Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

It's not only illegal aliens- it is also legal immigrants supporting the illegal aliens.

I for one support them. There is no way they are going away and quite frankly this country doesn't have the man-power resources or money to deport them all and we certainly don't have the money to put them all in jail. They are already here, they are doing jobs that we need them to do. They should be able to become legal, they should pay into the system (even though some already are) and they should reap the rewards of paying into the system. They should have basic rights in their job- they shouldn't be forced to work crazy hours under dangerous conditions- they are human beings too.

To say, 'they should get out, they are illegal" is completely unrealistic because it is never going to happen AND as much as we don't like to admit it, we need them.

Another thing is that it is pretty interesting how illegal alients = latin american immigrants in this discussion. There are MANY other nationalities of illegal immigrant- polish, chinese, vietnamese, etc- yet all we hear about is closing the border w. Mexico.

I also recently read an article that says that 55% of all day laborers are hired by HOME OWNERS. That's right- not contractors, not businesses, but home owners who need extra work done, pick them up at Home Depot, etc. But people aren't wiling to point the fingers at themselves that they are 1) perpetuating the problem and 2) hiring people at below market/poverty line wages... it's terrible...

but then again- most Americans are incredibly unaware of how their actions affects the world around them- look at all the other selfish things we do under the banner of "freedom and individuality"

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Posted by Ambersmom

The only thing I did notice was that N.Ocean Ave was FREE of four hundred men darting in and out of traffic, trying to get to the contractor's vehicles and there was ZERO men urinating up against the Train Tressle.

IMO, we need MORE days like this

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

So check this out... the deli that DH and I frequent employs MOSTLY immigrants (though I do not know whether they are legal or not). On the weekends, in addition to their immigrant workers, they also employ a couple of local HS kids to help with the extra business and to give days off to the other workers (obviously).

Well today...none of the immigrants showed up to work which DH and I expected...BUT get this... the high school kids CALLED IN SICK to school and came to work in their place!!

Now that bugs me because for the HS kids to show up to work in their place goes completely against what is happening today (which is their prerogative, if they want to protest the protests, fine) BUT the deli owner isn't proving anything by having the kids come in because obviously, he would not have been able to open his doors for business today without his immigrant workers. Had the kids chosen to go to school (which what THEY are doing is now illegal) he would have had no one to run his business. Meanwhile, the neighborhood customers walk in and say "see, nothing's wrong here, we don't need immigrants" yet the immigrant jobs are being filled today by KIDS who should be in SCHOOL!

I think this says alot for the argument that it's the employers that need to be criminalized also. Because obviously, this guy (the deli owner) is willing to break any labor law to make a buck.

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Posted by BabyAvocado

So check this out... the deli that DH and I frequent employs MOSTLY immigrants (though I do not know whether they are legal or not). On the weekends, in addition to their immigrant workers, they also employ a couple of local HS kids to help with the extra business and to give days off to the other workers (obviously).

Well today...none of the immigrants showed up to work which DH and I expected...BUT get this... the high school kids CALLED IN SICK to school and came to work in their place!!

Now that bugs me because for the HS kids to show up to work in their place goes completely against what is happening today (which is their prerogative, if they want to protest the protests, fine) BUT the deli owner isn't proving anything by having the kids come in because obviously, he would not have been able to open his doors for business today without his immigrant workers. Had the kids chosen to go to school (which what THEY are doing is now illegal) he would have had no one to run his business. Meanwhile, the neighborhood customers walk in and say "see, nothing's wrong here, we don't need immigrants" yet the immigrant jobs are being filled today by KIDS who should be in SCHOOL!

I think this says alot for the argument that it's the employers that need to be criminalized also. Because obviously, this guy (the deli owner) is willing to break any labor law to make a buck.

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

My understanding is the whole point of this is to show how dependent the economy is on immigrants.

I am not sure how effective it will be because:
a.) I am not sure how many low paid workers can afford to lose a day's pay.

b.) as Don mentioned, I would imagine the possibility of getting arrested or detained would be a huge deterrant to joining in protests or rallies.

As for that deli owner, shame on him!

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

We hear a lot about how dependent our economy is on immigrants, but if immigration continues unchecked, will our economy be able to support it? I wonder, will there be a saturation point, where the jobs just aren't there for all these workers? What happens then?

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Posted by KPtoys

Posted by Sassyz75

It's not only illegal aliens- it is also legal immigrants supporting the illegal aliens.

I for one support them. There is no way they are going away and quite frankly this country doesn't have the man-power resources or money to deport them all and we certainly don't have the money to put them all in jail. They are already here, they are doing jobs that we need them to do. They should be able to become legal, they should pay into the system (even though some already are) and they should reap the rewards of paying into the system. They should have basic rights in their job- they shouldn't be forced to work crazy hours under dangerous conditions- they are human beings too.

To say, 'they should get out, they are illegal" is completely unrealistic because it is never going to happen AND as much as we don't like to admit it, we need them.

Another thing is that it is pretty interesting how illegal alients = latin american immigrants in this discussion. There are MANY other nationalities of illegal immigrant- polish, chinese, vietnamese, etc- yet all we hear about is closing the border w. Mexico.

I also recently read an article that says that 55% of all day laborers are hired by HOME OWNERS. That's right- not contractors, not businesses, but home owners who need extra work done, pick them up at Home Depot, etc. But people aren't wiling to point the fingers at themselves that they are 1) perpetuating the problem and 2) hiring people at below market/poverty line wages... it's terrible...

but then again- most Americans are incredibly unaware of how their actions affects the world around them- look at all the other selfish things we do under the banner of "freedom and individuality"

I agree that America should be open to immigration but it must be LEGAL immigration not people jumping the boarder or coming in on planes, ships and overstaying their visas. The way they are doing it with their demonstrations they are acting as if WE owe them something, some sense of entitlement, and we should just **** it up and accept them and let them be citizens... what about people who are paying and waiting and doing it legally. Its a slap in the face for them.

