I personally think all this immigration stuff is very important. I was thinking instead of changing law what do people think about annexing with mexico, think about it , the country is not in good shape, if they were part of our contry we would not have the immigration issues now, and we could help that country so much by giving it the same freedoms and opportunitys as here, the free market would thrive, the children would get better education. the roads would be in better shape more jobs for all americans. and the tax base would grow.\n\ncorruption would not be near as rampant.
122516
This would be a nightmare for the American Economic System.  We already have enough problems dealing with poverty, that would overwelm us even more.  What is the benifit to the US?
306374
Great question!  I am an American living in Mexico.  I can see why they want to leave, it sucks down here.  But, I think they ought to stay here and fight to make this a more liveable place.  The educational system is a joke, (free education stops at the 6th grade) clothes and shoes are expensive, the roads are horrible and there is a 15% tax on EVERYTHING!  On top of the 15% tax they still have to pay income tax.  Only the financially well off can afford good health care.  The government is so corrupt they pocket around 80% of the tax money. \n\nWhy in God's name don't they demand better instead of risking their life savings not to mention their lives running for the border?\n\nAdditional info: I am here because my husband was transferred here.  I say it sucks because of the government being so corrupt.  The Mexican people have been nothing but sincere, giving, honest and respectful to me and my family.  I think they deserve more than what they are getting from their government.
105648
There are over 200 million US citizens, so you probably have more than one opinion!  I as one US citizen don't feel threatened by Mexican immigration.  The system we currently have is broken.  I believe the law should not be broken and employers should be fined if they hire illegals.  At the same time, why not let Mexicans come legally to the US, give them Social Security numbers and keep everybody paying into the social programs.  Many illegals are paid cash, which means there is less money going to pay for the soon to retire baby boomers.  Mexico has a young population, but the US has a aging population.  The US needs more Mexican immigration.  If people come to work, fine.  I wouldn't want people to come and to demand social programs and services in Spanish.
175328
there is going to be changes in our government concerning Immigration laws. There is a big movement because Senate is trying to pass a bill called HR 4437 that criminalizes all immigrants and all that help an immigrant in any way regardless what they are to you. So all immigrants and their families, friends, etc., are doing a boycott on May 1st. "A Day W/O A Mexican" trying to get the government to see what a huge impact it would make in the States if they deported 12Mil Immigrants. It would make a huge change. So either they come up with a fair law, or send them off back to their countries and loose alot of money. There for there will be a huge CHANGE!
309049
Honestly when it comes to this whole debate about immigration I'm a bit torn.  \n\nHere are some of my thoughts (whether they make sense or not is another story):\n\nToday I was able to order lunch at McDonalds today and they got my order right thanks to the illegal immigrants not being at work because of the boycott.\n\nOur nation was built by many great people, most of whom were immigrants. But the immigrants who came here previously worked hard to learn the language and make a better life for their families.\n\nToo many immigrants don't understand why they are really boycotting anyway.  Seeing someone draping themselves with a Mexican flag doesn't scream "I want to be an American and make a better life for my family" it says more that they want to bring everything that is Mexico with them even though they are running from it by coming here in the first place.\n\nAmerican students are held back to make sure their immigrant counterparts are able to get up to speed which proves difficult because of language and cultural barriers.\n\nSome immigrants like one of my neighbors do work their tails off to learn english, contribute to the community and help their neighbors out when in need.  The neighbor I am speaking of mows the elderly woman across the street's lawn and shovels her walk during the winter.  His wife will often cook dinners for another neighbor who is pregnant and whose husband is in Iraq.\n\nTo answer your question would I boycott a business that closes to support the Hispanic community?  I don't know.  It would probably depend on what I knew about the business and their motives for doing so.  It's a tough call, at least for me.
478446
That's the great thing about America.  It was founded by immigrants and that makes it a great country.  Our founders came over here and started a nation with equal opportunity for all.  I think that the immigration laws need to be restructured, but I don't think it's fair to limit immigration when that's what it is founded on.
