Everyone here has an idea to solve the immigration problem. But let us look at what it will really take to fund any of the simplest ideas.  What are you willing to give up for your ideal solution?\n\nYEA's explain what you are willing to give up. \n\nNa's well we know you are not willing to give any thing up, so explain why not?
213328
OK,I have been called alot of names for this but here I go ....\nThere are 12 million illegal immigrants in this country RIGHT NOW.If they all became LEGAL right now that means:\nThey for sure would be paying taxes.(imagine how much 12 million ppl would contrbute)\nThey would have to be paid decent wages(thus not lowering wages).\nThey would no longer be ILLEGAL.(tired of hearing that one,how are ppl illegal).\nThey would be documented,with health screens,finger prints,background checks.\nThey could no longer be exploited.\nI know I am forgetting some things,but I think this is the only solution(here come the insults).I don't agree with breaking apart families,or sending ppl away that have been productive members if this society for decades."Illegal" immigration has been going on for a long time and only now it is a country wide issue.And I don't think all those ppl should be deported because some ppl want to label them as "illegal" or because they are stigmatized.\nAnd I also think the border should be better looked after.I love my ppl, but damn.
438906
Great idea.. sue the government for diverting tax dollars to non-citizens through medicaid, food stamps, welfare, public schools.  It may be the only way to address the problem.  Until we take away all these reasons to invade this country, the problem will get worse.  Their effect on wages (just look at the unchanged minimum) has been devastating.
317249
Once again, a number of you have allowed the media to do your thinking. This isn't about immigration...it was supposed to be about ILLEGAL immigration.  I don't understand how those of you who went through the task of becoming legal be so generous to just GIVE legal status to those who have not sacrificed (like you did) to have it.
380676
Don't even get me started.  I have so many problems with the immigration problem in the US I am not even sure where to begin.  The bottom line is that we spend billions on social welfare programs for people that contribute nothing more to this country than provide cheap labor.  I don't think it is unreasonable to ask that these folks go thru the legal immigration progress, and then become a productive "tax paying" citizen.
257181
I think we should break down the questions into three parts, and address the overarching themes (since we do not know what the final shape of the immigration bill will be).\n\nFIRST PART:\nShould there be immigration? The answer is a resounding yes. America is a nation of immigrants, and unless you're the great grandson of Sitting Bull, you are of immigrant origin. Immigration is what gives strength to this country: where do you think George Washington and Lincoln came from, spontaneous combustion? What about Einstein? \n\nFurthermore, while many sit around and complain about immigrants, the US is the country with the most transnational corporations in the world, which means we derive a great portion of our wealth from doing business abroad--so I think we can take a few immigants from those countries in which we do business. Mexico happens to be our fourth largest trading partner which means a lot of Americans have jobs because Mexicans are buying our products. \n\nAlso note that a lot of Americans are staffing the branches of US transnational corporations in other countries. For instance, Japan is the country with the second largest population of Americans (after the US, evidently, and excluding Iraq and Afghanistan were American populations are in theory temporary) and Mexico is the country with the third largest population of Americans.\n\nIt's true that it would be good if Mexico could provide enough work for its own citizens, but the fact is that it cannot do that yet; as neighbors the US and Mexico need to sit down and work together to find a solution. Building a fence will not even help; we'll probably have to hire immigrants to help us build it!\n\nSeparately, someone claimed that immigrants come here to take advantage of Social Security and our welfare state. In fact, statistically speaking, it has been proved again and again that immigrants work hard enough to earn their Social Security, just like any other worker in America. In addition, it's also a statistical fact that there are more Americans on welfare than immigrants; illegal immigrants do not really have access to it, since they are not US citizens and cannot receive it.\n\nHaving said that, you might say, "OK, but there ought to be a legal process to allow immigrants".  Fair enough. Which leads me to the second part of my answer.\n\nSECOND PART: \nShould there be a temporary guest workers program (which President Bush has proposed) that will eventually allow immigrants to become citizens?\nBy all means. Immigration is actually good to oil the global economy and the American economy. As economies develop, such as the US economy has, the citizens become more wealthy and better educated, which leads them to look for better paying jobs. If you are well educated, you are not going to apply for a fruit-picking job, you'll try to become a lawyer, businessman or a college professor, for example. Immigrants are the ones who help us do the jobs in sectors that suffer from labor deficits.\n\nThere are those who argue that if immigrants didn't come to the US, the minimum wage would be higher and therefore US citizens would be more willing to do those jobs. That's nonsense, because of what I just explained: a better educated population does not want to work in agriculture, work as house maids or delivery boys! If Mexico and the rest of Latin America fell of the face of the Earth, other immigrants would come from other countries to take up the jobs that nobody else is doing. In fact, that's what happened when most people came from Europe over the last 200 years. Do you think my or your great-great grandaddy was the Duke of Earl? He was likely as uneducated as any immigrant you meet on the Texas border!\n\nHaving said that, I understand the frustration that many people feel when they see immigrants coming to the US and getting jobs while they are having trouble getting jobs themselves. However, that's not the fault of the immigr
132600
It´s a lovely idea, but doesn´t sound like anything the current US administration would go for.  After all, while hyping the immigration issue in the media and, frankly, whipping up racism, they are also quite happy to turn a blind eye to US businesses using cheap illegal labour. It´s happening in all western countries at the moment.  The media, backed by the government, incites its citizens to be worried about illegal immigration, while the economy actually benefits from the black market economy working with it. I´m in Mexico now on holiday, but staying with family.  It´s a hard place, with a bad atmosphere.  It definitely needs some help, but everyone here says the corruption is so far reaching, there is no hope.  Your idea is nice but too socialist for anyone in today´s political arena and, like Iraq, would require serious investment, commitment and integrity..... never forget it´s all about the money.
