The first immigration laws were passed by president Coolidge in 1924. So legally speaking, anyone who came before then is neither legal or illegal, since immigration was outside the law before then. The only illegal immigrants in US history came here after 1924, most American's families have been here longer than that.
218466
You are ABSOLUTELY right. Take in to consideration, in 1607, there was no "America", this was a new world, without a name, and without a law. The Europeans who came here did a million things wrong (treatment of Natives), but we have spent decades trying to correct that. If you are 1/3 or more Native American, you do not have to pay taxes. It's probably not enough, but you can't change the past. \n\nThank you, by the way. I was unsure when immigration laws were passed. Now I have more to feed my argument with. Let's not forget about Ellis Island. Before border control, that was all we had. Every person who came in this country for about two decades passed through there. They underwent inspection after inspection, and if they had a HINT of ilness, they were sent home, no questions asked. Think of the thousands (or more) who tried to come here the "legal" way (since that was the ONLY way), and were denied access. If we just let anybody come here, without rules or guidelines, it's like slapping the face of those who never made it. \n\nI think we need better border control, and speedier citizenship processes. We need to tell the people we want to deport "If you want to stay here, here's the paperwork. You can live HERE (name of city or building or street) and work THIS (name of specific job or jobs) until you finish your immigration papers. If you are not legal by (Set date) you will be deported. Then, we tighten border control and deport EVERYONE we see come here illegally. \n\nNow that immigration is inside the law, we need to address the issue and handle it properly. We need to quit arguing about the past, because it is behind us. Let's move on and fix our nation.
111875
When looking at this issue here in this forum I was beginning to think that all America had gone crazy by only really considering 2 categories.  Citizen or Illegal.  There is a third category and that is Alien Residents who are in the country legally.  There is a large difference and I am glad that you to have noticed it as well.  All of us started out as immigrants at one point of history or another.  Even the Native Americans are said to have come from somewhere else, however as they settled the land centuries before any one else they are the only ones who we can say did not immigrate to this country, or Hemisphere for that matter.  As we are in the middle of trying to hammer out legislation for immigrants while we are doing this we should look at the laws that have been on the books since the 1920s and think about updating them.  I would favor them making it against the Federal Law to be an Illegal, however I would not support housing them in Federal Prison for any time and costing us even more than what we are spending now, deportation should be enough for first offense.  I do not feel that those who have assisted Illegals in a humanitariun sense should not be guilty of any crime, however those that profit from bringing them to the country or taking advantage of them when they are here should be punished.  There need to be many things done to update our system and make it have some teeth.  We also must as a nation realize it is not just a Hispanic problem we have illegals from every country in the world and we need to be aware of it and aknowledge it being that way.
103416
What part of Illegal dont you get? Dont make me laugh just think IS THERE ANYWAY FOR THEM TO GET HERE LEGALLY? \nJust think about it pake & jerry. If you were a little bit smart there wouldn't be much your so called illegals  because they'll be here legally. Now let's see if you two have a little bit of brain to know that someone that does not have documents is called undocumented UN as of NO Comprende? Not Illegal no body is illegal in the world and nobody in this world is Alien because we all are Earthlings because we live in Earth. SO WHY IS THIS SHIT GOING ON? Just Plain BS. Close-Minded Sensenbrenner. It seems America is just not a free-country anymore at least for people that are not white.
451315
Wonderful question.  Unfortunately, you won't get any intelligent answers from the pro-illegals.  They don't have any, so they use the "we were all illegal" crap.
185782
"They do the jobs Americans won't do."\n\nPlease stop using that bs. Yes there was a time when americans did those jobs. Some were usually a person's first job in the workplace. Others were done by people who needed a job and didn't care what it was. Americans don't do it anymore because of the immigrant. The employer will take the immigrant over the american.
355925
Technically, the people who came in first were not illegal. Simply because being illegal requieres there to be a law first and those didn't come up until LONG after the United States was invaded by the English.\n\nMy thought is that people shouldn't generate all this hate against the illegal immigrants themselves, as I'm sure that if anyone was on their shoes, they would be doing the same (finding better opportunities for themselves and their families). I think someone should start pointing out at the Mexican government (and all the governments from which the US gets illegal immigrants as they are not only Mexicans - I don't see people hating Asians) because they are doing nothing to improve the conditions in their contry so their people don't have to run away.\nAlso, if all this people was really causing such a big problem in the US as they portray it, do you really think that the US government wouldn't have done something useful LONG ago?
635638
The U.S. has declared several amnesties (the largest one was in 1986, and was a blanket amnesty for anyone who had been living here since 1982) for non-citizens illegally living here.  The first Superman comic was in 1938, so it's safe to say he's been here since before 1982.  \n\nThat means he's a citizen and doesn't need a green card.\n\nBesides, how could we deport him?  Ask nicely?
