December 2, 2009
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Christmas Gifts for Illegal Children
Two Houston charities came under fire after requiring proof of citizenship for children to receive Christmas toys.
The Salvation Army and Outreach Programs Inc, changed their policy and no longer require the families to show proof of citizenship in order for the kids to receive the gifts.
The concern was that the charities were unfairly targeting the children of illegal immigrants and that the kids would go without free toys. Here is the link: Link
Do you think the children of illegal immigrants should receive free toys from charities?
Comments (120)
I don’t know. That’s tough. The children are innocent…they cant help it if they’re here illegally.
Well, if they were giving away crappy pharmacy toys then it wouldn’t be much of a loss for the illegal children anyway.
It’s a charity.
They’re there to give regardless.
Good lord… they’re children, they’re donated toys, it’s Christmas! I see the logic behind requiring proof, but it’s morally flawed logic. As long as some more children are happy tomorrow than there were today, these programs are doing their part.
@crazy2love - I agree. Kids are kids–no matter how they got here, no matter what their parents do, they should never be made to go w/o toys on Christmas
no
but the situation sounds kind of gay
as long as the kids a citizen its ok yeah?
When did Santa become Scrooge??
@Josh_Gist - Exactly.
yes,
ofx !
@ShamelesslyRed - Since Santa decided to sub-contract Texas Republicans. =P
What if someone who was born here is homeless and has no proof of citizenship? Something makes me doubt that every indigent person in America has kept track of their birth certificate.
@precessional -
@AibellFaeire - In a case a while back, the Supreme Court ruled that states could not leave the illegal immigrants out of the public school system.
So illegal immigrants have a right to some publich services (I think).
@precessional - That makes me happy. I would worry about humanity on the whole if we wouldn’t at least help the children of these families, since I’m guessing the ten year old wasn’t the one who decided to move to America.
Also we just keep running into each other, don’t we? =)
It’s a charity, so they should be able to give gifts to whomever they please.
But that’s not to say the government should give illegal immigrant kids welfare, schooling, etc.
The children shouldn’t be punished for something they have no control over. Give them the gifts!
As long as they receive free health care, then yes.
Yes.
Yes! They don’t know any different…they are kids! It’s a charity, and the gifts are donated…plus Christmas is the time of giving!
How dare anyone try to celebrate the birth of a savior (who came for the marginalized, oppressed, and sinners) with children who aren’t legal citizens! Don’t they read the Bible? God hates foreigners. [total sarcasm]
Children are children, no matter what their status is.
It’s called a charity for a reason.
It’s charity, not government. So there is absolutely no reason why there should be any dilemma over giving the kids gifts. They’re still kids, and they can still enjoy gifts. They should have as much opportunity for them as the others.
I don’t see why not. Besides, isn’t Christmas a time for giving regardless of citizenship? Jeez, they’re only kids.
I truly believe illegal immigrant’s children should recieve free toys, health care, social security, food stamps, housing, schooling, and instate tuition. IN MEXICO!!!!
Let me explain. Mexico has more millionaires per capita than any country in the world. And yet they do absolutely nothing for their own people. Except give them free maps on where to cross the boarder.
Shame on you Mexico. The only reason they cross the border is because you are heartless, cold, and uncaring. Texas should be bigger. It should go all the way to Guatemala. Then we could tax the heartless millionaires instead of the middle class Americans who are looking at social security cuts in the future to pay for imigrants added to the rolls.
One out of ten births in American hospitals are born to illegal aliens. Which then becomes U.S. citizens and eligable for all benifits due any American along with their parents.
I’m not heartless. My point is Mexico has the resources to do something about it. But why if we are ashamed to guard our own borders. We are guarding everybody else’s. Iraq, Afganastan, South Korea, Europe. To mention a few.
So give kids toys. In the spirit of Christmas. But wake up America. Mexico is crippling America by neglecting their own.
absolutly!!! it’s a charity for christ sakes!! it wouldn’t exactly be a CHARITY if they didn’t!!! ~GRRR~
They should be able to get toys. I seriously doubt it was their decision to come here illegally. Kids are kids.
Those kids are raised to think Santa is a bigot.
