What is the big issue with this border policy?
354977
The border policy is bull. And honestly, it's in the news and all, but the people I talk to in Southern California.. we don't care! It's just the media hype making it out to be a bigger deal than it is (I hope). To get a little stereotypical, what would we possibly do without Mexicans?? Honestly, who would cook, clean, cut grass, wash the dishes, and do all the other jobs that nobody else wants?? And they are not stealing our jobs, because nobody wants them! And if a Mexican is smart enough to compete with us for jobs (not saying they aren't, many many are!) then that is great! Who are we to decide who gets what? Honestly, the crimes that some of them commit aren't enough to deport an entire group of people. And finally, for the kicker.. WE ALL ENTERED THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY! I hate that argument, but honestly, it is true.
1082922
Yeahhhh!  Let's be just like Mexico! That's something to aspire to.  I assume your point is that we shouldn't let Mexicans come across our borders because they don't let Americans in.  So basically, you're suggesting that we should adopt the social policies of a THIRD WORLD NATION!!
756912
You ask too much of the common Mexican my friend.\nThe age of heroism, of courage and love of country is now dead. It has been replaced by cowardice, despair, political correctness and "me-myself and my 40 relatives" mentality.\n\nYou Yanks have yourselves to blame as well. \nYou had so many years to establish a clear-cut immigration policy and strict border enforcement, yet the attention has only started coming in recently (1980s), by which time the mentality of "no-borders, freedom to come and go and do whatever to any country" has already taken deep roots in Mexico and in other places from which these illegals come from.\n\nIt isnt too late to change this... but the cost of doing it late will not be cheap, and the reformation of Mexico (given the long-entrenched elite and local cowardice I mentioned in other postings) will be both costly and bloody. \n\nIt isnt the laws or the borders or rules that need to change, rather its the people and the attitudes they have. Change that... and your problem will be one step closer to being solved.
288921
unwanted immigration is different than illegal immigration. i assume you are trying to defend the hispanics crossing the border. i have no problem with them crossing the border as long as they pay taxes too. they recieve healthcare, education, and even social security - but pay nothing into the system. THERES A REASON WERE 7 TRILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT (other than the war). we should consider a high sales tax and no income tax - that way everybody is paying, and based on how much they spend too.
470300
Very stupid bill It is a copout. Why not enforce the laws already in place?\n\nMy issue is the fact that our borders are so insecure that this is still happening even after 911.\n\nAnd no we do not owe illegal immigrants anything
992998
I think immigration's out-of-control. I think that a lot of our politicians have some bright ideas about 'one world' etc., and some of those don't quite work out the way they planned, and then there's those gosh-darn unintended consequences etc.\nIf people keep it civil, immigration's no problem, but we're well beyond 'civil' in some cases, and policies need to be improved and amended to slow this stuff down quite a bit....bum's rush doesn't cut it...
1016145
Being from Texas, I've been aware of this issue for at least a decade. What's amazing to me is how some people can't see the difference between legal and illegal. They keep yapping about how racist it is to want to guard the U.S. border. They're obviously clueless as to what this constant invasion will mean to the future of the U.S. \nBut it has opened my eyes to how much our elected politicians do not want to stop the invasion.
506374
ILLEGAL immigration is the issue at hand. Prefixes before words change the meaning of the word. LEGAL immigration is a whole different subject, one I support. \n\nI think the ILLEGAL immigration situation is out of control.
562782
Because of 911, we need to protect ourselves.  You didn't specifiy which border, but I think all borders should be protected by troops. (...all 4)of border police.\nI like the idea someone had of helping our neighboring countries improve their livelihoods so people would prefer to  only visit us.
584358
It's an item now because it is getting worse. You may not be aware that Mexican Army units make about 100 illegal incursions into the United States every year, sometimes to escort drug runners into the US.  This is a huge problem and to speak out against it would undermine the Administration's irrational and inexplicable infatuation with Vicente Fox's corrupt regime and that crap piece of garbage called NAFTA.  The Mexicans are a huge problem that is getting bigger and at one point or another are going to have to be confronted point blank whether the Administration wants to or not.  the very sovereignty of the United States is at risk, and the Federal government by refusing to properly address the issue is defaulting on its obligation to defend the country.\n\nYou will be hearing more and more about this and I would  not be overly surprised if at some point in the near future open warfare breaks out between the US and Mexico.\n\nITEM:\nMexican Army Invades U.S. \nPhil Brennan, NewsMax.com\nWednesday, March 12, 2003 \nIt’s the war nobody wants to talk about: well-armed Mexican soldiers storming across America’s southern border, sometimes with guns blazing.\n“We are in state of war,” Edward Nelson, chairman of U.S. Border Control, told Soldier of Fortune magazine. “And we are fighting enemies who have brought the battle to our shores. If ever there was a time for the United States to put troops on the border, it is now.”\n\nA blockbuster exposé in the magazine's March issue notes that over the past five years, there have been 120 documented incidents of Mexican military/police incursions, sometimes resulting in the arrest of Mexican army personnel on U.S. soil by Border Patrol agents.
