If it was a known fact that the 911 terrorist illegally crossed over our borders,boarded a plane that attacked us would you still think we don't need to enforce our  laws on entering this country. Because it's not just mexicans laborer comming across our borders and on our shores. That is why we need to enforce our immigration laws.There should be no problem if  immigrants can pass a background check and can get a work permit legally, but if there not here legally and are stirring up trouble. dealing drugs, living off free aid. Get them the heck out of here.  And as for our citizans doing the same. Maybe we could put them to work on those farms.Maybe it would encourage a few American to start pulling there weight in this country instead of welfare purse strings.
213414
Illegal immigrants are no different than when someone commits other crimes such as shop lifting, pick pocketing, tax evasion, it's illegal.  I don't mean to sound cold hearted but the law is the law; there has to be equal importance to all laws, that's what this country was founded on.  I know that every one of our families at some point and time were immigrants, but they went threw the process of becoming an American citizen because they liked what the country had to offer.  Most people aren't fighting to keep certain people out, they're just looking for the laws that are in place to be in forced.  Like I state before if I can be put in jail for speeding which is breaking the law than the same should be enforced for illegal anything.
7104
i'm sorry, SHOW3696, but the U.S is not out to help mexicans. Mexicans are only allowed in this country because they are (for the most part) hard working people who are willing to do all the shi tty jobs that no one else will do.  Other than that they get deported back to their country like animals. And the U.S. is talking about closing the border to mexico as well. So, no I dont think we 'help' them at all, at least not as much as they help us. \nI think our gov. should be worried about the REAL terrorists, not the honest hard working people from many countries, not just Mexico, who come here to make better lives. \n\nI know this doesn't answer the question, but still.
147642
why are they protesting at all...its rediculous. if they don't like our laws, but want to work in this country without obbeying those laws, they can just take thier asses right back across the border where they came from. what if we did that in thier country, took thier jobs but didn't pay taxes or get legal citizenship, you think they would let it fly? hell no...
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.
130539
Its not the immigrants that we have a problem with.\nWe have a problem with Illegal immigrants.\nIt is not OK for me to brake the law.\nWhy should it be OK from someone from another country too?
117042
The very essence of America is that is has been created by immigrants.. unless we are Native American, we are all descendents of immigrants..  now is no different.. except for one thing.  Now it seems that so many feel it is their 'right' to just come here without going through the legalities.  They think that it is fine to come illegally.. and after doing so, many EXPECT to have everything handed to them.  The cost in one year to our country because of illegals is approximately $10 BILLION!  Each one of the 10 to 12 million illegals takes IN approximately $2700. MORE than they pay out in any taxes.. if they pay any at all.. because a great many are paid for whatever work they do, in cash. The illegals, because they are not checked and monitored as those who come here legally, bring crime and disease.. it has been shown that illegals have managed to even bring LEPROSY back onto the scene.  The argument has been made that these are 'good, honest, hard working' people.. ok, perhaps they are good and hard working..but HONEST??  No.. the very first thing they do is break the law.  I have no problem at all with those who come to this country to better their lives and that of their families.. but if they cannot do so legally, they SHOULD be treated like the criminals they become.
213420
I agree with you.  I think illegal immigrants will be a strain on our society in the long run.  I don't think it's fair that we have to pay taxes and social security while they don't.  It's also unfair to the legal immigrants who have a right to be in this country.  Basically, the illegal immigrants are getting a better life here in America at OUR expense.
253762
I want our laws enforced and our borders secured. It is not about Mexicans. It is about our joke of a border being wide open for ANY person to cross.\n\nIt is not about fear. It is about anger! We citizens can no longer afford this mass illegal exodous to our country. We have crumbling highways, bridges, water and sewer infrastructure, public schools.\n\nWe have working poor right here in the USA. Why not take care of them?\n\nI know why. Because for generations, the USA has been the diaper changer of all countries who ask us to. This has been going on for ages.\n\nSECURE the borders now.\n\nHi MOM!