600009
Why Oh Why! do so many people come up with these asinine, inane, and totally ludicrous scenarios to justify illegal immigration. You are making a comparison where there is absolutely no correlation between the two situations. Remember it is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION that this country has a problem with.
264847
1. Yes! But that'll probably never change\n\n2. I think the bigger problem lies in US companies moving overseas....I wish that would be addressed as much as this illegals crap has lately. \n\n3.*sigh* yes (as I pawn another ring to get gas money for the week)\n\n4. It's a problem, but not as big as the others.....just move away from the shore people...\n\n5. Ugh....yes, how many more years? 3? ****....\n\n6. A bit redundant....see answer to question one\n\n7. See above (although not nearly as badly)\n\n8. Nah, if you've got a mind of your own, you know what to believe and what not to.\n\n9. Please....no.\n\n10. Heck no...\n\n11. Yes....if the pres. doesn't have to follow the law, why do we? Bunch of bullsh!t if you ask me....\n\n12. No (within reason), I think a woman should have a right to do what she wants with her own body.....but those late term abortions....those have gotta go (shudder) unless the mothers life is in danger - and then -once again - it should be her choice.\n\n13. I don't see a problem with this....isn't that what church is for?\n\n14. Don't quite get this one...unemployment is a problem yes...(see answer to question #2)\n\n15. Should be available to ALL. Just because some poor childs parents brought them over here illegally, doesn't mean they should have to suffer for it.\n\n16. A-Ha! I didn't read ahead, my bad....I've alreaady answered this, so there ya go....\n\n17. Pure INSANITY....yes...\n\n18. Being blown WAY out of proportion, just ike the flu last year. Most people won't be affected by it, and if they do,it won't be any worse than the regular flu.\n\n19. sure, ok, yes I guess, lol\n\n20 No.
355516
I think a wall should be built only if/when we decide to enforce our own immigration laws otherwise it will not do any good.  It has to be in phases, you build a wall, and then what, amnesty, guest worker programs, what would be next?  Something realistic I hope because some of the solutions Ive seen on here are a little extreme and not going to happen ever, the people who suggest them while claiming to be so smart, really aren't if they think that will be allowed or even lawful.
285431
The ONLY way we will ever solve the illegal immigrant problem is to take away the incentive for them to come here. If they couldn't get jobs and free social services without legal status, they wouldn't keep coming.
