Re: Illegal immigration debate

I think these were different historical times and cannot necessarily be compared.
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I agree. However, saying that these people are wrong for wanting a better life is harsh. Yes they should try to enter the country legally, but those who are already here, should be helped.

Message edited 4/4/2006 12:33:52 PM.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

I'm all for people bettering themselves and since we all know that deportation will not work at this point, I would rather see them paying into the system than not.

There has to be a checks and balance system to what is going on. Undocumented immigrants can be transporters of disease, drugs and in extreme cases like 9/11, have intentions that are not in the best interest of the country. Elis Island used to be the main hub of immigration into this country back in the day. It's unfortunate that we don't have a similiar process in place these days, where everyone goes through a physical/background screening process.

I know as a taxpayer, I am not comfortable with the escalating double digit increases due to higher enrollments in my district. The overcrowding of homes also concerns me when there are 20+ men sleeping wherever they can in a two bedroom dwelling blocks from me. There's no simple solution.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

What I don't get is, why are these people marching with flags from countries they had to sneak out of in search of a better life?

I am all for a crackdown. they're a HUGE drain on our tax system and costing us more than they're saving in "cheap labor"

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

A lot of people are saying that they should come her legally- but I don't think people understand how difficult this is.

First of all, getting a visa to visit the US can be very difficult and expensive. I don't think people realize that. My sister in law cannot come and visit us for the baby's birth because the visa she had last year expired and to get a new visa takes several months, and is very difficult to get. Did I mention that this is just for a VISIT??!!

Many of my friends are from other countries who came here legally- but it is so hard. Most of them have work visas, but if they get fired or want to quit- they lose their visa- so they are stuck working with unfair wages or hours, no benefits, etc... Even if they want to switch jobs, it is always an issue of the visa. You can't believe how restricting it is. These are also educated people, who pay taxes. Also, applying for a green card is a lengthy process- about 5-6 years.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Illegal immigrants are not just from South America. They come from all over the world. Asia, Europe, the Carribeans..etc. Trust me i am not saying that its ok for people to come here illegally. My point is that those who are here, and want to work should be given the opportunity. There are alot of legal immigrants, and US citizens who pay these taxes as well. I am a US citizen, and i pay taxes too. It doesn't bother me. As a teacher i am all for kids getting a better education, even if my classroom has 30 kids.

Message edited 4/4/2006 12:57:56 PM.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

Posted by MrsS2005
It doesn't matter why you commit a crime. Even if there are good intentions behind the act, if you commit a crime, you're considered a criminal.

Plenty of people come to this country legally. I don't think we should support or encourage illegal immigration. I have sympathy for people who are fleeing from horrible circumstances in their country, but I don't think it's the US's responsibility to take care of everyone. I think our country has enough problems trying to take care of its own citizens who are homeless and struggle to support themselves and their families.

WELL SAID

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

What's funny- is that most if not all (i believe) of the 9/11 hijakers were here on visas LEGALLY- maybe a few outstayed their visas. But people are saying that the border control with Mexico would help against terrorists. Did any of the terrorists come through Mexico? How come we don't care so much about the Canadian border?

I think we have to be realistic- we don't want to pay for THEM (oh, how I love the use of the word them)- but yet we think we can deport them- I think the deportation would be more money then paying for "them" - services, education ,etc.

I think it all comes down to racism, and I'm not going to be afraid to say it- the nice "white" neighborhoods don't want the "Brown Lawn Workers" lining up in their neighborhood to get work- but of course it's OK if they come time to time to mow the lawn, as long as they go back from where they came.

Maybe it won't send a good message - or will it- what's wrong with being seen as a country with the compassion to allow people who came, albeit illegally, for a better life the chance to become productive, contributing members of society? Does that show we are weak and tolerant of crime, or does it show that we uphold greater morals than the rest - that allowing people the chance to work and make money legally is a natural right. I wonder what type of message that would send to other countries like Iraq, Iran, and other countries with laws harking back to the stone ages?

I for one would think we are more compassionate a country- that we can see a similarity in these illegal workers to our own grandparents and great grandparents. It's unbelievable how quickly as a society we forget exactly the types of people this country is made up of.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Message edited 4/4/2006 1:19:11 PM.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Can we at least deport all the illegals that are sitting in our jails. I not thrilled about paying for anyone who breaks the law, to get food, clothing and shelter, but especially the ones who have shouldn't be in the country.

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

Re: Illegal immigration debate

This is such a complex issue. My great-grandparents came through Ellis-Island in order to escape extreme poverty in Ireland in the early 1900s.

However, they paid their passage and were processed on Ellis Island. Back then we had a better system of tracking immigrants. They also required a sponsor who would offer employment, they were not illiterate, and spoke English and Gaelic. And even those who lived in their neighborhood also learned to read, write, and speak English.

This is the sticking point for me. When I was in Spain, I learned to speak Spanish in less then a year. I am so tired of having to need 17 different translators who people who have been in this country for over 5 years and they don't honor the ENGLISH language. I do know that we do not have an "official" language, but it is the one that all of our historical documents are written in.

Many illegal also recieve support services for their families. You do not have to be legal to recieve welfare, early intervention, medicaid, etc.

This country can NOT afford to continue to support 12 million people on the backs of their tax payers. It has got to stop somewhere. In 1992, Clinton stopped all immigration from Ireland. It is time for America to step up, close borders, and deport. It may seem harsh, but if it were a European country that had to deal with the same issue, very little would be said.

Re: Illegal immigration debate