don’t want people from other countries coming over to take your job, start treating it more seriously.
Perhaps one may say the corporations are greedy by wanting to hire immigrants for less money so they can make more. While this is true, it still doesn’t negate the fact that these guys are willing to do what it takes to provide for his family, while we expect shit to be handed to us.
I disagree with illegal immigration, because it’s illegal. But I can understand why it’s occuring so much. And if we can’t keep 11 million illegal immigrants out of our country, then that right there demonstrates our laziness as a country, and we deserve to be taken advantage of in such a way.
Charlie says it’s amnesty, McCain says it’s earned citizenship. I was flabbergasted when I heard that there were 11 million ILLEGAL immigrants…amazing. I like the idea that they have to earn it be it fair. Just plain ol’ amnesty…no. I think it would be great to use their history, but obviously that would prove to be skeptical.
only if they fix the initial problem first which is: illegal immigrants coming across the border. this amnesty will encourage it and create an increase on employment problems and an increase in population problems. don’t get me wrong. i hold no discrimination against hispanics. i live in “little mexico” the burbs of Chicago. and i have plenty of hispanic friends. im just afraid that the US will be overpopulated too fast and there will be a higher unemployment rate diminishing the “American dream.” what we need to do is control this, not prevent it, not encourage it. just control it.
NO. for the ones that work Yes for the ones that dont adn mooch off of the people that do work NO. They are the reason for health care costs that keep going up. It makes me mad that people can just mooch off of the US. A nation that was built by hard work.
and to the first commentor the hispanics do have a choice they could go to college or get a better job
I don’t think some of you realize how incredibly difficult it can be to get citizenship to America. My boyfriend/fiance is from Brazil, he can speak 4 languages (how many American born citizens can do that) he is intelligent and would offer a lot to an American community, however it is near impossible for us to afford to get him to America legally.
David
NO. They need to follow the law and go through what all other immigrants had to go through. My parents didnt get amnesty why should they? My parents had to wait for years just to be accecpted to step foot onto American soil. I hate free loaders and I hate ppl who want things to fall into their laps. They need to stop expecting!
i love your site it is awsome!
Kay
The idea that immigration need authorization is, i think, bad and ungodly.
Why should some immigration be considered criminal? Why can’t somebody let another move to where the person lives? Why should it be that somebody is allowed to live in USA just because the person is born from another who is a citizen of USA while somebody else is punished just for trying to live in USA?
No government has right to punish one who seeks a better life.
Seeking a better life is not a sin. May God protect immigrants from the government.
I don’t see anything wrong with them coming to work or to live in America. Shoot diversity is what makes this country so wonderful. But I do believe that rules are rules and they are here for a purpose. Rules should not be broken for anyone, even though we certainly know they are. And they do help us by taking jobs, that unfortunatly most Americans won’t take. So in my opinion they help us and hender us all in the same breath. I just think if things were done a bit more legally then we wouldn’t see as many of these problems.
Yes
I need to make a correction to your statement. There are 11 million TOTAL immigrants, in which LESS THAN HALF are Mexican, the rest are Central American (Guatemala, Honduras etc), South American (argentina, venezuela etc), African, and European. The country WILL NOT give amnesty, they are suggesting a GUEST WORKER plan for those current immigrants to have PERMISSION to work in this country LEGALY, and not be CATAGORIZED as Criminals, as long as they continue to pay taxes, work and keep clean records. Amnesty provides citizenship, guest worker plan would provide a green card, which is PERMISSION to work in this country. Please understand the difference, and yes I agree, the guest worker plan is a great idea.
i say no.
no, that is not fair to others
I want to say yes… but I’m not sure what I’m trying to defend. I mean, for one, what makes them illegal is the U.S. government’s failure to assimilate them as citizens. What’s so hard about giving these people citizenship? This is like the time more than a century ago when Chinese immigration was banned. Why? Because they have a better work ethic? It’s not their fault that their country is just not as “rich” as the U.S. is. And we all know that our economy is in a giant mess right now anyway. Besides, they come here to find a better life, because our country has been advertised worldwide as the land of dreams and freedom. It’s a great facade of fake hopes and dreams maybe, but that’s what they’re looking for… I feel that they should just be allowed to stay in the country. But maybe I’m disillusioned… I guess there are just too many things wrong with this country at this point to even be able to defend ANY point properly… Stupid Bush.
