We are obviously divided about this issue.SuperTrooper said it best,"we beat it like it owes us money.".Our government is probably going to be hopelessly deadlocked over it.So lets come to a compromise.This issue is going to succeed in doing one thing and that is divide the whole nation.\nI have said ,"let them ALL stay".ok How about this,\nPpl who have USA born children STAY.\nPpl who have worked and raised their children and own property STAY.\nPpl who brang small children(under 10) with them illegally that have been raised here STAY. \nMen who have children who have never been in their lives and never paid child support OUT.\nPpl who haven't worked but have lived off public assistance OUT.\nPpl who have been convicted of violent crimes OUT.(I think they get deported when they get out of prison anyway,but just in case)\nThe elderly that are here illegally for over 20 years STAY.\n\nI know I am forgetting some cicumstances so leave room for improvements.\nAny suggestions?
129118
Pancha, I can see your rationale here; however, I think you may be just a little bit too generous with your ideas than most American citizens would be able to take. I think it is a good start, though, with maybe some room for negotiation.  \n\nI agree it is going to be almost impossible to deport most of the illegal immigrants who are currently in the US and I can also see the inhumanity of deporting most of them after they have lived here for so long.  I feel it is partly the fault of the American government that so many illegal immigrants have gotten into the US at this point; there has basically been a "tacit" okay from the US government as, for the most part, they have seemed to turn a blind eye for many years, and in that way the illegal immigrants have been encouraged to "come on in and tell all their friends and family to come, too."  They have been taken advantage of by the employers who have hired them at slave wages, but they have been happy to take these jobs because even that is better than what they get at home.  \n\nHowever, I also believe that if the rules are going to be bent for some of the illegal hispanic immigrants, then something must also be done to speed up and make a compromise for the people who have taken the time and trouble to enter the US legally and go through the proper application procedures and pay the fees, etc, or it's not fair to them.  I also understand that there is a lot more motivation for the Mexican and Central American immigrants to come in to the US illegally, just by their proximation to the US border; much harder for someone who has to cross an ocean and has no choice but to come through a legal customs checkpoint, as I think that if it were possible, a lot more illegals would be coming from overseas, too.  \n\nAlso, I understand that the poverty of the hispanic immigrants in their home countries make it difficult, if not impossible for them to take the time necessary to file proper papers (the family is hungry NOW, and can't wait years for applications to go through, they need food now!), let alone be able to come up with the fees. (In this way I believe the US immigration laws are discriminatory towards poor immigrants, and not just hispanic immigrants, as there should be some special consideration for poor immigrants from other countries, as well.)  Obviously, we do have a need for immigrants from all walks of life, not just the professions and not just for people with lots of money to begin with, but labourers, farm hands, janitors, construction workers, etc.  \n\nHowever, if any kind of concessions are made, in the end, for a portion of the current illegal immigrants in the US, I truly believe the government has to immediately and very firmly crack down on the employers who have profited from and taken advantage of the illegal immigrants, so that these people, once they are documented, will no longer be vulnerable to being taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers.  And, also so that these employers are forced to uphold the employment laws and not pay anyone less than minimum wage and minimum legal benefits.  So what if the prices of things go up a little bit - we have obviously been paying artificially low prices for our goods for a long time now, on the backs of the poorly payed and often maltreated and cheated illegal immigrant employees, and so we need to be prepared to pay realistic prices for our goods. \n\nAt the same time, immediately, the borders have got to be secured to prevent any further illegal immigrants from entering the country, while making it easier for them to go through the process legally for work visas.  \n\nAlso, I believe that the illegal immigrants do NOT take pride in NOT paying their fair share of taxes and all their costs to live in the USA.  I believe they are, for the most part, a hardworking, proud segment of society who would take pride in paying their taxes and would do so voluntarily and happily, if they had the
600954
I definitely feel that this needs to be addressed.  The 14th amendment was set in place to ensure that former slaves couldn't be striped of their citizenship rights.\n\nWell, we're past that point of our history and can see that a wave of people entering our country illegally are using this "loophole" to citizenship to be allowed to stay.  Once they bear a US citizen, it's harder to split up the family, because the US citizen cannot be deported.\n\nThis amendment ran it's course and needs to be changed.  Only children born to 2 legal citizens on US soil or abroad should be granted automatic citizenship.