I think there is a lesson to the traditions we keep and the holidays are about giving and not discriminating. The picture isn’t white kids with citizenship holding hands across the world, its every child no matter where they lay their head.
yes… of course.
i’m surprised that some people aren’t saying yes
Wow, I don’t think I have ever seen a unanimous result in an unofficial xanga poll! See above comments; original policy was stupid. They are private organizations, so they do not need to require any proof of citizenship. What a dumb rule to have imposed! As everyone else has said, the kids have no choice over their situations, and they should not have to go without a gift on Christmas. You could totally argue that these kids are probably the most deserving of charity. If a little toy would bring a sense of happiness and joy to their little lives, why would anyone want to deny it? Unless “proof of citizenship” is just a modern day “literacy test” or the like…a cover for blatant racism.
Charities can give to whoever they want, it’s what they’re there for. I’ll support them in doing it.
No. They are not a part of this country, so logically, they shouldn’t even be here. Giving them rights and protection is just out of the question. If they are too poor to afford toys for Christmas, have them go back to the country that they came from to get charity and help there. Illegal immigrants are wasting the resources and money of LEGAL American taxpayers and responsible citizens.
For clarification, I’m not anti-immigration; I’m just anti ILLEGAL immigration. And I’m all for charities giving to needy kids… just not illegal ones.
Because children of illegal immigrants don’t deserve a little Christmas happiness, oh no…why should it have anything at all to do with their citizenship status?
I don’t like the idea of having to show proof of citizenship for small things. America should never turn into one of those countries where people are hassled with the command “PAPERS?” every time they cross the street.
@husbandofawife - No, you’re not heartless. You make very good points.
Yes, Meat Lovers is the best kind of pizza. Godfather’s is the best place to get it.
Well, while Christmas is Christmas and kids are kids, I really don’t feel that illegal immigrants should get any breaks. Even their kids. :/ Its the “illegal” part of their status that bothers me, really. Nothing else about them blips my radar.
I suppose if I felt it was necessary to do this for them anyway, though, I would still make them show proof of citizenship. But, the reason would be not so that they would not get toys, but rather so that they would go to the bottom of the list of kids to receive them. They would have to wait until the children whose parents could prove that they were here legally first. Then, and only then, would the kids who were here illegally could get gifts. That way, the children who are here legally all are ensured gifts, just in case there is a shortage of gifts in comparison to how many children need/want them.
Yes, that would mean that in that event the children here illegally, or at least some of those children if not all, would end up without a free gift. That is the point. If any of the children are going to have to end up without a free gift, I’m sorry but I would rather it be a child here illegally. That child isn’t even supposed to be here in the first place, nor are their parents. So, to me, that is fair.
I realize that this is probably a very unpopular stance to take, but its my opinion. :/
Not from Xtian charities, of course.
Holy Crap! Really? Give gifts to whoever you want to.
You can’t make a child go without Christmas because his or her parents live here without permission.
Charity= generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless. I would say they qualify.
I say give them toys. Of course if they were still in Mexico they would have no toys nor appear as healthy as they do. Can you really even blame the parents for wanting something better for their children? It is a problem without resolution so far.
Why not? It’s a charity, and there should be no requirements to receive a gift from a charity. They’re children for goodness sake!
they’re kids! whether they’re citizens or not, they should be able to have a good christmas.
If they were offering government funded services I’d say require proof of citizenship. But if it is Christmas gifts then give them the gift.
Why shouldn’t they? They probably didn’t ask to come here illegally so…
like its the kids fault that they are here illegally or that their parents are? thats just wrong. all kids deserve something on christmas and i will be helping some families that just happen to be illegal.
I’m not sure what to comment here. Yes the kids are innocent and they shouldn’t be deprived of gifts, however… I don’t agree that illegal immigrants should take anything away from citizens of this country.
@tracezilla@lovelyish - Putting them at the bottom of the list would be a better idea than just mixing them in with kids here legally. It might not be, like you said, a popular stance but, at least making the option somewhat available is better than just nixing the idea altogether. Kids here legally or native should be first.