521499
I've been dealing with the issues for over 10 years. Why is it now coming up with the rest of you because it is at a critical mass and it has become a major problem. Economically, Socially and Culturally. It is effecting the quality of life in this country and threatening our future as a sovereign nation. Simple as that.
272399
I think it is election year politics. I think they will all talk tough and then when it comes time to vote, this bill will be so watered down and ineffective that it will actually add to the problem rather than solve anything. Illegals need to be removed from this country. Illegals need to be turned away before they can get into this country. Our borders need to be secured for more than this reason. What good does it do taking lighters and nail files from american citizens on flights if there are over 800,000 undocumented, unscreened security risks entering ovewr our southern border each year. We are arranging deck chairs on the titanic.
349151
You have a point.  The recent arguments about immigration have focused on the border with Mexico.  But immigration can come overland from Canada, as well.  Which means whatever security we really need at airports to prevent terrorists, we also realistically need at every part of every border.  Such a thorough system of electronic search and so on is obviously impractical.  Therefore, are we kidding ourselves that the extra manpower, expense and inconvenience at the airports is serving any useful purpose?  As the questioner points out, it probably never did make much difference, anyway; the original 9/11 gang did not come in through an airport.\n\nSo how do we combat terrorism if these measures are about guaranteed to be ineffective?  It has been said repeatedly that the intelligence community (the spies, if you will) knew a great deal about Osama bit Leaden (I don't use his real name on purpose) before 9/11/2001.  They warned their bosses, including the president, who played it his way.  You gotta wonder if he didn't like the idea of an excuse to put restrictive measures on airports and the various other compromises to our freedom we have accepted under the "homeland security" rubric.  (Love the tee shirt with a picture of several old Indian warriors!)  \n\nFolks, our borders are too long, and with modern transportation, too open to everyone and anyone, for us to even try to stem the flow.  Why not say come; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.  If you come in peace, and are willing to work hard to make your way here, come.  If you do not behave well, we will send you home.
840857
I suspect we can't afford the war we are already fighting.  I don't understand what you think he has to protect his people from.  Most of them on the northern border are waiting to wade across the river, and any additional military presence there would sure cut down on the illegal immigration problem.  As poor as Mexico is, I think the reason they don't crack down more on that is because it helps solve a problem for them.  They have fewer poor citizens to support, and those people often cross the border, get jobs and send money back home to family.  It's kind of a win-win for the government.
548674
Only half in jest,you're entitled to your wrong opinion.seriously, Iraq has\nbeen a big problem for a few years,& we are probably taking a butt  whipping.Vietnam,redux.But I strongly disagree that the border/illegals thing is a non issue.Back in 1986, there was an amnesty declared for all the millions of illegals that had snuck over the border. The arguments back then were similar(with the exception of terrorism).Some things are still true-illegals still take some jobs that americans dont want. But they also take jobs that we can & will do. FYI, reps from the govts of honduras, guatemala and mexico expressed displeasure about our border security & said our policies violated the human & working rights of citizens of these countries. READ THAT LAST SENTENCE AGAIN. Mexican border guards kill guatemalan illegals by the truckload, then mexico complains about US??? IS THIS THE UNITED STATES OR Los Estados Unidos De Mexico y America Central???
273627
Ironically, Mexico is having a huge fight at its southern border with illegal immigration.  As a matter of fact, the current Kennedy-McCain bill, S-1033, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, includes a provision to "establish a program to provide needed equipment, technical assistance, and vehicles to manage, regulate, and patrol the international border between Mexico and Guatemala and between Mexico and Belize."\n\nGo to the link below (the Library of Congress site) and do a search on Senate Bill S.1033.  Look at Subtitle C--International Border Enforcement - SEC. 133. IMPROVING THE SECURITY OF MEXICO'S SOUTHERN BORDER.
623941
We have to secure both of our borders and do a better job with human intelligence in both Canada and Mexico. It isn't enough to improve our control of access -- some will invariably get through. We also have to know who is trying and for what purpose. For that, we need more effective human intelligence.