when you live in Texas, and they are all around you, you want to say yes!
i don’t think people realize that we actually need them, and they need us.
popz
Open the doors and let them come. What’s writen on the Statue of Liberty? They aren’t taking any jobs from the welfare recipiants. They wouldn’t do them.
Where’s the walls and border patrols next to Canada? Oh that’s right. They look white.
I strongly agree with what Bush stated. “I believe that granting amnesty would be unfair, because it would allow those who break the law to jump ahead of people who play by the rules and wait in the citizenship line,” Bush said.
Yes, yes, yeeees~!
hmm im from texas and illegal imigrations is a burning topic here as well. Obviously the situation has gotten way out of hand. this news has even spread to the north. down here illegal aliens from latin american countrys have heavily populated this area. the negative effects of this are hard working people losing their jobs to hispanics who work for less and less and in our world working for less for some people who have families to support . now this may sound arogent but many do not see the scope of the problem until they have lived with it.see minimum wage is a bit under six dollars per hour the hispanics down here will work for one or two dollars per hour running other people out of their buissness. the latin population down here has so overrun everybody that spainish in some areas has become the primary language. In the news the other day there was talk of putting up statues of mexican war heros in Dallas city park. To me this is a bit outrageous and off the topic but that is how saturated with latino culture it has become down here. I believe that America is about freedom but there should be some rules and regulations to who we let enter our country. In my opinion i feel we shoul build a fence and tighten up borders because 11 million is 11 million too many illegal immigrants.
garrett
i say no
maybe yes not really sure
i heard it was actually 12 million. And to think that is just illegal mexicans.My uncle said like by 2010 that there will be more mexicans/hispanics then any other race making them no longer a minorty cause they be the majority.
I dont see why they use electric fence or high fence.Some parts have no fence.
But its hard for mexicans to get visas or whatever to be legal from what i heard so they have no choice.I know some and they said they are forced and would go back any day but they only get money for their families in Mexico.
Im not sure.When you think of it from both sides there’s a lot to think about.
omgosh, the whole reason WHY we have so many illegals in this country is because we haven’t been tough on the border. We need to amend the Constitution so we can put troops on the border.
i dont know if most of u realize that there is currently only 4 ways to become a legal resident of the united states, one is marriage, adoption, and 2 working visas one is only given to nurses and the other to professionals in a certain field, there is no other way to become a legal resident, oh and the other turist type visas and other visas but those visas dont allow u to become legal. so most of u say to do it the legal way, well there is no legal way at this moment, so how are this illegal immigrants that are here suppose to become legal if the government dosnt give them a chance to. there is no other path for residency for the new immigrants coming in and even getting a turist visa is hard now on days not everyone who applies for a visa gets it most of them get denied usually because of their economic situation in their countries. so i say yes grant them residecy to those here allready, but with certain Requisits, thats not amnestie at all. create new methods for people to come here legaly, new types of visas, also enforce the border add more border patrol agents.
yes! bcuz us mexicans work hard, and i say that we work harder than any other american here.
well, when the government fails cause of all the goodies its handing out to non-citizens don’t say noone warned you
Get the troops out of Iraq and put them on the border!
I think that immigrants should be given a chance to become citizens. I myself am born from one of those countries who people there are considered immigrants here. I was born in Dominican Republic but raised in Philly but I know many Dominicans who are immigrants and have spent many years trying to become legal and they still aren’t. They come here for a better life and better opportunities and to me it seems like the government is trying to take that away from them.
well take care
xoxo
i believe if they want to come over here legally and learn the language, and become “americans” then i dont have a problem, but when they want to come over here, they want to work for cash under the table, they dont want to learn the language, then they should stay over there!!!