199730
NO!!! What makes you think that Mexicans want to be colonized by the US??\nI am a Mexican and really, I don't want Mexico to be part of the US. The fact that some Mexicans come to the US for better oportunities does NOT mean that ALL MEXICANS want to be in the US, nor that Mexicans want to loose their own identity and country for an extra couple of bucks. \nImmigration is a very complex issue and as you may nottice most of the immigrants keep their own culture and remain loyal to their countries of origin. \nIf the US tried to just take over Mexico there would be a war, I'm not saying Mexico would win but we will not go without a fight!
551264
Well....all those people that live here illegally have had a taste of freedom, perhaps they should take it back to Mexico or wherever they come from and spread it around. We as a nation are not responsible for cleaning up the world. Sometime people need to stand up for themselves instead of running to another country and enabling their country of origin to continue with their corruption with the funds they send back.
644205
Why not put it in writing, and call it the 'mexico needs to go home Act'? Bluntly spoken, that's what all this is about, not about foxes and rabbits, but about an indigent nation(well, not really, but they still screw their people regularly) trying to permanently ingratiate and integrate itself into the american fabric. Increasingly, americans are seeing a Big Problem with all of this, and already they're starting to work on things like recalls for pro-mexico politicians etc., with some degree of success. Hopefully, when the House goes national and starts canvassing the individual states through polling, the issue will be brought to a head, and dealt with, and in such a way that it sends the message 'don't go away mad, just go away' to Mexico.  Mexico fully has the potential to be independently wealthy. It's just that they choose to keep leeching off america in any/every concievable way, from trying to advocate 'growth'(open borders), more debt(more money for their people in america), and yes mexico's got advocates that are active in our american political system(see 'conflict of interest). At the end of the day, though, it boils down to a fair amount of incompetence, and no small amount of intellectual dishonesty on the part of our own representation also, along with sweetheart deals on behalf of big business that wants only more fresh mexican meat. Last time I checked, this country wasn't a wholly owned subsidiary of either Exxon, or Big Lettuce. Both can go to hell and have a GREAT day, for my nickel, we're talking about YOUR rights, liberties, citizenship, birthright, etc etc etc being sold down the river by a politician with a relative in the meat-packing industry etc. The more of THOSE clowns that can be weeded out prior to election day, the better off we are. \nThere's a workforce of approximately 150 million people in America. There ARE no jobs 'that americans won't do'. This type of rhetoric grits the teeth of most people that have worked for any measurable amount of time in america, and it's time to call some of our so-called 'representation' on the carpet about it, and get some reforms instituted so that Mexico understands FULL and WELL that 'the game is up' for their cross-border psuedo-law shenanigans.  \n\nCutting handout programs that practically encourage people to 'run for the border' would be a GREAT start. But, it's not the only step, another great step would be actual border enforcement that bars no holds, works as advertised, is publicly accountable, is provided sufficient external oversight by a disinterested 3rd party, is audited, and is equipped with the necessary wherewithal to accomplish its' job in a quick and efficient manner. \n\nTake the handout money, and buy a fleet of 2nd hand charter buses, and 10 airplanes. Hire top-flight mechanics and drivers, \nget the border fence(s) built, and take care of business. No more tap-dancing, no more excuses, no more half-ass half-measures,\njust get the job DONE. Take note of the people that bitch loudest, and see how many 'friends' they have in places like Mexico. \n\nThere is That Which Is America, which needs to be preserved and not sold down the river for $2,500 as the Senate would gladly do. And, yes, there are other countries that let their people go to america, they, too, can fix their own domestic problems instead of expecting america to do it. Places like Africa can discover 'birth control' and 'reading'...this isn't rocket science, either...