@husbandofawife - when a illegal has a baby the baby becomes the american citizen and can recieve help. not the parents. fyi…… also there are illegals from every country here in the us, not just mexico. ever go in a chinese buffet?? almost everyone in there is illegal.
Send them back empty-handed to where they came from. That’s the Christian thing to do.
Of course! It’s not like giving money or something to the parents that brought them over. It KIDS. Why should any kid not deserve at least one present on Xmas?
Thats horrible. Who cares? Really. They are kids!
@Josh_Gist - Persactly!
Split on this one. While I believe that it is wrong they are here illegally, child or no it is still illegal, I also believe that they are entitled to have atleast one gift to open on Christmas. With that said, I think that we should atleast take care of our own legal citizens before helping those who aren’t.
Children are CHILDREN, regardless. Shame on anyone who would deny a child happiness.
I would just like to comment that if it’s really about being charitable, then no limitations would be placed on giving. All children deserve to have one happy day a year, free from stigma and feelings of “less-than-ness.” Perpetuating that secondary status is the opposite of charitable, and not befitting the Christian spirit supposedly embodied by Salvation Army and this time of year particularly.
@bonitanina20 – fyi, you are wrong. Check facts before inserting foot.
Yea, give them a toy…jeezzz.
The people here that say, “They’re just innocent kids.” fail to realize that’s the line they’re going to sing until the kid is 18 and then they’re going to say, “It’s the only life that the kid has known” and demand that he be a Citizen, leaving true citizens like you and me to have less rights than those who flagrantly ignore our laws.
Between “charity” and the “spirit of Christmas”…Nah, let’s horde those toys and give ‘em to American drug dealers instead.
Salvation Army is a garbage organization anyway.
No, absoluty not. let them go to the chairties of there respictive countries.
@jericholic2525 - What makes illegal immigrants inherently more undeserving of private kindness than legal immigrants?
@bonitanina20 - ever go in a chinese buffet?? almost everyone in there is illegal.
How the fuck do you know? It’s not as if you checked for documentation, right?
@pawnshop_heart - That’s what I was thinking. At least if you do it that way, they get a chance. Personally, I think doing it that way is quite generous. o.o;
Christmas should be the one time that everyone puts their political beliefs aside and do what’s in the spirit of the season.
So, the kids should get the gifts.
they’re illegally in the country so my answer is no.
Some call them illegal aliens, I call them Native Americans. Here long before the Europeans ‘discovered’ them. What would Jesus think about this?
Kids are kids.
Children are children. It does not matter. They’re innocent and are not any different from any other kids.
@MommaTo2Kids - Christmas– either as a celebration of Christ’s birth or as a secular practice human generosity– has very little to do with race or country of origin.
The mere abscence of certain documents shouldn’t be a basis for broad discrimination or human callousness.
@precessional - The simple fact that it is a crime for them to be here in the first place. That is what makes them less deserving. In the unlikely event that EVERY LEGAL american gets a gift under there tree, then worry about those who came to this country on a floating door
@jericholic2525 - That’s an irrelevent point. Christmas isn’t a celebration of legal residency.
Human benifits and human considerations shouldn’t be withheld for the commiting of arbitrairly chosen characteristics.
Once, as a kid, I’ve been ticketed for jaywalking, but this didn’t exclude me from the right of attending the local public high school.
Children should be considered citizens of the world, especially by charities.
Arriba, arriba, andale!
@precessional - i fucking know. obviously u r ignorant. isnt that awesome?
@husbandofawife - fyi i am not wrong! . i would know. i have friends that are illegal and they get NO help whatsoever. only help they can get is if they have a child that is legal, that child can get medicaid and that child can get food stamps. thats it. so if they have 5 kids and 2 r citizens and 3 arent, the only ones that r gonna have insurance r the citizens. so all the people that think all the illegals are here living off the government, not paying taxes, being mooches…….. think again. there are legal people here that have less motivation to better their lives and they are the ones on food stamps getting checks from the government every month. i happen to know some of them too unfortunately and these scabs are white! i’m not saying its ok that people are coming here illegally. just pointing out the fact that you really don’t know whats goin on. so, check ur own facts before inserting ur giantly huge foot.
It’s not the kids’ fault that their parents broke the law. Let them have their free toys.
