How can you justify amnesty for illegals when there are people who have waited for years to become citizens.?
341079
If you're asking me, a legal immigrant who is still waiting to become a citizen, I'll be glad to answer: because those of us who have come here legally have been able to do so because of our privilege and good fortune.  I have gone through the process, and I know how utterly ridiculous it is to suggest that low-wage workers like illegal immigrants could wait in line for their turn and come here legally.  That is preposterous.  I was very fortunate to get an exemplary education (in a country that boasts an illiteracy rate of close to 50%), and to have come to the US to pursue advance graduate work in a highly abstract discipline.  This is the only way I can think of that I would have been able to come to the US as an immigrant, short of marrying an American citizen visiting my home country.  The fact is that American legal immigration policy is nowadays much more exclusive than it used to be when Ellis island was still functioning, or when your ancestors first came here, most likely without much money, without a graduate education, etc.  And because American immigration policy is far tougher now, it is no surprise that these people took the option of coming here illegally.  I know people like them back in my home country, and I cannot blame them.\n\nIf you ask me to support better control of the American southern border, I'll be the first to second your suggestion.  But if you want me to rail and rant against people who don't know any better and who have been dealt much worse cards in life than I have, then you're asking the impossible.  I am fortunate to be here, and in spite of how aggravating the immigration process has been, I stand in solidarity with those who are less fortunate than myself.\n\nHow can I justify amnesty for illegals?  This way: it is the humane thing to do, especially in the case of illegal immigrants that have taken roots in this country, who have not gotten in trouble with the laws of the land (except immigration law), who have family and friends here, and who have nowhere to go back to.
1104823
There needs to be a clear line between people who've overstayed their visas, but have been paying taxes for years and have no criminal record. They should get citizenship. The rest should be treated according to their cases. Every story is different!
371929
Its unfortunate, in relation to mexicans, that they have to leave their country because they are full of corrupt leaders who dont care at all about the people. Mexico is a beautiful country full of rich resources that unfortunately are not used properly. So the people have to do what they can in order to support a family even if its something illegal. That being said I dont believe they should get citizenship just because they demand it. There are other people in line who did things the right way who should become citizens first. I think they should try their best to learn english (many have), pay taxes (which many do), and do their best to become legal. Many of them dont like being here illegaly and want to become legal. Again in MExico its hard and more so for the poor people to get visas and passports. So they have few options.
1015352
Some actually have done that with the guarantee they will get citizenship IF THEY LIVE. I disagree with this and think it exploits their situation. It is completely immoral and unethical.
906795
They come here, illegally, then it is very easy for them to just break law after law. They will do what ever they can to stay here. They justify this by saying that living here is their human right, or that our laws are out dated, even calling our laws silly, and well its just a very small laws. They try to sell themselves as, just poor wanting a better life. Oh yes they do get a few to feel sorry for them, but we must never stop telling Washington, that we want our immigration laws enforced, we want those that hire them fined, we want anyone renting to illegal immigrants fined, and we want all those in this country illegally deported. If not we will find someone in Nov. of 2008 who will do the job.
1085748
The answer is simple.  If you stop them from getting welfare and free medical care then make it where employers have to check there status before they hire them they will not be able to work or get a free ride.  After that is complete let them have the option to serve in the military over seas for a minimum of 2 years and learn English to become a citizen.
1072630
You're right,most all the illegals could be deported,over time!! Amnesty should NEVER be given to people who FLAUNT our laws by breaking them!!!  amnesty NEVER works,all it does is ENCOURAGE even MORE lawbreakers to come here!This is not even fair to those who have waited for years to come here legally!! I think,that IF there is a "guest worker" program actually NEEDED,that it SHOULD NOT automatically lead to citizenship!! The United States of America does NOT need any more citizens! And, we can not AFFORD any more poverty level,uneducated,welfare people!
366588
It's a bad idea all the way around.  People spend money and time trying to enter legally.  Amnesty to illegals is a slap in their faces.
