Why is it that some are assuming immigrants are all scum?
340938
I'm Latin, I don't live in the states and hopefully will never have to, even though I have a self owned house there, anyway here in my country we have some ilegal north americans and I'm not ignorant enough to judge them by their inmigration status,but I guess that's because of the different educational and cultural background we have with some egomaniac countries.Some people are really pathetic.
783270
First off... You can't ask a general question like that and exect a serious answer. I judge people on an individual basis. Secondly unless Native American we are ALL immigrants. Most of our relatives came over here well before there were immigration laws and rules, who are we to decide now taht we are here who is welcome and who is not. This country was formed by immigrants. It is the backbone of our nation. As for the guy who is worried about his jobs, language, and women sounds as if he has a serious personal issue. It is his problem if he cannot get keep a job or a woman and cannot accept the diversity that makes this country great!
782602
Easy, just go through Yahoo Answers and you can see the callousness of people discriminating against non-citizens.  Well, actually against anyone who is of different ethnicity or defends those who are.
354900
Wildfl0wer seems to be on this kick that since the US is the land of the free with justice for all that illegals can march into the country and do whatever the hell they feel like. Sadly, this common viewpoint, is however wrong. And very much so. \n\nNo, we are not all immigrants, no we did not all immigrate to the US at one point in time. Most africans were brought here as slaves, while quite a few irish and other caucasian nationalities were brought over as cheap labor or indentured servants. Others are descendents from the multitude of families that were the original founding families of this nation. In all cases that doesn't make them immigrants. This is just an ignorant pro-immigration arguement that is as tired as the day is long...\n\nYes, we would pick fruit and clean houses. Guess what, prior to the surge of illegal immigration and cheap under-the-table labor that the criminals(and you are criminals, you broke the law by coming here) brought to the states American citizens preformed those jobs on a daily basis. Don't believe you're special just because your people now seem to have the perverbial market cornered on that type of labor industry. We did it before, and I guarentee you that there are legal US citizens right now who would be damned happy to have that job.\n\nAnd onto the topic at hand, do these criminals have a right to protest? No, they do not. They have no rights as far as I'm concerned. They've done nothing to earn any rights or privledges other then the cost of a tank of gas to export them back to where they came from. \n\nIf we were to protest in half the countries that illegals come from we would be jailed or worse. \n\nAnd don't fool yourselves, when you're crying out against any sort of law that is pre-established by the governing system you are in fact protesting against that very government because they were the ones to make it. Don't try to cop an excuse that you're not protesting the government, just the law because they are the same thing. Any other belief is a fallacy of logic.\n\nUntil you have a green card that says you're a citizen, you have no rights or freedoms granted by the contstitution. And depending on your line of work, even then they don't apply to you. What gives me the right to even say this? Freedom of speech, because I *AM* a US citizen. And my job gives me the right because every day I go out to defend it against the people of this world who would like nothing more then to see America in ashes. \n\nI, personally, am tired of tax payer dollars wasted on those who don't pay taxes. The money spent to educate these criminals has much better potential of use by making changes and reforms in our existing education system and raising that to a level that's comprable to the rest of the world. Quit wasting money on illegals, put it to good use teaching our legal children.
986719
As you say, I think you are generalising. However, if you have stayed in a country where there was a war all your life, and you have been scared day and night for your and your family's safety, sometimes you can end up being like that.  Besides, for many international and civil war going on in many other parts of the world, Britain is not completely innocent, and very often guilty for making the cause, exporting weapons etc.  And those people do know what's going on, but they still had to come to Britain for their safety.  I don't think that is any easy, and am sure that every time when they here about what's happening in their countries, they must get frustrated.  In addition, there are so many immigrant-haters in this country, who have no idea about why immigrants had to be immigrants, and that's not helping at all. \nBut I'm not going to say they have a right to be violent, if they are, as violence is never right.  There are so many non-violent immigrants from war torn countries, and if you are a violent one, then how can justify your action to them?  I believe with enough support, protection and peace in the mind, everyone can be a peaceful person, and we have to help them to achieve that.
478387
I understand the immigrants side of view, but they have to understand ours too. It's a matter of what is legal and what isn't. There is nothing to question. All countries have immigration laws. Even Americans have to go through immigration if they want to reside, work, invest,etc in another country, so what is so "racists" about applying the law?