@bonitanina20 – You are living proof that even morons can type.
@Galbsadi - Meat lovers? Blegh. That’s just… WRONG. I mean, you probably lack a lot of variety in your life if you limit yourself to meat.
@the_evil_tamica - And who are you to pass this judgment? Next you’re going to be saying that you need to show me said variety.
I don’t think it’s the government’s call. Heck, it’s called “charity” for a reason.
@husbandofawife - takes one to know one
@bonitanina20 - i fucking know.
So you can tell, just by looking, when a Chinese-American is undocumented?
To my understanding, posession of American citizenship, a valid greencard, an unexpired student permit, or an unexpired workign permit does not show up physically in a person’s appearences. I hope your lame little assertion was more than manifestation of some deep seeted ignorance or racism.
obviously u r ignorant. isnt that awesome?
Obviously, because I’m not as racist-seeming as you are? I have a feeling I know more about the chinese culture and Chinese-Americans than you do.
greatest picture ever
A charity should give to those that they say they are going to give to. The salvation army states on their website that they give to families in need, nowhere on the site do they say anything about those families being citizens of the USA. Race, nationality and or religion are not listed in their criteria. They even state that they ministers to prisoners for gosh sakes! If I give to them and they choose to discriminate I would want my donation refunded.
Yes….we are all God’s children especially on Christmas.
@bonitanina20 - well said.
Children are children, no matter how they got here. They should not be penalized for their parents’ behavior.
That’s a tough call, but I’d probably say no.
hell no
@Demise_Through_Ruby_Eyes - I agree. The word charity is sometimes translated ‘love,” and I see no reason why we should not show love to any child who needs some.
yeah
every kid deserves toys on christmas
its not they’re fault if they’re not citizens anyways
Don’t we send gifts to mexico through some charities? You should just put those kids with their families with those gifts and give their kids gifts as they are taken out of the country. Yet again, another genius moment
@saintvi - you kind of remind me of Michael Jackson, the comment and the pic together just make for a compelling case… I can hear him now in that girly voice of his “Children should be considered citizens of the world”
That’s stupid.
Silly Mexican children… no gifts for you
you comeback 1 yr
with greencards
hot topic.. good for you for letting ti out a bit more. Children are children.. and just because their parents are undocumented does not mean they are ..
as a matter of fact, only today i was able to get a family sponsored, the mother is undocumented, all three children are citizens.. the youngest is dying and they have never had Christmas in their entire little lives,, when we asked what the children would want for christmas her response was they never ask for gifts, but they pray every day that their little brother may live a bit longer,, he has a very difficult and untreatable disease. He will probably be turned over to hospice within the next 6 months.
Yes, I think that kids are kids no matter what and who in the world are we to judge who may and who may not receive a small token of love in a world where they normally receive nothing but are grateful just to have food to eat!!
I believe as fervently as anyone that the immigration laws should be enforced. However, those kids are innocent. Give them a toy with the Christmas spirit. THEN round up their parents and ship those families back to where they belong.
@TheGreatBout - let’s look at it another way. what are they being denied? food, shelter, clothing? TOYS!!! OMFG!!! what horrid oppression(sarcasm). there are a few points i would like to put out here.
1) this isnt about the kids, is it? it’s about the parents. if it were not then even children of millionaires would be eligible since children can not afford toys on their own. this is about helping the parents provide(a luxury) to their children, not about the children directly.
2) the toys are a luxury. let’s face it, for mellinia children have done(yes in some parts of the world they still dont have these things) without legos and barbie dolls and didnt all fall down dead every last one for a lack of toys.
