Seriously, no ones's forcing them to do farm labor, they are not being physically beaten like slaves, they choose to work low wages, they do not encounter mass discrimination to the tune of seperate water fountains, back of the bus, etc. On top of that, they get free emergency room health care and social programs like WIC and food stamps. Mexico itself has a law called the General Law on Population that makes HR 4437 look like a slap on the wrist. It's selfish and unfair for them to ask -- no, DEMAND -- for immediate citizenship. I have no problem with legalization through a guest worker program, but if they want to become citizens then they need to learn English, study a little bit about U.S. history and take all the other steps that LEGAL immigrants do (as well as pay back taxes). I really don't see what the hell they're portesting. I'd love to see them protest this way in Mexico or communist Venezuela and Cuba. Maybe they could actually create change in their home country if they di
199967
There protesting but yet Americans taxes go to give these "illegals" free health care. These "illegals" are just trying to change America to there liking.\n\nhttp://www.illegalimmigrantprotest.com/
97153
I think most of the kids don't have a clue what they are rioting about, I mean protesting...\n\nThe protest is about ILLEGAL people coming over here ILLEGALLY and demanding free services from the Legal people here in the USA.\n\nIf you don't get the point, they are here ILLEGALLY.  They broke the LAW to get here and reside here ILLEGALLY.\nThey have NO business here.\nThe reason they are having to debate this in the first place is the fact that if we don't, our entire Social Security Program to support the elderly will fail because they are getting from it.  Our medical system will fail because they are getting free services.  \n\nThe kids that I have been told about and have witnessed here in TX have come to complete anarchy!  They are not protecting, they are RIOTING!\n\nI for one am glad they are.  It shows that they have no wants and desire for law and that the illegal people should be taken back to the border and sent home.  Then they can apply for citizanship or a green card like every other Legal immigrant does...\n\nThis kind of thing Pisses off the Legal immigrants to no end.  They worked hard and paid a lot to get here.. why should Illegals come over and get a free pass?\n\nI suggest they go back to Mexico and protect to President Foxx about how the mexican government should be taking better care of it's citizans.....
598344
None of them come for fun.   How fun is it to work in construction in the dead of summer, sweating your ass off for 10 hours a day? Sound fun to you? Or how about seeding someones lawn and cutting grass, and planting flowers out in the damn sun for 50 hours a week?  Wow that sounds like great fun to me!!!   Western Union is on fire, and has been since immigrants starting immigrating here years ago, know why? because that pay check the mexicans got on Monday tues wed thurs or friday is being wired to a bank in Mexico for their wifes, sisters, daughters, sons or grand children to pick it up.  Ever walked into a grocery store and saw Mexicans lined up at the customer service desk, they're sending their paychecks to mexico.  That's what they come here for.  Lets deport all mexicans shall we??  I guess you might as well not go out to dinner anywhere, forget Chili's, or Olive Garden or your favorite barbeque place, because if we deport them all, are you gonna go back there and make your dinner yourself? They make up all our restraunts, and those roads youre driving on to take you to work everyday, are being paved by  hard working mexicans because no fat lazy ass american wants to slave out in the hot sun for hours on end.    Granted, there's your stereotype mexican, who stares at women, and says things in spanish that you don't understand, but not every mexican is like that.  They honestly come here to make a living and LEAVE.  They dont' want to stay here.  This is foreign to them.   it takes time to save up money, and most of them work 40+hours a week.   Know why restraunts keep hiring mexicans even tho they are threatened every week by the immigration office, because they come to work, and on time, and work their butts off... Did you know that only 20% of americans come to work on time everyday of the week?  Yeah, 20% out of how many millions? I'm not a mexican advocate, I'm just saying, I've been witnessed to what is going on in america and how mexicans are treated, and americans are so SCARED they're gonna come and take their jobs.  Give me a break, have you seen an illegal alien becoming a lawyer, or a doctor... please...  they take the jobs we DONT WANT..so whats the big deal?  Let them come and make some money for their families.  More americans are on welfare than anywhere else, because they don't want to work.  So you hate Mexicans for wanting to make a better life?   \n\nDo you know what it costs to become a LEGAL resident of the United States? Thousands of dollars. I'm not talking about getting a green card and working a job part time and then coming back to Mexico, I'm saying... actually applying at the immigration department, and waiting..not to mention it takes up to 10 years to even get an answer. You all need to read up on your facts. Would you want to wait 10 years to get citizenship, would your kids wait 10 years to eat, because you couldn't get decent money in the country you're living in? They come here for the money. Not to take over our jobs, homes, and land. Get a clue.