I think that the key word here is illegal...\n\nIt'd be great if the U.S. was still the superpower that it was 10 years ago. The cold harsh fact is that we're no longer a warm and loving environment that is able to take in anyone from another country who needs help.  There are too many people and too many problems already in this country that need help BEFORE we take on anything else.\n\nDon't get me wrong. I realize that there are people suffering out there.  Both of my parents are [legal] immigrants.  But how can we help them when the resource that they need is dwindling?
209975
ILLEGAL ALIENS  Of ANY RACE/Nationality Are A Tremendous Burden On The Hardworking , Taxpaying CITIZENS  Of Our Nation \n\nThey MAY/MIGHT Work.. But Many Do Not And Contribute To The Already High Crime In Our CountryAnd IF They Are CriminallyProsecuted, It Is YOU The TAXPAYER That Supports The Heavily Burdened Judicial System And YOU The TAXPAYER That Supports The Criminal In A Prison \n\nILLEGAL ALIENS OF ANY RACE/Nationality Also Contribute To The High Cost Of HEALTH CARE Because They Have No INSURANCE And Its YOU The TAXPAYER That Supports The System That Governs The Health And WELFARE That Many ILLEGAL ALIENS Take Advantage Of Through Their(Possibly)Legal COUSINS Who MAY Or May NOT Be Citizens Of The US   (ILLEGAL ALIENS Forge Documents Too,NoBody Said These People Are STUPID) But They ARE NOT CITIZENS And WE THE PEOPLE Should NOT Be Made To SUPPORT \n(This Is A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION To YOUR EXTREMELY HIGH HEALTH INSURANCE RATES Folks) \n\nILLEGAL ALIENS Of ANY RACE/Nationality Are A Burden To OUR (AMERICAN)Education System By OVERCROWDING Classrooms,And Making It Virtually Impossible For(Underpaid) Teachers To Give The Neccessary Time And Attention To The Individual Students \n\nMillions of LAW ABIDING US CITIZENS understand what is at stake, and wonder what our response should be to sedition, intimidation and acts of defiance against our republic and our ordered liberty. \n\n ILLEGAL ALIENS in America are here only because they are GUILTY of CRIMINAL VIOLATION  of our FEDERAL LAWS, Jumping our borders and living in a shadowy underground economy. They are morally culpable for shoving aside those who adhere to the law and enter these United States in orderly and Legal Fashion. Since when do criminals and cheaters receive pride of place for the blessings of liberty, over those honestly, earnestly and faithfully seeking to become American citizens? \n\nPresident Bush has called for a reasonable and civil debate over the issues of border security and immigration reform. But the American people understand there can be no responsible immigration reform UNTIL OUR BORDERS ARE SECURE. “Guest worker” amnesty programs ARE NOT a part of border security. Amnesty is not the answer. To grant amnesty to these trespassers is to say "You crossed our borders ILLEGALLY, You BROKE OUR LAWS and now we are REWARDING you with U.S. Citizenship -- Congratulations!" \n\nThis is unacceptable. \n\nTo illustrate the absurdity of a "comprehensive" approach to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS , and the more radical of the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT  advocates who are proponents of an "open borders" policy. \nWe don't take a comprehensive, humane approach with drug dealers because they are breaking our laws and causing great damage to this country by poisoning our children. Similarly, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS  violate our laws and Poison our system of Economics by TAKING JOBS  from American Workers, Keeping WAGES ARTIFICIALLY LOW, and Sucking MILLIONS of Dollars of TAXPAYERS MONEY out of our Welfare and Medical Systems. \nNot To Mention The Fact That A Majority Of ILLEGAL ALIENS Live And Work In This Country And Then Send Their Money Back Home To Their Families (Whatever Nation Their Families Live In) Therefore DRAINING The Economy Even Further. \nWhen The US Dollar Leaves The US... Its GONE From The American Economy.
310001
Is that like asking 'if God is all powerful why is there suffering'?\n\nBad as it is, it is worse because of illegal immigrants.  You are right, though.  As the 'most powerful nation in the world' we owe it to our poor to put a MUCH more intense effort into border security and enforcement than either of the current bills contemplates.
675480
I think that there is no problem for ppl who are needing help to get it.. as long as they arent abusing it.. There are mothers out there and Fathers who are working 2 to 3 jobs .. just trying to make ends meet.. and they are paying more into the state each month then they are recieving in help.. So as long as it is in that perpectum.. then thats fine.. what i do not like are alot of ppl and Cultures that sit on there butts doing absolutly nothing.. poppin out babies left and right.. and robbing the state and other ppl who really need the help.... That is so wrong of the State to let ppl abuse that Use of help..