3) someone is getting turned away regardless. that’s just how it is, when you have 4 toys and 7 kids, three of those kids are doing without. but let’s bring it back to the real context, are you telling me you are going to sit there and say to the family who went through a legal nightmare, navigated a maze of paperwork and buerocracy and honored the laws of the land “screw you, we’re going to help out those who don’t need to follow the rules” that wont breed resentment or anything(again, sarcasm)
i have a serious problem with deushbags trying to turn looking out for those who have a genuine need and have done all they legally can into some oppression of those who feel the laws just dont need to apply to them. let’s forget the whole race bullshit too, lets keep a real context to it. i have seen violence break out between legal and illegal immigrants over who gets served first with sandwiches being passed out on the street. it isnt a “white vs mexican” thing. there are people who went through holy hell to come here, and to do it legally and their effort and patients should be respected and honored. bullshit attitudes like sarcasticly implying that they are violating God’s law of love by expecting as much(or that it is such a violation to do so) are an easy way to breed further resentment toward illegals, us as a nation(as we reward lawbreakers more than those who honor our laws) and God(since you feel the need to invoke His name against them.)
get it through your head, these policies arent about oppressing the poor innocent law breakers, they are about protecting the rights of those who actually followed the law from having the help they legitimately need swindled from them by those who dont give two shits about the law.
@precessional -i think you struck on a crucial point here, so the question is begged, what gives you(or anyone for that matter) the right to dictate or judge a private act of charity? can they not dole out their charity as they see fit? if not i would appreciate you sending me the christmas presents you bought for your family this year. if you dont that means you are discriminating against me because of something i have no control over. @precessional - let’s adjust your analogy. let’s say there are only 25 open spots in the school and you just walk in, making the number of students 26. do you expect the staff to expell a student that enrolled, participated and paid their fees to accomodate you? but this is what we are talking about. you say discrimination, i see it as protecting the rights of those who chose do the right thing the right way. i think it’s pretty cowardly to hide behind the children and cry foul oppression,(let’s face it, the kids arent the ones complaining, they dont know any better) this is about the parents, and what the parents want to do for their kids. does it suck for the kids? hell yes it sucks. they are being dragged by their parents into a bad situation, they are being used as amunition unfairly in a debate that they dont know enough to care about. they are being exploited. frankly, i find it sickening and if i had my way every one of the people that did such a thing would have ALL of their children taken away and be sent unceremoniously back to their nation of origin with a lifetime ban on reentering the states. children should not be fodder for political debate.
@tracezilla@lovelyish - sounds more like fact than opinion(in other words i completely agree with your line of reasoning). but think about it. do you really think it’s the kids that are complaining? kids would be happy with a wooden block and their family together on christmas. this is about adults exploiting children to make political headway. i say dont even play the game, “the policy is the policy, if you dont like it, start your own charity. “
@ionekoa - Good point, I definitely agree.
@husbandofawife - i believe in most all that you are saying,, but the parents of children that are born in the united states are not given benefits. They are still considered undocumented,.they receive no food stamps nor healthcare except for when the mother in pregnant. As soon as that baby pops out the mother receives no benefits. Believe me!! I am the immigrant outreach coordinator for a very large non profit agency.
I am in total agreement with your statement that we need to be protecting our borders and maybe step away from some of the other areas i which we are now protecting.
good point
I think ALL kids should get something for Christmas, regardless of their circumstances. Those kids are innocent, they shouldn’t be punished with exclusion.
I just think it is sad that people fight so hard against illegal immigration, but then when someone denies illegal children Christmas presents, those same people explode…maybe they’re not the same people, but really…
A child should never be discriminated against, for heaven’s sake.
Even if they don’t get toys they will still get tamales to unwrap and that’s almost as fun because you get to eat them! Cant eat toys!!
That picture looks like my cousins when they were young!!
@JabezPrayer2009 - I’m not saying that I necessarily agree with illegal immigrants being here; because I’m not okay with it. But every child deserves a nice holiday.
The children are innocent. They were brought here. Don’t punish them for what their parents did. I think they should get the toys. It would be cruel to deny them.
for God sakes! they are only kids. Christimas is time for giving so yes
There’s not even enough for people and children of this country, NO! They’re just going to grow up and shoot up your house, anyway. Then how are you going to feel towards them?
Dam, give the kid a fuckin’ toy. They don’t even know where the next meal will come from. Foodstamps run out and toys are good to chew on for hunger pains.
@MomGoneMadd - LMFAO tamales are awesome
@ionekoa - omg are you a professor? you argument your points very well. You keep it objectively based and that seems to be a good route! wow!
@husbandofawife - Very well said!!
They’re just a victim of the cruelest of the world.
no.
yes.