\n\nFrankly, I could care less. If we become a minority, so be it. Mexicans work harder, and longer than any white folk. I'm white, and I'll tell you what, I wouldn't do half the jobs that mexicans do, for 3 bucks an hour. If you want something done, and DONE right, and not half-assed, then hire a mexican. They are always on time, they always put in more than required, and they always do a great job. Of course there's very few of them, that don't do a good job.. which is like a good portion of americans ( unemployment line is proof enough ). The way I look at it is.. If we can send troops over to IRAQ to make their government more civilized and feed other countries, etc... and all the lovely things we do for 3rd world countries, then by god we should go over to Mexico, and assist them with getting the mexican residents in mexico higher paying jobs. Their jobs over t
282013
I have to say that the Senate's proposal is not too bad. It says that immigrants must pay a $2000.00 fine, work ultimately 12 years here, learn English, and then they can have a chance to take the citizenship test if they choose. I personally dont think it is necessary for them to HAVE to learn English, it would benefit them, sure, but it should be up to each individual. Then they will have to find a way to close off the border. I hate to say that, since it means closing ourselves off, but if something were to happen that opened our borders, I forsee that many people would think it is temporary and rush the border to live here. While we will never completely overload from people, it is better to close off the border to gain some control. They should then make it easier to get a visa. Especially a visa that would let people go back and forth easily. Most illegal immigrants from Mexico dont want to forget Mexico, they want to go back and forth. I think that our government should respect that.
99562
We absolutely need reform.  I realize that several minorities are upset by this, but we pay taxes and health care to these people that aren't even citizens.  It's costing us millions of dollars a day.  If they want to live and work in the US, they should pay taxes and be legalized, they deserve no special benefits that naturalized Americans do not.
232420
"Who, else is gonna help bring the crops in at 4.00 an hour and not complain? "  Since minimum wage is $5.15/hour, the farmers are breaking the law.\n\nIllegals draw welfare by stealing people's social security numbers and identities. That means there are a lot of people being directly hurt by these people as well. Innocent people are having their credit ratings ruined, having IRS problems, and social security problems. If someone who has had their social security number stolen gets married, if either spouse dies or become disabled then they can be denied their benefits. \n\nMy family moved to the US before WWII. Those of my family that didn't make it over got killed by the death camps. Our family assimilated to the American culture. We didn't expect the Americans to change to suit us. The illegal immigrants from Mexico are not civilized like that.\n\nThey not only changed the National Anthem to Spanish, they changed the words. They already burn our flag and hang our flag upside down. They waved the Mexican flag during a lot of their protests. Some schools have stopped hanging the American flag and forbidden students from wearing clothes with any part of the American flag on their clothing all to keep from offending the Mexicans. It's nothing short of an attack of our country, not only by the illegal aliens, but those who seek to appease them. \n\nI am tired of the stereotype that Americans wouldn't do the work that illegals do. Illegals do all kinds of jobs for less than minimum wage which drives the wages down for U.S. citizens. Construction jobs are an example. There are lots of illegals doing construction jobs that Americans used to do because the companies can keep more of the profits if they pay less for the workers. All that does is make companies wealthier and Americans poorer. Illegals are stealing jobs that Americans have done for years. \n\nIf you go to a country and refuse to assimilate, continuing to speak your own language then you are really not an immigrant -- you're a colonist ... and that's what the Mexicans are doing, they're colonizing the American Southwest as part of their "reconquista" Read about mecha in the link I provided and you'll see what the Mexicans real agenda is.\n\nhttp://www.americanpatrol.com/MECHA/MEChAindex.html
157469
I agree they will say and do anything to get what they want. it wouldn't be a problem if they allowed a small amount of immigrants a year, But 11 million that demand rights when they are not even legal.\n\nAvari you can't blame Mexico problems on someone else. just because a country have more than anothers does mean others are entiled to it. It would be difference if they ask to come here. If you go and still something that don't belong to you then your a robber, in this case land. Just because someone is poor doesn't mean Bill Gates should give money to them. because it his money and if he don't offer it then you can't have it. The US is not the place to start sending people because they are poor.