551876
Wow No I would not consider it correct. I know people in this situation they came here from other parts of central America on their own at the risk of losing everything they own and their family.some of their friends lost their lives. All because of a need,whether it be because of poverty,abuse, lack of family or what ever It's the minors that suffer more. If they make it here they should be considered for amnesty.
544047
You're right, they shouldnt be able to do so, but then why arent we closing the borders?  Wouldnt you think that if our government actually wanted to do something about it he would.  I dont think he cares much about the same things we do.  People, regardless of who they are or where they come from will always try to do what's right for themselves and their families, and in understanding that, understand this as well, as long as nothing is being done to prevent such unlawful entries and such abuse of our welfare system, this "invasion" as you all so often like to call it, will not end.  Sure, there is much that can be done, realistic solutions even, but as long as nothing is done at all and people are willing to hire them, illegal immigrants will continue to come.
321582
I think the felony for aiding an immigrant is a non-starter and a negotiating point the House put in.  I think if we can't enforce the laws we have, all we would have with that law is an even more 'illigitimate law'.  (I am sure that is in your text book too.)\n\nHowever, while the principles you are discussing are one theory of political analysis, using any one theory alone is like wearing blinders.  Yours doesn't get you to the point in this case.\n\nThere is frustration with a demand for rights we reserve to legal status individuals, and with the assumption that overburdening schools and services should not be taken into account if the people doing it are 'good people'.  Basic human rights are different, and if we are physically being cruel to people or not allowing them due process or something, that would be different.\n\nThose who repeat that illegal immigrants are here illegally aren't dim wits unable to comprehend basic social theory, and many have progressed beyond Poli Sci 101.  What you see is people saying that the ones demanding legal resident rights aren't entitled to them, and are out of line to demand that kind of rights.   Those rights are conferred precisely because people are here legally.  Illegal immigrants aren't part of the protected class that came here legally at a rate designed for assimilation. \n\nI believe that, myself.  I think the best argument for regularizing current illegal immigrants is that while we have to close the border and limit immigrants, these people are already here.  As a practical matter, if they would meet our standards (not gang members or terrorists, and self supporting), a lot of people think it is best to just say 'ok start today' on tough enforcement.  The problem is that the amnesty in 1986 to do just that was taken by many as something that would happen regularly.  Since 1986, there has not been enforcement at the border and the illegal immigrant population has exploded.  Moreover, people come onto this site and actually say they should get amnesty 'because nothing has been done for Mexicans since 1986', as if amnesty were a regular process.  That would nullify our immigration policies, which have good reason for existing.\n\nI think we need to close the border, really, really close the border.  Then we can turn to the people inside, and decide how to handle that.  It is a lot easier to be empathetic when you are not being told that theoretically we should support the poor of the entire world.
580108
Yes, I love it!  I look on the internet news daily for more stories like the one about the mayor of Hazelton, PA, or Sheriff Joe in Arizona, or big unexpected roundups of illegals in different cities.  It does my heart proud to see the citizens of the USA standing up against this injustice that the government has allowed to occur and get out of hand - illegal immigration.  I believe the power of the American citizens is now snowballing against illegal immigration and whether the Federal Government wants to or not, they are going to have to listen to the people whom they work for, and act accordingly.  The days of the freebies and handouts for illegal immigrants are quickly coming to an end and the smart ones will start planning their own voluntary self-deportations now, rather than wait until they are found and shipped out, possibly leaving family members behind in the USA.  Better they start planning and get themselves organized for an orderly return to their home countries before they get caught by immigration officials or the police or their landlord or their employer.  This way, if they have lived cleanly in the USA so far, without committing further offences since they first illegally came over the border, they have a hope of returning legally one day, if they go home now and apply to immigrate to the USA through the proper procedures.  WAKE UP ILLEGALS!  Do yourselves and your families a favour and return yourselves in an orderly fashion now, while you still can.  Otherwise, don't cry and whine when you get caught and shipped out on a moment's notice, when you aren't ready.  The jig is up!  Amnesty is NOT coming!!  Wake up and smell the coffee!
288316
From the above comment...\n\n"you have a mental problem, your sick in your mind, get a life, your an immigrant too,so stop whining. illegals arent doin anything to you, they actually help you, they werent here, you might as well say goodbye to anything they pick on the field."\n\nHe actually does have the write to voice his opinions, and that my friend, that right there is perfectly fine on a WWW site like this. But, should I tell Yahoo! that you're trying to rid him of his voice? I don't think so!\n\nAnd, I too agree with you on this (I also have a say). Unlike illegals (which are also known as NON-AMERICAN CITIZENS, they don't have a say), as rude and cruel as that seems, it's true. But if someone like an illegal wants to become American, they MUST do it legally, just like my father, and his father had to wait TEN years before they could enter this country in the 50s. Now why is it that someone just underneath the US is allowed to come here illegally? It's not fair.\n\nAnd it's not something that just pisses off citizens of this fair country, it also pisses off legal immigrants, those who waited years, maybe even decades to enter this country. It's NOT FAIR.