364251
----Actually to all those that call you a jerk, they clearly don't know what they are talking about...more ignorant folks than you can shake a stick at.  When one marries an alien, they don't become a citizen automatically and it certainly ain't free.  It is also fraud to marry someone just so they can get a green card.\n\nI'm not really sure what the question is here, but I will try to comment on what you wrote.\n\nFirst of all, not many Americans (including those that work in the immigration system for a living) understand the phenomenon of immigration in the United States very well.  So don't feel badly.\n\nThere is a myth perpetuated in American schools that the United States is special somehow because it is a "country of immigrants."  This is a real fallacy.  Most countries are countries of immigrants...everyone had to come from somewhere.  I'll bet most of the population in the United States has already been there for many generations.  However, this creates the expectation among many Americans that immigration of any kind is perfectly acceptable and even wonderful somehow.\n\nThere are many ways of looking at the phenomenon: political, sociological, administrative, etc.  A lot of Americans don't give it a lot of thought at all, assuming that things will just take care of themselves like they always have.  Some Americans see immigration as a constant source of cheap labor, easily exploitable, whether legal of illegal.  Politicians, understanding that everyone in their precinct eventually will probably be a voter, are not really in a hurry to be anti-immigrant, and will even interfere with Executive Branch processes on the behalf of illegal aliens residing in their districts in hope of getting their votes in the future.  Other folks don't like the idea of people breaking the law to get benefits for which they don't contribute.  And still others have a mix of sentiments.\n\nHere is the scoop.  There are two general types of immigrants: those who enter the United States legally with the permission of the Government; and those who don't.  The latter category include those who defraud or violate status once they are in, in addition to those who walk across the border or are otherwise trafficked across. In my experience, legal immigrants resent illegals because they didn't bother to go to the trouble that they went to.\n\nPeople want to improve their lives.  It is a basic fact that distinguishes man from animals.  You can hardly blame a guy for wanting to do that.  However, crossing the border without the permission of that country is a violation of the sovereignty of that nation.  That is hard to explain to guy living on beans and tortillas, and it is a rather thin distinction when his family is starving.  One illegal hardly hurts anyone, right?  \n\nHowever, a flood of aliens puts a strain on a country's financial resources.  Also, turning a blind eye to illegal entry also helps criminals make a profit from facilitation.  People in the destination country are not always nice and will often exploit an illegal worker.   Therefore, a country puts up controls to try and responsibly manage immigration. \n\nThis allows people from all countries, including many refugees, to seek a better life in the United States in a manner which protects them from exploitation and gives them the means to start productive lives, paying back into the tax base which supports schools, public services, etc.  there are many ways this happens through the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security (formerly INS).  Through the use of immigrant visas, the Department of State seeks to reunify families which have already immigrated to the US, allow new immigrants to immigrate, and permit talented professionals to enter to pursue their professions.  The Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also issue refugee documents allowing thousands of
328823
This is my stand....If you label a whole group of ppl as something ,that is racist.Everyone knows that the first group of ppl you associate with illegal immigrants is Mexicans.So if you say that this whole group of ppl are dirty and carry diseases and abuse the system.Thats racist.No offense but it is the same as saying that all black ppl like chicken or that white ppl don't have rythm.I know that I have also made assumptions that all white ppl are racist,and I will admit that that was wrong.But I truely feel that this IS a racial issue and that if all the ppl that came here illegally were white there wouldn't be a problem.
182522
Canadians always treat immigrants with a "laissez faire" attitude because there are so many immigrants/different ethnic backgrounds in Canada, that they don't even really notice. Canadians are all immigrants themselves anyways. I'm Canadian, but a third generation Canadian, and most of my friends and my spouse are second generations, and one is a first generation. Occasionally you will meet a stupid canadian loser who was brought up the wrong way and who is rascist against immigrants but that is the same in any place you go. There will always be rascists. MOST canadians are very open and don't really notice any difference or don't care where people come from.
1140273
Urban Legend.  I am an immigrant and I started my own business, and I NEVER heard of that.  It's just hate speech to make you hate immigrants for being hard-working and successful.  Before I was naturalized, I had to pay even more taxes than now, and I had to pay social security even though I was not entitled to collect it.
689638
My perception of Russian or Slavic immigrants is the same as any other immigrants. It is not where they come from, but who they are as individuals. it is not the group, culture, or religious affiliation that counts, or is good or bad. The sooner we start judging people on their individual merits, the better off the world will be.