267253
You're right. All of us are from immigrants, but most of them came here legally and learned what AMERICA was about. They didn't come here and try to change America into the country the just fled from. They learned to speak and write English and earned money honestly. They had personal integrity and tried to raise their children to respect this new land that was giving them the chance at a new life. What people are against now is the illegal immigrants that don't pay taxes and don't pay for health care. They have free access to our schools, which suffer due to budget cuts because of the burden of being overloaded by illegal who refuse to learn our language and laws. Our health care has skyrocketed out of control partly because every hard working American is paying for the women that sneak across the border just days before they give birth in our hospitals and give fake addresses and phone numbers so that the hospital are never able to recover the costs of the care given. I don't think anyone would begrudge a foreigner entrance into this country as long as it were done legally and they didn't expect the entire country to change it's ways. As a country, we were founded on specific principles, values and laws and anyone coming here should be expected to learn and live by these principles, values and laws. Our country speaks English and this is our National language. Our consumer labels should be in English, Our Pledge should be spoken in English, and peole wishing to immigrate should learn to speak English. We should expect no less of our visitors and immigrants than other countries expect of Americans that travel.
658790
Wow, you people amaze me on here. I don't mean just one person in particular I mean everyone! Before you begin to pick sides, please understand the other side of the argument. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but there are some things people just need to realize man. First off, illegal aliens, yes they should be sent back because they are illegal. But people though, if their country is so much better off with our "outsourcing economy" why is it they still want to come into our country? Another thing is because they are doing the jobs that are paying low wages and yea, they are doing it illegally; but let me ask you something, what about all the americans who are here working as drug dealers, bank robbers, and criminals trying to get their money? Aren't they as illegal as the illegal aliens trying to make a living? Oh an please don't get on me with that immigrations get more welfare: to be honest with you the "caucasian populations" get more welfare and is more dependent on the state. So therefore I've contradicted myself in both ways, which explains what I'm trying to say please think before you judge, and learn before you speak. That's all....... thank you..
310575
The whole program is BS.  First it's not really about legalizing anyone, it's about getting more bodies here. One would think this would be so devisive, but the reality is the big business republicans that contribute to their "boys on the hill" want this cheap labor so they don't have to fuss with taxes, benefits and such.  Then the Dems hate it because the little people (American lower and middle classes) are paying for their schools, medical expense, food stamps, etc.. I mean, get real people, do youTHINK Republicans would back a bill this horrendous, if it didn't profit them? Why is Bush being such a centralist all the sudden? His peeps that he just signed a $70 Billion tax cut to aren't going to feel it.  70 Billion in upper class and business taxes cut today.  It's not about legal or illegal, believe me, the people that employ the illegals do NOT want them to become legal citizens, subject to minimum wage, benefits, workers comp, etc
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.
233050
Well, they can't sat SH*T to me. I'm American...of Mexican blood...and I think all illegals need to stop complaining, go home, and not come back here until they're legal. They hurt regular Americans by taking jobs that would otherwise offer decent wages to those with less education or those who just prefer to work with their hands instead of sitting behind a desk.
138157
heres the thing it seems every time you put a olive branch out there for them they want the whole tree ,does  anyone  else see this? you say  ok we will make the ones here legal and they say no, then couisn carlos cant come ,ok then you say ok you go home and then we will give work visas and they say no we want to be american what the freakin flip you cant make them happy they want mexico and america  read this\n\nShould the American people support an invasion? Why is "Homeland Security" doing very little about the problem, telling border agents to run the other way from illegals? Does this make sense that we should give tens of millions of illegal aliens aid and comfort at taxpayer expense while we are suffering an increased crime rate, high unemploment rates. all for a people that hate and despise us simply for wanting our laws enforced?\nand for wanting our borders enforced ?\n\nWHO will pay for these millions of illegals on welfare when there are NO REAL DECENT JOBS left for anyone here to support a family? If the Mexicans kill off the current working class, then WHO will support THEM? Let's not forget the auto parts plant moved from Detroit to Mexico just a few years ago, that was then moved back to Detroit about a year later. Why? Because after 12 noon they did almost no work. Several auto production lines were in danger of shutdown because sub-assembly parts were late. Is this the future of America? \n\nwhen they are legal they will want higher pay .they will want more goverment aid,more schools will have to be built as more will be able to come and go freely .in short they will have two countries! and we will be overpopulated and there will not be enough jobs  they need to protest their own country make demands to mexico you know that ole saying some men you just cant help, well this is what that feels like. if we give them jobs in mexico it corrupt and will do no good they need to improve their own land instead of looking to us for everything its time they grow up as a nation  and fend for themselves we cant bare the brunt of a whole country being here saying take care of us !