375327
I think everyone who is already over here with children who are US born should have an opportunity to get their citizenship.  Why illegals want to continue to be second class is beyond me.  Get your citizenship and learn English,  then you'll have the grounds to demand things like better jobs and fair pay.  You are only being taken advantage of as you are.  You are shooting yourselves in the foot with the amnesty BS.  I also think if you are here illegally and have committed a crime, you forfeit the chance to be a citizen and should be deported immediately.  Not all anti-illegals are out to get you. We are hoping to find a better, legal system  for you to immigrate so you can truly grasp what America has to offer.  Something besides a broom handle or a shovel so we can stop paying for everything and have more respect for you.
128694
I am very satisfied with the new proposal.It lets most of them stay.How would you transport 11 million ppl to their original country?And thats not even the tip of it what if they own homes or have children that were born here ,that makes them USA CITIZENS.I think it's great
635496
I have lived exactly what you are describing.  I began 'preaching' about this problem about 15 years ago and no one would listen. I then lived in California and worked for Social Services. You can just imagine what I experienced there.  I have since moved back to my home midwestern state and now I see it moving in here as well.  It is an invasion that people and legislators have ignored and avoided doing anything about for far too long and now we are faced with a crisis.  Do I think that amnesty will have them respecting our laws?  OF COURSE NOT!  They came here illegally. That, in itself, makes them lawbreakers, if not criminals..  none of whom respect anything or anybody.
268009
Great Idea!  In addition to that, in regards to education, they, and their children cannot attend a public school for free.  They must pay a tuition fee, yes, even for a public school since they entirely don't meet the "residency" status.  No free lunch or breakfast for them and as far as "after school program" they may not participate.  If they wish to participate, they must pay an enrollment fee, monthly fee, etc.  Those programs are provided by taxpayers, and the people who voted to increase the school budget wanted to help the LEGAL children, not the ILLEGAL children.  Americans can't afford it.  Look at it this way, if I were to attend a University at a different State where I live, I'm sure I am expected to pay extra since I don't meet the "residency" status they required. Same logic.\n\nbtw,\n\nIf you're against illegal immigration, please click on the link below. United we stand, together we'll defeat and deport the illegals!!\n\nhttp://www.illegalimmigrantprotest.com
608337
well,thats what I've been trying to get across.But some ppl don't understand basic english.The only defense they have is that illegals brake the law,don't pay taxes,and commit crimes.1)Americans break the law too,so should we send them back to whatever country they originated from?Or would it be easier to pay a fine?So why can't illegals pay the fines for entering illegally?It's not like they killed someone coming here.2)Every job that pays by checks take out taxes.No matter what kind of SS# you give them,taxes will be taken out.AND,there are tax ID#s now.And if a company doesn't take taxes out on their employees,its not the workers fault--it's the employers.3)Every race has ppl that commit crimes.And if a persons biggest crime is entering here illegally,then I think thats pretty good considering all the american drug dealers,pedophiles,rapists,etc. that are living here now.\n\nI hope you realize you're not the only one who thinks as you do.Good Luck!
387475
My children of course. I just wish illegals and pro-illegals could understand that without becoming angry and calling us names. Currently we are forced to bear the financial burden for illegals and ourselves. Wanna hear 'em scream? Give them amnesty and then let in ten million illegal impoverished Chinese to compete with them for resources just like they did to us. It would take something like that for them to truly understand. I'm not serious about giving them amnesty, though.
396317
First of all, I don't think the govt. will pay any monies to its citizens, due to the welfare issue......Trust me, they will find other ways to spend that saved monies.....But you make a great point, MANY MANY Americans move retire to Mexico every year, due to the lower cost of living....I find that hypocritical.....I mean its bad when illegals come here for a better life, but its ok when Americans retire overthere because of the lower cost of living....