334800
There are probably facts for the other side, for immigrants, but I can't tell you about those because I am against them. As you know, there are always at least two sides to an issue. Good job for listening to both sides. A lot of people just hard-headedly choose one without hearing the other out. I picked my side on beliefs and try to be somewhat polite when in debates, but it can be hard :)
487555
I AGREE WITH YOU!!!!!Let's face it, American citizens are intimidated, they claim that immigrants are taking jobs. Why is that? oh I know why because the immigrant can do a better job and are still payed a low wage!!!I agree they are kicking our asses GOOD!! and I support them 100%, you gotta give them props!!, and I don't know why people b*tch that they are breaking the law. I bet more than half the people that complain about immigrants have broken the law once or twice themselves. Sh*t even me I was charged for battery that's a violent crime and I'm a citizen, and the immigrant only came here with out no papers. So people stop your b*tching their are worse crime someone can commit for example the war started in Iraq.
629334
I don't think the immigrants are taking anything from us. They come and work for what they have just like you and me. Just like you and me, they do jobs not many others will do. They stand uder the hot sun for hours picking tomatoes for us, and working in hard jobs for low wages, practically below minimum wages just like you and me. of course there are some who have fake i.d., but don't deny some americans here lie about their jobs, and not having cars, and everything else just to get medicaid, or social security for disability, or those who don't have to pay taxes. It's all over america, done by americans. Therefore immigrants or no immigrants, someone will alway be "tacking from us".
1049485
I think it is a matter of perception and general upbringing; reading the answers given here, it seems everything is in the eyes of the beholder...it goes from the moderate mainstream view to radical hysteria based on their true life experience.  I think it's funny how in the southwest, the local yahoos (don't mean the users here) sound like the most unsophisticated members of society, and they are the critics of "Pepito, learn English." These are the role models for the cyber kids and some adults who answer here, especially in this category.  What else can be expected except that they parrot the views of their authority figures.  It's a mentality being handed down for generations.  It would be like saying all white anglo saxon Americans are born with higher intelligence.  And now it's being ruined by the illegal immigration.  \n\nI don't discount the obvious crime by the hardcore Mara Salva Trucha gangs from El Salvador and the gangs of LA; but, they are the exception, not the rule.  The White Racist Supremist hate groups are the exception, not the rule.  I also do not discount that people  having come here illegally are breaking the law.  I place that blame on our White House Administration.  They care two sh*ts less and are the enablers of this crisis.  If real estate has always been the thermometer of our economy, just think,  the illegals are cheap labor.  Their contribution helps to boost our economy so we can have a flourishing economy.   It's quite the paradox of our government officials.\n\nHaving grown up in Texas, my experience is similar to yours.  The cyber immigration group pulls out the social services and tax card;  while it is a reality that our system is on overload, I think they are saying two things:  don't take it away from me, I live in the land of opportunity, but I don't want to do anything for myself; I am lazy, and my American passport entitles me to benefit from social services,  I want some and you are taking it away from me; or they like the way it sounds, since most of the kids answering probably don't have a job and are not really paying taxes.  \n\nI have a builder brother in Central Texas building million dollar homes who would never tell you it's a bad place to live because of illegals.  He likes their work ethic, and he obviously hires white Americans as well.  \n\nThe bottom line is prejudice is as prejudice does.  I see a lot of businesses owned by these so called immigrants; they come here and add to the tax base and contribute to employment;  so, I ask any gringo who opposes to that:  what's your story?  Quit your whining, leave the Mexican restaurant  and do something for yourself!\n\nAnd that's my pulpit for the day!
578160
i live in the uk, and i believe we have to remember that 'immigrants' may have 'small regard' for life in our countries. merely because our governments have make it so easy for them to come into countries, and want to pass on jobs we can no longer be bothered to do and deem as below us, to those who are very willing to work.\nthere is always going to be a stigma and perception to all cultures. there is always going to be good and bad in all cultures. someone will definetly find something to say.\nmexicanc,blackes, whatever really....\njust live your life and chill out a bit. :)
578208
Your attitude makes me sick! It's a wonder anyone outside the U.S. would want to come here- legally or illegally, when they have to deal with people with so much hatred in their hearts toward foreigners. You think it's all "a game" to them? You think it's "easy" for them to make a life here? You're very wrong. You haven't walked a mile in any one of their shoes, have you? So what makes you the expert on what they think and feel? You are stereotyping an entire culture (or two!) and that's really unfair. You know what I think? We would live in a better world if we had "no borders" dividing any of us! But, if we absolutely HAD TO, we should take haters like you and put them on an island , and far from any other land! Then maybe the rest of us could live in peace.