299155
You said it! I agree with you completely. There is not enough room in this world for hate- It has caused too many problems already. Illegal immigrants are only trying to improve their lives, their children's lives. I'm not going into a debate on the issue, but the hate and anger need to stop. What happened to America that we act like this?
197039
You don't have ANY rights in my country unless you are a legal immigrant.  If you aren't legal, correct the situation or GET OUT! Quit using up our resources.  We need them to take care of our own people.  We can't take care of the whole blasted world.  If you're here legally, then of course none of this applies to you. And if you're illegal, then you're right---this country wouldn't be the place it is.  It would be much more able to take care of it's own citizens.
646316
You know it's quite interesting that the issue of immigration has gotten the American people all fired up like it's life or death for them, whereas when their own loved ones are sent to a war over questionable arguments, their voice is hardly heard. Yes it's wrong for people to come here illegally, and if they're here for drugs or whatever, then they should be punished. But for us to force out families that have been here for many years and are just trying to live a better life than the one they had is not just unreasonable, but inhumane. It's our duty to control our borders and prevent them from coming; those already here who can prove their worth to our country shouldn't suffer because we failed our own people during the past 20 years. Use your minds and stop spewing hate.
666233
Good question.  I'd like to hear some good reasons why they think it is acceptable too. Personally I don't think there is ANY valid argument that will fly for coming here illegally.  I'll check back.  Thanks for asking.
331019
hmmm.....don't see many of the regulars answering this question/statement do you.\n\nanother aspect of this immigration topic we have yet to pick the scab off.\n\nI love it.\n\nOh but I have to add....they are all going to post quickly with "illegal".....though that had nothing to do with the question.....that is going to be your basic answer.\n\nLMAO\n\ngood post!
100934
Be careful friend. Talk like that in here can get you called a racist. Illegal immigration has ruined the town I've lived in most of my life. We can't even take care of our own in this country, but we are supposed to give everything we have to the illegals? We have no health care for so many here, too many are homeless and/or unemployed. All I can really say is would you feed your last bit of food to a stranger and let your kids go hungry?
311162
I was also thinking about this today and I understand why our government is seeking to fix this problem.  What I don't understand is why they think they have a right to be here when they're here illegally.  It is sad because they are trying to improve their lives and their family's life but there is a legal way to go about it and if you're wrong, you're wrong and shouldn't be upset when the government is trying to take care of it.  \n\nIt might seem harsh especially because I have plenty of friends who are immigrants and 1 who was even illegal for a period of time.  But its not fair to those of us who live here and pay taxes, and its also not fair to those immigrants who waited and came here legally.
142563
There was a bill just passed by the U.S were immigrants can't be in this country and anyone who hires an illegal or helps one will go to jell and fined. Now they are trying to make it a law, but there is a debate going on in the senate, they are debating over different propositions regarding if they should give illegals an amnesty,meaning they will become legal if they have been here for 5 to ten years, another one is the permit to work for six months, where after a period of a few years they will possibly be able to get there legalization,but with this permit they also have to leave after the time given and then get another permit to come back,(it's really unsure)and others I'm not aware of,  It's really ridiculous now that illegals have been here so long and have adapted to the customs of the U.S and furthermore there are millions of undocumented families and persons who have really struggled to get here to work hard and have a better life, people have lost there lives's trying to cross the border, and all they wanted was to come here to work and provide for there family, just like any other American. They just want an opportunity to make an honest living, and not live in there possibly corrupt countries where their own government fails them constantly and gives them no hope for progress.  Well this is my point of view, not to offend anyone or anything, everyone has the right to view this issue as they choose to, this is how I choose to do so and I hope it helps you at least to know one part of the issue.
662236
well, this illegal problem has been brewing for yrs, even since the last amnesty. this has been an issue that politicians hav avoided for at least 10-15 yrs, but since no one wants to focus on IRAQ & GAS prices, the immigration prob will do for now. this problem has been the cause of our gvmt & employers who indeed make it easy for illegals to work & stay here. ppl r just p*ssed off cuz it has been blown up & its easier to hate & assimilate than it is to hav a voice & an open mind. personally, i think that the honest, hard working non-recipients of public assistance should b able 2 stay if they pass a background check, etc.. after all, the blame should b placed on the American gvmt & Americans. people will treat u the way u allow them to treat u- & dam we've let it go on 4 so long we as americans r to blame. but that's me & we're all entitled to our own opinion-or lack there of.