522629
You must be young. They do not pay taxes, they use our hospital emergency rooms as primary care at taxpayers expense, they get many social services that we would not get so easily and their children flood our classrooms with no knowledge of English, so they are in special ed. classes at our expense also. They live, many of them, in houses {most likely not owned by them} with little amenities, some of them 20 or more to a house, depleting the value of the homes of their neighbors. I don't have a problem with immigrants that come here legally, and contribute back to the economy. But they don't do that. They are here illegally, and are still afforded the privileges of Americans. No matter how you look at it, the word ILLEGAL, no matter what word it precedes, means ILLEGAL.
103877
I am glad to have foreigners in my country because they are cheap labor. How many white men do you know that would work for less than 5 dollars an hour in a field under the scourching sun while crop planes drop insecticides on them while they are picking the fruits and vegetables that we eat that we pay hardly anything for. If there were no immigrants our produce and so many other things that we use and eat daily and take for granted would not be accesible because the costs would be to high. So whoever said that immigrants come and take the white mans jobs, you are full of it. They take the jobs that nobody wants, such as housekeepers, field workers, janitors, and so on, I hope that you get the point. For those that live in the U.S. remember 90% of us are descended from immigrants. Mexico is part of America, they are just South America. they did not have to take a boat to get to the America's, they were already here. If you actually look at the statistics most people that are on welfare are white women, not mexicans. I have met plenty of hispanic immigrants that are in the process of learning  English, believe me people it does not take over night to learn a language. Americans are very ignorant and stupid when it comes to things like this. How many of you actually learned a new language before visiting another country? Some of these immigrants really are here on a short term basis, they are here to make money to take back to their families. Just like any American that works or tries a new investment, all you are trying to do is support your family. Be respectful of other people, remember One Nation Under God, it is not very christian to be so ignorant.......
571344
Because they ARE ungrateful!! You are right,WE all worked and made this country what it is today!!! Our  great grandparents,etc,etc, came here LEGALLY!!! There were NO laws back then,so NONE could have been broken!\n\nILLEGALS are just like every OTHER deadbeat,they think we OWE them a living!!! Who do they think is PAYING for them to have their "anchor babies"??? THEY are sure NOT doing it,so the COST gets passed on to the taxpayers!!! Is it any WONDER,that the American people are SICK of MOOCHERS??!! Illegals are costing EVERY  taxpaying American citizen for their social services,and GOD FORBID,if the Senates amnesty plan was to pass,it would cost taxpayers BILLIONS more!!!!!!!!!!!\n\n It's not even a question of "race",because it does NOT matter if they were from a different country ,we would STILL feel the same way!!! It's a matter of SURVIVAL for every American citizen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
184287
I agree with some, but not all of your thoughts...\n\n1) when they come here and work, they are paying taxes - it gets taken out of their paychecks. So does Social Security. \n2) when they go to the store here, they pay taxes, just like you and I. Same thing at the gas pumps, liquor stores, mall, etc. Its not like they come here, work and take the money to Mexico to go grocery shopping. So, they are contributing to the economy - more so than rich folks in America that hide all their money so they DONT have to pay taxes. \n3) they are humans...they have HUMAN RIGHTS. \n\nLast study I read said that Illegals contriubute $90 BILLION dollars to Social Security a year, and only receive $5 BILLION in outside aide. That leaves $85 BILLION to the rest of us. Im also willing to bet that there are more African Americans in our prison system than illegal immigrants - so they are obviously following our laws, despite having "jumped a border." At least they arent killing each other over gang territory or robbing their own people or getting over on charities like wwhats been going on with all the Katrina aide...\n\nNow that I think about it, I dont agree at all with you!