545454
What this country needs is to stop all the opposing party bashing and just get down to what we as american's want to know.  How are they going to fix the problems of this country? (i.e. the job situation, poverty, making employers pay a liviable wage, health care) I don't want promises they are never going to keep or even intended to keep.  I want to know how they are going to do it.  We are one of the most powerful nations in the world yet we can not seem to be able to keep work here.  It is all being shipped overseas, why, my theory is because of the rich people are to dang selfish and want to keep all the money to themselves so they send the jobs to china, mexico, or any other place they can get cheap labor.  It doesn't matter to them that the people in this counrty are starving, homeless, have no health care as long as they are lining their pockets.  These are the real issues that is troubling america.  I don't care if Joe Blow sent someone an email that was distasteful.  I don't care if former President Clinton did his secretary, housekeeper or his maid that is not the issue that we as Americans should be worried about.  \n\nOur people are in trouble here and no amount of any community or country service is going to do any good if we keep having people in office that just don't give a damn.  In my state we have a guy running for govenor who has sent so many jobs over to china, set up his own company in the Bahamas just so he didn't have to pay taxes.  I am sorry people like that I do not want running my state.  He says he is all for jobs, yea as long as he don't have to pay someone a livable wage.  As long as he can send his jobs to China what makes everyone think he is going to create jobs here.  \n\nPoliticans can promise you everything under the sun and so many people believe them.  I don't.  Unless someone who is running for office will put himself in the shoes of the poor in this country and work that dead end job for minimum wage and try to pay his bills, take his family to the doctor when needed without having any health insurance, drive a vehicle that is on its last leg because you can not afford to finance another one.  If they would do that without the help of any money they have coming from their big money jobs they have right now then I say let them do it.  I can guarantee you they will not beable to last a month.  \n\nA former govenor tried it here in my state but he was getting money from his accounts to live on and he said that anyone can live on a minimum wage job.  Needless to say he lasted one term.  Your idea is good but it would not work.  Just about eveyone I know good or bad has done what you are asking.  They vote for the idiot that we have in office now.  It doesn't matter if it is the congress, presidency, or your own state office seats that they are voting for.  They usually end up picking someone because they are from their favorite party and not looking at the issues and what would be good for the whole state or country instead they look at what is going to benefit them.  They usually end up losing in the long run.\n\nOk, I am done rambling.  I know some of you are probably going to rate this as a negative but that is ok because it is your choice.  That is what is so great about this country we at least still have a voice and we are able to make the choices that we do.  \n\nGood luck to you when you go and vote on the 7th.  I do hope you pick someone who is worth it and can do the job.
329782
HAHA...\n\nMy Idea Exactly...\n\nOr MAYBE WE SHOULD LAY DOWN A MINE FIELD TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION...
136920
Hi, I was just stopping by your question to see if any Democrats had some great ideas! LOL So far, I see no answers....I, too, hear alot of belly aching from the Democrats but I want to hear their solutions in DETAIL! Thanks for asking the question!
219319
"Give me your tired, your poor, \nYour huddled masses yearning to breathe free, \nThe wretched refuse of your teeming shore. \nSend these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, \nI lift my lamp beside the golden door!!" \n\nI believe there is a caveat to what is on the Statue of Liberty; Be willing to work hard and contribute to the fabric of America, not come here and expect the citizens to give you handouts.  That is what the idea of legal immigration is all about.  Do you have a job lined up?  do you have a means of support?\n\nPeople that are against illegal immigration are not racist or against the people, but are against the idea that we should have immigrants that come into the country and expect us to give them the life they dreamed of.
466468
I think that your city council is a GREAT place to take that concept. City planners are kind of the base level of government, as it were, and most representative, because they deal with US citizens everyday. If many cities across the nation come to similar conclusions on the issue, and pass to county, to state, and on up to Washington, then there'll be consensus and consequently better national policy. These people are our elected and appointed officials, and they should kind of be listening on this one, even if they think they're rich enough to just disregard all that, or have lots of friends in the oil business or whatever, illegal immigration is one example issue that's an integrity-tester, because it deals with, what else, Large Sums Of Money. \n\nExample: I work for company X. I have a Suitcase Containing A Large Sum Of Money. You'll be the county planning guy, for purposes of this argument. My company, company X, wants to build a chicken processing plant(insert name of enterprise here), and bring our army of guatemalan illegal aliens who work for 2 bucks an hour, and we want to set it up in your county. Would you take the money?\nWe make a billion a year, net profit, with our nationwide chain of illegal chicken processing houses. The suitcase has 10 million dollars in it. Would you take the money? Hmmmm.....like I said, this is an integrity-tester...
171529
As far as the immigration issue, I have no problem with anyone wanting to immigrate, but why all of the sneaking over? Does it just take so long to go through all of the red tape or something? Just curious. I didn't see any of the previous postings, but you are completely correct! Unless you are of American-Indian descent, TECHNICALLY none of the rest of our bloodlines originated in what is now the United States! It frustrates and saddens me to see that people are still so ignorant. Even more so when I see them passing these beliefs and attitudes down to their young children! I think there is no greater crime than that! Where did the innocence of youth go? Way to go though. Great topic!
223504
No, I think the solution is simple.  Give legal status only to those who apply and earn it.  Quite frankly, keeping the current laws on the books and just not enforcing them has been working as far as I'm concerned but if they are going to press the issue, we need to enforce the laws that they are knowingly breaking.  As an American who was born here, what laws do I get to break?  How about illegal aliens from Iraq, do we give them amnesty as well?