201149
we need legal immigrants not illegal immigrants , that's why there is a law. because this issue has come up in the past and that's how are fore fathers dealt with it lets see'' to many people came then it start freaking messing with the population then it messed with not enough jobs for everybody so they made a law sorry we cant take the  a whole nation of mexico sorry ,and i know blah blah we are not the only illegals true i am saying all illegals is that clear but lets face it mexico is where most illegals come from sorry you need to own it . now you could give it to us and we can try to fix it but they don't want that and you get what we got here some men you just cant help , they want to stay illegal or they want legalism under their terms \n\n\nreally what people sneak into a country and then start demanding things be done their way is that crazy or what!\n\n\nbananabean i thought it was a good question that pertains to legal americans and under our laws we have every right to decide what happens to the illegals here and while we should worry about the nuclear  problem ,in this context of this debate does nothing to show your point of view and  telling him to go kill himself wasnt very nice  as you like to point out so often when people attack the other side of this debate
627527
I'd support such a move not because of any of my personal politics or beliefs, but because Americans need to be reminded about what all this freedom and democracy and inalienable rights $h!t is about.  If heads are so fed up, if everyone's so f--king outraged, they need to get offline and go do something about it.  Look how fast immigration issues got sent up when all the illegal workers rallied and boycotted.  They're not even citizens and they're more American than Americans!\n\nFor some interesting info, though, check Harper's magazine's April issue (I think)-- there's a round table discussion about the possibility, feasability, and consequences of a modern-day American coup detat.
128111
I think all illegal immigrants should be deported, they simply cannot just cut in front of the millions of people trying to get to this country legally! I can't understand why there is opposition to this theory. I understand that Mexico is much poorer than the U.S. and it is good to help those in need, but they need to come here legally. Without secured borders we are vulnerable to terrorism: in the sense that any and all walks of life can penetrate our borders. I am fine with people coming here legally, so please secure our open borders.
242480
this is a complex topic.  i think that a lot of illegal immigrants are getting short changed.  i think that everybody should research the topic thoroughly before making a judgement.  that's why i don't have my opinion completely formed yet.
518567
I completely agree with you, it was a win-win situation. Besides, immigration is what has made this country the economic Juggernaut that it is as well as keeping us vital.
292791
I can't believe the drivel that comes out of some people's mouths (or, in this case, fingers).\n\nThere are clearly two distinct camps on both the issue of illegal immigration and the invasion on Iraq. However, I am of the opinion that both do not necessarily require the same answer.\n\nIllegal immigrants come to the United States seeking a better life. They frequently face numerous challenges just to get here, and then they face racism and intolerance when they get here. I think there are many problems with the current immigration laws, and I don't see an easy solution. However, I don't think the current laws are fair. The citizenship test is all but impossible, and the whole process is terribly expensive. Now think about it--most of the people who want to come here are looking for a better life. They don't have the financial or educational resources to do so through legal means. At the same time, I don't think we should allow everybody to immigrate to the U.S. We are already overpopulated! My class is already full, and a number of my students are illegal immigrants. It's a challenging dilemma, and the right and wrong of it are completely ambiguous.\n\nThe invasion on Iraq, on the other hand, was unnecessary and violated international policy. It was a means for Bush to garner support and rally the country after 9/11. It worked so well that he just wants to continue with it. Propaganda will influence a majority of the population a majority of the time. We don't need to be there. This war is about more than terrorism, or even oil. It's about making Bush look good.
330602
OK here is my spin. I support the amnesty position...that being said I DO NOT support DEMANDING amnesty.  \n\nTHAT BEING SAID....illegal immigrants have lived next door to all of us for the last 10-20 years.  You have probably talked, laughed, drank a beer with quite a few.  This CRAZINESS that the US is currently experiencing has been a blister waiting to pop for years.\n\nNOW...now we are all up in arms.  \n\nSo to finally answer the last part of your question.  I read an article not long ago that stated illegal aliens generate 77 billion dollars that the states are reaping the benefits of as well as Mexico...so I feel that stimulates BOTH economies.  \n\nI cannot tell you if any one of them will appreciate it.....I would hope that they and their children and all generations after do....but....who can say.
485515
I think I like this kind of talk\nBottom line: The issue may come down to what one veteran pollster called "sequencing" -- where voters want the government to demonstrate that it's serious about reducing illegal immigration before legalizing 12 million people. That would mean first controlling the border and creating a tamper-proof citizenship card so that employers who hire illegal workers can be prosecuted then assembling a legalization plan.  \n\nI could definitely live with this.Thanks for the great information\nIn the words of that great sage Yogi Berra(not sure of the spelling)\n"It ain't over till its over"