533994
Dont Think Of It As "rounding up and kicking out" \nThink Of It As "Family Re-Unification" With The Dear Loved Ones \nThat Are Recieving 39 Billion Untaxed US Dollars Every Year \n\nWe Can Ease The Pressure On Social Services \nAnd Keep 39 Billion In OUR Economy \nWhile Providing Low Skill Entry Level Jobs \nTo The 18 Million American Citizens That Are Out Of Work \n\n\n\nLet's Not Call It "Kicked Out" Or "Deported" \nLets Call It "REPATRIATION" \nOR We Can Take A Page Out Of Eisenhower's Book \nAnd Call It " Operation Wet*Back " \n\nPC Works Both Ways \n\nDEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS \nAnd Their ILLEGAL ALIEN ANCHOR BABIES \nIMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY
303132
the problem is our country can not afford to care for many of the illegal immigrants and though we want to give everyone equal rights and medical care and social security, and all the rights of a human regardless of what race or religion they are, but the bottom line is we don't have it and it is like closing the door to the neighbors who are hungry because your children do not have enough to eat. When we get older there will be barely any SSI and retirement benefits...do you want to have less and go hungry so you can help others come to our country?  I wish we could screen the ones WHOo need to come here for their safety and the ones wh come here just to get  away from their own government from illegal actions, drugs, or employment.\nI want to share with others and I have compassion but I am a nurse and I see old people every day who are hungry, get meals on wheels from the church and can not afford to buy their medicine.  I have seen people who are young and poor die because the insurance would not pay for certain drugs they needed. we have to draw the line some place, don't we?
345416
I hope it wakes him up to see that any "comprehensive" plan is impossible to enforce because they are constantly going to try and find some way to show they are exempt....even if it means using their children as pawns.  Even abiding by the rules that the Senate wanted to pass, with the "path to citizenship", she would not have been allowed to stay here.  She was already deported,  had here stay extended.  She's failed at every legal move since.  Even with chances and reprieves she LOST....but still won't abide by the law.  She's 1 and you can imagine all the chaos when they all try their shot at it.  As far as I'm concerned she proved there is no way but strict enforcement to get these people out of here.  They just don't think they have the responsibility to abide by ANY law.  "For the sake of the children" burned out a long time ago.  To me this is the same as some thug holding his child as a shield from bullets.  She looking out for HER best interest.  They make it sound like their children will be taken away from them.  Some even go so far to say the kid couldn't make it in Mexico because they don't know Spanish and it would be stressful to assimilate.  They haven't assimilated here and don't seem to know English either.  All their "excuses" don't work.  They made the choices and any problems for their kids are THEIR fault not ours.  The kids are free to go with them.  If not, then sign them over to a legal guardian. Otherwise they can come back when they are of legal age and hopefully learn from their parents mistakes.  They need to learn that having children doesn't make them exempt from having to abide by the law.
97135
I think it is great. I think 5 years is more than enough time for illegals to get their things in order and gain citizenship or leave. It's not because I think we are better than them. It's because I live in Northwest-Arkansas. And for those of you who don't know. There is a sign on the US side of the Mexican border that says "Come to Northwest-Arkansas for work" Well, that's great...because half of the people I know...can't get jobs, because illegals are taking them. How is that fair? This is the first right thing that Bush has done. Why protest it? I DO believe that illegal immigrants should have the right to the American Dream, if they gain citizenship. But when you think about it, The money that is taken out of your weekly paycheck, that is supposed to go to the Social Security Fund, (to help you and your family out later on in life) is paying for their healthcare and their housing in some cases. So, tell me, how is it fair that the people who are citizens, get to pay for the illegal immigrants' needs and get nothing in return. Do you think  there will be any money left, when it is your turn to need the Social Security money?