147641
pretty sure that pull my tongue at you doesn't make any sense but whatever floats ur boat\ni totally agree\nit's so not fair that they are using our schools for their kids and our hospitals and not paying taxes.  they also get food stamps and such\nnot that i think we should just let them become us citizens that's also unfair because therre are a lot more people around the world who have a lot better reasons to come to the us  and have a really hard time getting a visa\nHowever it's really hard to get rid of the illegal immigrants especially the mexicans seeing as they are right next the us. but them not working...is fine with me...why don't they leave our country while their at it.\nthey are trying to prove a point saying that we really need them...but if they have such an issue with our country why don't they just go back to theirs?\nthey need to realize that them working here for a lower wage actaully can hurt some people who are looking for those jobs.  So good for them...plus them doing this where they just don't go to worok isn't going to make the us want to help them more...its just going to opiss them off\njeez
349471
Look - I have nothing against immigrants.  It's the ILLEGAL part I (and most conservatives) have a problem with.  If we allow anyone to just walk on in, with no background checks, etc. we will have no control on who comes in and what their motives are.  And it has to be at a controlled pace.  If we set no limits on legal immigration,  our society would be overwhelmed with housing, medical, jobs, schooling, demands, etc.  What do you think would happen if one day we just said "anyone in the world who wants to come to America" come on over right now and just walk on in"? \n\nAnd if you are going to come here, LEARN THE LANGUAGE AND SPEAK IT!\notherwise, we will be so divided in different little groups, no one will have anything in common to make them feel like Americans.  My great-grandparents came here from Germany, and they learned the language and assimilated into America. That is the way America works.\nSee - no problem - just do it legally
47703
*Retrieving part of an earlier post of this nature*\n\nKK First I'd like to cut to the chase here, it is a wolf thing you know...\n\nI wanna say I have no prob with immigrants, after all most of the people we concider American's ancestors (and some of mine) were immigrants who came here by legal means. There is no problem there.\n\nThat said, let us define then the real problem...\nIllegal Immigration and what is wrong with that can be summed up in one word...\nILLEGAL!!!\nNothing more is needed to define that, but for those who need a definition between immigrants who apply to the US through proper channels and are here by set rules and permissions and those here by illegal means...\n\nOK, they are here not by following proper applicants and permissions, gaining entry by just crossing over into this country or outstaying visa's and never leaving.\n\nI do have a problem with the huge amount of money being shelled out by us tax payers to pay for welfare, education, medical ect to someone here illegally.\n\nNot only that, it is evident here in states on the borders that businesses are using low wage/under the table pay Illigals as their workers. And we are not just talking picking fruit in fields. All sectors are now affected by it, from construction, to manufacturing, to high tech trade jobs. Often using falsefied documents to obtain those positions.\nIt is wrong that Americans who wish to work cannot find work at a reasonable wage and must resort to accepting near minimum for positions that took years of educational expenses and experience to be able to do or to go on unemployment as they cannot find the work that pays a reasonable wage to meet living expenses or to move to areas not as affected by the situation...\n\nIt is past time our government here in the US starts representing the US people and stop accepting big business money to ignore the problem.
167897
Our borders should be closed, we are at war we can not afford to take care of these people, we are not even taking care of ours. No one has a reason to teach them English, they can learn to speak English before coming over her to take the test. If I go to a foreign country I don't expect them to take the time to teach me their language, not even realistic. They need to go work at bettering their country just like we are trying to do. How many of these "illegal immigrants" are fighting in our war? They need to go home and fix their country, while we try to fix ours, we do not have what it takes to keep everyone up any more. Close our borders till we are on our feet again...and if you think we are on our feet do some checking around, it won't take you long to see what a shape we are in. You ask a very good question.
476565
Your problem is you are focusing on the "immigrant" part rather than the "illegal" part. For a majority of us fighting illegal immigration, all we are saying is "follow the legal procedures for immigrating here and pay into our system as we do to support your benefits you gain while here!" \n\nIf they did that, they'd be LEGAL immigrants and be entitled to at least minimum wage rather than the "I can get away with paying you pennies" wage because they can't get protection from the law.
231038
Most people don't know what goes on at the border with Mexico. Minutemen nor fences are going to deter coyotes from trafficking people. The corruption is overwhelming,it has been a profitable business for Mexican Customs officials and even some of our own that participate in blowing the whistle where to cross. You are right, our government is attacking this problem all backwards, and just spending tax money fruitlessly. If these people can't find work, for sure they will return home. But as long as we give them a piece of the cake, or even some crumbs, they will still be coming in droves.
513689
I'll agree with that....and say the REAL crime is not enforcing on employers that encourage people to move to the US illegally to begin with by not observing US labor laws.\n\nWe need: \nemployer enforcement\nborder enforcement\nfrank and honest dialogue with the public on the issue.\nIf those 3 things happen, we'll see a lot less illegal immigration.
175670
I read your rants and I cannot debate you because I agree.  However, it still is not fixing the problem now is it?  We really need to look at the practicalities of this.... It will take a process of time, but first, any illegal migrant who is in our prisons or jails, should be shipped out immediately!  No regards on this one.  Next, any illegal migrants who are already employed here should be back taxed on prove able income for the duration of their employ and the employer should be HEAVILY fined.  Then, they should be allowed the opportunity to remain and work as taxable aliens until that time they choose to gain legalized status.  They also should be required to learn the English language, since they are in an English speaking country.  There is so much more but that would at least be a start.  Agree?\n\n\nAs for those who call these illegals-immigrants- they are not.....they broke the LAW.  When you defend them because`they came here wanting to better themselves and help their families' you are propitiating that breaking laws is okay if it helps you achieve your golas, or it makes your life better.....think about it!!!  If it will make my neighbors life better to steal my refund check out of my mailbax, is that alright?  If it makes someones life better to come into your place of business and kill you to take your money, is that alright?  We cannot go around and disregard the law because it is inconvenient people!
280229
The US government and it's citizens does not even owe the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS the opportunity to do it right.  The US does not have to ALLOW immigration into this country at all.  I am not an anti-immigrant nut but we must limit how many people we allow into the US and we HAVE to know who is coming into our country.  If someone does not want to be a US citizen then they do not need to be here.  Those people who just want to come here and make money to send home with no allegiance to the USA need to stay in their home country.