206313
I agree with you - no illegal immigrant has the "right" to do anything but to be returned to his/her own country. It disgusts me when people compare our ancestors who immigrated here legally with these people who care nothing of our laws, and so have no problem breaking them to enter.  We have immigration policies (they need to be enforced), and people can enter this country through an already established procedure. We should not be made to feel ashamed because we ask others to obey the same laws that every American is asked to obey!
185500
People make that assumption because they are the largest group of incoming illegal immigrants.  They aren't the only people who come to this country and stay without legal citizenship, but Mexicans do come and stay illegally in larger numbers than immigrants from any other single country.
640053
Not all aliens are illegal.  People who follow the rules for entering the country are legal.  They do this by getting visas, becoming citizens, etc.  It is the people who do not have permission to come to this country that are called illegals.  They therefore are not following the law and do not pay taxes, but still benefit from the many things our country has to offer.  Basically you are welcome to come to this country, but you just have to do your paperwork.
392014
I don't know if they are grandfathered into the law.  Immigration laws have changed since 9/11/01.  Usually for an illegal alien to married to a citizen I know they have to be married for at least 5 yrs before that person can get perm. resident status.  There are hefty fines for coming into the USA illegally. I think once they have perm resident status then they can go through the process to become a citizen.  It also depends on the situation on why that person came here in the first place.  Sometimes if their country is not safe and they come here illegally, they still have to pay fines, but they are not as harsh when trying to go through the process.  Maybe you can go to the website and read up on the information for your friend.
221055
Undocumented immigration has never been "illegal" in the United States.  There is, and has never been, any criminal penalty for being in this country without proper documentation.  The only sanction is deportation.  The individual being deported has no criminal record because there is no crime.
605610
It seems that over time people use the term "illegal immigrant" very nonchalantly.\n\nLet's analyze this phrase for a moment, shall we?\n\nOK, the first part- illegal-Prohibited by law.\n\npart 2- immigrant- A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another.\n\nLaw- The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system.\n\nSo it is against the law...hmm... DUH!! They are illegal! AKA not allowed! AKA forbidden! AKA it is not okay!\n\nNow was that so hard?
170843
With the onset of hard economic times in the 1870s, other immigrants and European Americans began to compete for the jobs traditionally reserved for the Chinese. With economic competition came dislike and even racial suspicion and hatred. Such feelings were accompanied by anti-Chinese riots and pressure, especially in California, for the exclusion of Chinese immigrants from the United States. The result of this pressure was the Chinese Exclusion Act, passed by Congress in 1882. This Act virtually ended Chinese immigration for nearly a century. \n\nthese Chinese for the most part were not on planning on staying and they were sending their paychecks home to china \n\n\nand the mexicans send a lot of money back to mexico for the most part i believe most want to stay here permanently even some that have wives and family back in mexico , but i am sure that was in the thoughts of the Chinese in the start to go back home but it eventually boiled into a real problem hey wait kinda sounds familiar ummmmmmmmmmm like now ? should we learn from our past and lets see they like quoting are smart fore fathers bring us your poor ,well eventually they ran into just this problem there is only so many jobs so much room ,so lets  study that one\n\n\n\nto post below sorry honey but you got that wrong you cant eat without us \n\ndont bite the hand that feeds you
497233
It is hard to have an argument for illegal immigration because it is "illegal".  We just need to find better ways to accept the people who want to come into this country so it is LEGAL.  Although it is the 21st century I believe the US's stance on immigration should still coincide with the "Great American Melting Pot".
197944
Yes, mine came legally as well.  Those who compare want to open the borders to all.  "Just let everyone in"  is their philosophy.  But they don't think it through. When does it stop?  Or doesn't it?  Let in a billion people?  That is why every country in the world including Mexico have border and immigration rules.  Those crying for illegal immigrants to just be granted legal status will surely be the same ones crying for higher taxes  for otherrs to pay for their education, medical care, housing, etc.  They'll want the so-called "rich" to support them, the rich being anyone who makes more than they do.\n\nYou know if you ask those who are applying for citizenship now, who took the time and trouble to learn English, who have family in other countries waiting to come to the U.S. in the legal way, who have worked hard since coming to the U.S. and have done their share of what is called the menial jobs, they will tell you that they aren't too happy with others who might get citizenship for breaking the law.   If you talk to others whose relatives have had to return to their native land because their visa or extension was denied, you will hear them saying they are not too pleased either that others are getting in because they broke the  law.  Those who returned home wiill try again but shall we call them "stupid" for doing it the legal way?\n\nNote:  At one time there was a land bridge from Alaska, a footbridge, so from where did the native americans come?  I suggest an answerer up above research that.
449430
No! \nillegal is still - illegal. \nEven if amnesty is granted, many will not accept the fact they were first criminals who broke our laws, and were rewarded.