346352
honestly, this system is a two sided coin.\n\non the one side you have the single mom and others like her that are doing everything they can to get out of the system while on the other hand you  have those that see it as a way of avoiding responsibility while living the commercialized, materialistic life that America has so long endorsed.\n\nThere are certainly things that could be better about the system but the fact is there currently are not enough people with the heart to work for reduced wages to police the system and make sure that all that apply are using the funds wisely.  Can we fix the problem without hurting those that are actually in need?\n\nThink about it, if we make the process more invasive, meaning longer, you dissuade those that are perpetrators but also those that are truly in need.  the time spent going through the more invasive process is time that could be spent looking for a job or earning income.\n\nKeep the process as it is and anyone with time and patience has access to government funds.\n\nWhat is the final answer?  Is there only one answer that will solve the problem of abuse to the system?
589826
Thank the pro-hispanic lobby on this one, what it largely seems to amount to is a 'shotgun wedding' between the US and Mexico, and american taxpayers are supposed to buy off on all this garbage and not bat an eye. Since the reverse effect is happening, well it kind of shows that the GOP's head and hind-quarters aren't very well connected anymore, or one has lapped the other, something like that...what this also brings to light, though, is all these other 'programs' that give money away all over the place, Matthew Lesko's dream-come-true, and the taxpayer's worst nightmare, wealth redistribution in the worst possible sense. I think if we're going to help Mexico, it needs to be a lot more metered, and done AFTER the border's nailed shut, so as to minimize the negative impact on american communities. I think when the House finally gets around to consulting the voters on this one, there's going to be a general consensus going back to washington that basically says 'fix the border, and forget the rest of it'. It's a nice idea to try and help others, but if that 'help' is just going to get abused, there's not much point to it. Necessity's the mother of invention, and a lot of the people that originally settled the United States didn't get much 'help', because there wasn't any. Let's not have any more of this 'give away the country to appease your 3rd world business partners' garbage....Mexico could be rolling in money(some already are, they just don't share out) and feed, clothe, and educate every last one of their citizens, probably just off their oil revenues, but instead they'd like to ride the american guilt trip into a split-level condo...time for voters/taxpayers to wake the hell UP and say 'no mas' at the polls, come november...
674631
You have it summed up to a "t".  It's ridiculous to me that we are not as focused on healthcare for those who have worked so hard and so long to help build this nation.  Basic healthcare for our children should also be paramount to "the powers that be" in D.C., but it's not.  The common working man/woman can hardly afford to feed, clothe themselves/ their children, pay rent/mortgage, pay health insurance (if available to them), and fill their tank up with gas (if they can afford the necessary "luxury" of a car).  It is getting to the point where some people find it hard to afford getting to work.  Homelessness has not diminished.  The war on drugs is a farce.  Trying to keep "illegal" immigrants out of the country is so hypocritical to me- the Statue of Liberty was a welcoming vision for immigrants who once came here from other parts across the ocean, but we cannot welcome people who want a better life just across the border? I won't go into the obvious difference between those European immigrants and our Mexican and Haitian neighbors who would also like a chance at a better life filled with "opportunity".  America is now just a huge corporation that is all about money and not the people who keep it functioning- the common man/woman who WORK for a SEMI-living.
73908
COOL!\nThat's the way it should be! The key word in all this is ILLEGAL! If you aren't supposed to be here then you don't deserve ANYTHING from us.\nI don't want to pay for your ILLEGAL brats to go to school (notice the spelling is correct!) I don't want ILLEGAL people, working in the US, taking jobs that our LEGAL citizens need. I don't want to pay welfare benefits for ILLEGAL scumbags that drain resources we should use for our LEGAL elderly. Illegal losers and scumbags cost us taxpayers millions of dollars every year...do you think that violates my rights, do you think that's fair to me? Hell No! So quit your freekin' whinning! \nIf you're here illegally you should be arrested, put in jail, raped by a big hairy ape man, and then deported to the country you came from!\nI know I'll be voting IN FAVOR of this prop!!!\nI hope the rest of WORKING America votes for it too!