925296
It should be on a case by case basis.  As long as they have not commited any violent crimes since they have been here, I think they should be granted amnesty.
617304
I agree.  There's no excuse to commit a crime.  If those illegals don't like the way their life in Mexico is, then do something about it and protest to their own govt, not jump the border and protest to ours. The only reason why America is what it is today, that's because of the great heroes back then who fought the war and the great individuals that struggle to make this place a better place to live--through deaths, sweats, extra hard work, and education.\n\nThe illegals can't just take what we already established demand they should equally get the same thing.  If Laws and Procedures weren't established, then this place would be chaotic and corrupted.  \n\nBTW,\n\nPlease protect our borders!\n\nhttp://www.sosborders.com/cgi-bin/sosborders.pl\n\nhttp://www.numbersusa.com
719144
It's too costly and time consuming to deport ALL the illegals.\n\nI would like to see a CONDITIONAL amnesty given to all the illegals here now. (Assuming we are stopping more from coming in). The conditions ...\n\nThey must learn basic English.\nThey must learn some American history and culture.\nThey must be financially dependent, i.e., either employed or have a financial sponsor.\nThey must swear their allegiance to America and be signed up for the draft. (Within the draft eligibility guidelines)\n\nThey must do this within a time frame, such as 1 year. If they don't, or at least show effort after the time frame, they will be deported. \n\nI have many loose ideas running around in my head ... how about this?  The Illegals allowed amnesty through the above conditions, will have a felony conviction on their records. They will not ever be allowed to vote or own a gun.  I'd love feedback on this thought ... good or bad!
1008952
the refusal to assimilate; why should we bend over backwards to accommodate foreigners? no other country does that---and the whole illegal entry factor; it's not hard to get into this country, all we ask is that you pay your money and go through the established procedures; sure that could take a while but SO WHAT! lots of people have done that for a long time and effectively earned the right to live and work here. unfortunately i have had experiences like this and it really toasts my waffle! why should citizens of this great nation have to be subjected to such frustration! i don't remember reading that amendment in the Constitution...
673808
Neither them, or their children should become citizens. They broke the law to get here - why reward them? It just encourages more to come here.
246997
If you come from Mexico you may have to wait your whole life after you apply.  If you have money to bribe mexiacan officials, you can make the process go faster, but there are quotas and tens of millions who want to come.  So people think, shoud I go across and risk arrest, or let my kids live in awful poverty for the next 10-20 years?  Obviously the choice is not too hard.
230779
I am a US citizen because I was born In PR but I know a family who are here illegally and I think is a very bad thing. This people come and work for nothing, never learn English, do not follow laws because some times they don't even know the rules! One of them came with a visa but it expired!! and she didn't care about it. They do not deserve the citizenship when many people make so many sacrifices to get it. If they really want to progress why do they start on the wrong way!
332054
I'm a future Latino citizen.  I'd be happy to have a good and generous guest-worker program in place for low-wage workers, tight control of the border, and amnesty for illegal immigrants who have taken roots in the US.  I would hate to see sixty year old people who have nothing left in their own countries deported to satisfy the lust for revenge of some.  I am pretty sure that many of the people who rant and rave against illegals have ancestors who came to the US when the US had much laxer immigration policies, policies that allowed the uneducated, the illiterate, the poor, the hard-working, to come to the US and pursue the American dream.
991380
NO NO NO!!\n\n  I am a Native American, so don't preach to me that my ancestors were illegal immigrants. Illegal is illegal, no matter who they are, or where they came from.\n\n Why punish those who have applied for and are waiting for LEGAL citizenship? They are being pushed to the end of the line because they did it legally. I do not believe in rewarding illegals in any way. If they had kids born here, that's too bad. They should go back to their own country anyway, and apply for legal citizenship, so those who have waited for years, aren't punished.\n\nIt is a gross miscarriage of justice to reward these law breakers. Send them to the end of the line and reward those who have done it correctly. The labor force will NOT suffer, because the LEGAL immigrants will fill the gaps left by the illegals.