Yes, it is intersting how you say illegial immigrant and you think Latino but that is the majority of them so it's easy to generalize although you are right there are many nationalities.

I do know that the day laborers in Southampton (not that I hired them but I used to work out there) take no less than $12 an hour off the books which is above the minimum wage that some legal people in Wendy's work for (they had a hiring sign that said they pay UP TO $8 an hour ) so they aren't all being paid under the poverty line...

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

and my Dad went to school to learn how to speak and write English...

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

I dont have a problem with people trying to have a better life but just do it the legal way...

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Posted by Sassyz75

Posted by KPtoys

Posted by Sassyz75

It's not only illegal aliens- it is also legal immigrants supporting the illegal aliens.

I for one support them. There is no way they are going away and quite frankly this country doesn't have the man-power resources or money to deport them all and we certainly don't have the money to put them all in jail. They are already here, they are doing jobs that we need them to do. They should be able to become legal, they should pay into the system (even though some already are) and they should reap the rewards of paying into the system. They should have basic rights in their job- they shouldn't be forced to work crazy hours under dangerous conditions- they are human beings too.

To say, 'they should get out, they are illegal" is completely unrealistic because it is never going to happen AND as much as we don't like to admit it, we need them.

Another thing is that it is pretty interesting how illegal alients = latin american immigrants in this discussion. There are MANY other nationalities of illegal immigrant- polish, chinese, vietnamese, etc- yet all we hear about is closing the border w. Mexico.

I also recently read an article that says that 55% of all day laborers are hired by HOME OWNERS. That's right- not contractors, not businesses, but home owners who need extra work done, pick them up at Home Depot, etc. But people aren't wiling to point the fingers at themselves that they are 1) perpetuating the problem and 2) hiring people at below market/poverty line wages... it's terrible...

but then again- most Americans are incredibly unaware of how their actions affects the world around them- look at all the other selfish things we do under the banner of "freedom and individuality"

I agree that America should be open to immigration but it must be LEGAL immigration not people jumping the boarder or coming in on planes, ships and overstaying their visas. The way they are doing it with their demonstrations they are acting as if WE owe them something, some sense of entitlement, and we should just **** it up and accept them and let them be citizens... what about people who are paying and waiting and doing it legally. Its a slap in the face for them.

Yes, it is intersting how you say illegial immigrant and you think Latino but that is the majority of them so it's easy to generalize although you are right there are many nationalities.

I do know that the day laborers in Southampton (not that I hired them but I used to work out there) take no less than $12 an hour off the books which is above the minimum wage that some legal people in Wendy's work for (they had a hiring sign that said they pay UP TO $8 an hour ) so they aren't all being paid under the poverty line...

But at the same time- they are already here- how are we going to get them out? And- they are already doing jobs we need them to do.

It can be seen in two ways:

as a slap to the face of those that do it the right way

or

as a compassionate people that will make the effort to right the situation instead of spending tons of $ on getting them out- now that $ could go to better things- like helping on so many other more pressing domestic issues.

Really- how crappy would it look if we spent hundreds of milions rounding up these people and making them felons- clogging our court system, paying to put them in jail & deport them- it's ridiculous- at the same time we're cutting funding to education, social services, etc.

Some people say- oh they are a gross, peeing, etc- and you know what, that IS gross- but what if, they are legal now- they are allwoed to work- we take a few dollars (cheap compared to what it would cost to get them out)- to make legitimate day labor centers- where they go to wait for work- it's an agency- it's documented, it would get people off the streets into a safe area, etc.

And yes- while $12 an hour is a better wage, you don't get workers comp or health insurance- if you get hurt- you are in big trouble. Unlike at wendy's yeah, you make $8 an hour, BUT if you get burned on teh deep frying- they have comp for that... if you fall off a ladder- you don't. You aren't able to work, you don't get paid.

I just think it's unreal that the majority of Americans don't see illegal workers as PEOPLE- it's just sad.

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

If you are not a legal citizen why should you be entitled to our rights?

Does it make sense to give someone who is living in this country as a non legal citizen rights? am I living in some sort of twlight zone???

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

I must be living in a bubble too . . .

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

here is what I think....

a lot of them don't want to become legal. then they would have to pay taxes and employers would have to pay them fairly, making them less desirable for jobs like day laborers.

these employers are just as guilty and should get the same criminal treatment!

IMO

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Posted by CAJ

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

here is what I think....

a lot of them don't want to become legal. then they would have to pay taxes and employers would have to pay them fairly, making them less desirable for jobs like day laborers.

these employers are just as guilty and should get the same criminal treatment!

IMO

Well said! SweetestOfPeas

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

Message edited 5/1/2006 11:06:24 AM.

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

ok so lets say, we kick them out and then what? who is going to do some of these jobs that they are doing, most people dont want them!!! I know some people that are here illegally and let me tell you, I wouldnt want to be in their shoes... most of them work so hard just to send back some money home, they dont see their families for years... it is a very difficult decision for these people to decide to come here knowing that they will be here all alone, noone will help you and noone to support you...

Re: Well todays the day...U.S. Prepares for 'Day Without Immigrants'

I wish the govt would do something things cant go on like this either make them legal or deport:

Examples:


Schools


Hospitals