Pros and Cons of granting amnesty to illegal immigrants?
464653
Pros, The illegal immigrants will be treated better and be able to drive legally with insurance. Hopefully less use of false documentation and identity fraud. For them they are rewarded for their struggles to come here, which is not a pro for American Citizens.\n\nCons, We will entice people from all around the world to disregard our immigration policies. Multiples of illegals here that may be a risk either criminally or for National Sercurity reasons will be given a free pass to come and go freely. (The first World Trade bomber was given amnesty in the 80s and flew back to Afghanistan to learn how to make bombs.) Our social systems will be strained further as they feel more capable of using the system and a chain reaction on those displaced from the immigration. \n\nAlso, the employers who are enjoy low wages and no fear of litigation or workers comp would lose all benefits of hiring illegal workers.
1096344
NO!!\nAmnesty will only encourage future illegal immigration. THink.. If those people see that we give amnesty to illegals, then they too will think they can come here and get amnesty in the future as well. Your stealing a car example is dead on. Amnesty is no better then releasing all prisoners because they have been in there for a long time.
664017
I think the felony for aiding an immigrant is a non-starter and a negotiating point the House put in.  I think if we can't enforce the laws we have, all we would have with that law is an even more 'illigitimate law'.  (I am sure that is in your text book too.)\n\nHowever, while the principles you are discussing are one theory of political analysis, using any one theory alone is like wearing blinders.  Yours doesn't get you to the point in this case.\n\nThere is frustration with a demand for rights we reserve to legal status individuals, and with the assumption that overburdening schools and services should not be taken into account if the people doing it are 'good people'.  Basic human rights are different, and if we are physically being cruel to people or not allowing them due process or something, that would be different.\n\nThose who repeat that illegal immigrants are here illegally aren't dim wits unable to comprehend basic social theory, and many have progressed beyond Poli Sci 101.  What you see is people saying that the ones demanding legal resident rights aren't entitled to them, and are out of line to demand that kind of rights.   Those rights are conferred precisely because people are here legally.  Illegal immigrants aren't part of the protected class that came here legally at a rate designed for assimilation. \n\nI believe that, myself.  I think the best argument for regularizing current illegal immigrants is that while we have to close the border and limit immigrants, these people are already here.  As a practical matter, if they would meet our standards (not gang members or terrorists, and self supporting), a lot of people think it is best to just say 'ok start today' on tough enforcement.  The problem is that the amnesty in 1986 to do just that was taken by many as something that would happen regularly.  Since 1986, there has not been enforcement at the border and the illegal immigrant population has exploded.  Moreover, people come onto this site and actually say they should get amnesty 'because nothing has been done for Mexicans since 1986', as if amnesty were a regular process.  That would nullify our immigration policies, which have good reason for existing.\n\nI think we need to close the border, really, really close the border.  Then we can turn to the people inside, and decide how to handle that.  It is a lot easier to be empathetic when you are not being told that theoretically we should support the poor of the entire world.
766827
If they grant amnesty like in the 1980's.  I would prefer that they set something in place to secure the border but the entire border.... their lack of gumption to do anything about this situation has us in a terrible predicament.......The politicians greed for tax money enabled terrorist to penetrate and invade our lovely country.  Amnesty will happen but I want them to secure our country
1118847
Limited, legal immigration - good.\nIllegal immigration - bad.
781194
No they have applied for amnesty. It's one of the bills supported by the Democrats who now contol Congress. Perhaps a wall.............. a very high wall between our borders might be the solution to this horrible crisis that we now face.
494615
I think this is a very valid question.  It shows how hypocritical it would be to give amnesty to those who did not follow the rules.\n\n---\n\nin response to the person above, that is not true.  They are not all "doing the work that no one else will do."  They are doing jobs U.S. citizens will do, but are doing it for such cheap wages, often lower than minimum wage, that they are getting the jobs.  They are bringing down the value of a jobs worth.
1076378
Your logic is correct.  Giving amnesty to a group of individuals is discrimination against those who have broken other laws.
588591
Chris Simcox, president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, issued the following statement on the passage today of an illegal alien amnesty bill by the U.S. Senate: \n\n"The vote to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens by the United States Senate today, should it pass into law, would ensure that the status quo is maintained: the borders would remain wide open and the attractive nuisance of endless welfare and social programs at the expense of the American taxpayer would remain. Those climbing over the backs of those waiting patiently to abide by our laws; and instead breaking the law, illegally entering this country, and committing document fraud; those not paying taxes; and those hiring illegally would be granted full amnesty. American citizens would, of course, still be subject to prosecution for document fraud and tax evasion. This sends the message that if you play by the rules, you suffer; if you enter the United States illegally, you are not subject to the rule of law.\n"The American people do not trust the government to grant amnesty now and secure the borders later. We already went down that road in 1986, and the borders remain wide open still today. \n\n"Their constituents are watching, and these Senators will pay the price come election time. We are now focusing our attention on the House of Representatives where we do not expect amnesty to pass. The House is more respectful of their voters, as they stand for re-election every two years. The arrogance and cavalier disregard of the will of the American people by this Senate will not be forgotten-there will be an accounting. The American people are still sovereign in this country, not a gaggle of politicians pandering to their special interest donors. \n\n"The existing border crisis is a dereliction of duty by those entrusted with this nation's security, sovereignty and prosperity. The U.S. Senate just left America vulnerable to a tsunami of migrants at the border, to terrorist infiltration and to an unprecedented crime wave by drug smugglers, thieves, rapists, human traffickers and murderers who cross our frontier at will-and whose bravado and aggression will now increase with the Senate's message of our apparent national weakness. \n\n"But the Minutemen will remain on patrol, at our posts-and continue to build border fencing and barriers on private land with private donations until the U.S. government performs its most basic constitutional duty to these United States, and safeguards the people and protects the territorial integrity of America."
844575
Thanks for the links.I will be voting for those who are AGAINST illegal aliens. No amnesty or benefits should be given to those here illegally.
1046828
They shouldn't be even considering most of the proposals on the table, as they give benefits to illegals that even US citizens do not get (tax amnesty, social security amnesty/fraud, etc...).  \n\nHopefully they won't be our elected officials too long if they keep this up, but most voters are apathetic/uninformed and that's probably the biggest issue we face.  If the elected officials are not "punished" (i.e. not re-elected), then they will get the message that they don't "know better" than the rest of us.
937443
But, by giving them amnesty you're just promoting more illegal immigration. In other words throwing more wood on the fire.
343069
ECONOMIC TERRORISM\n\nYes Its A Strongarm Tactic To Try To Convince Legislators To Grant Amnesty\n\nIt Wont Work\n\nAmerican Citizens Have STRONGER ARMS And Will Step Up To Take Care Of The Problem That The US Government Wont
837431
The evidence in support of putting and end to illegal immigration is overwhelming. Study after study, fact after fact CLEARLY demonstrates this. Illegal aliens have broken federal law, they are in fact criminals. The U.S. Government has made but a token effort to enforce the law and in every other aspect (free food, free medical, free education, public assisted housing) encourages and rewards the lawbreakers.\n\nI find that the U.S. government is guilty of aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise. I find them guilty of importing criminals and sentence ALL former Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and members of the House and Senate to give up and forever relinquish their FAT pensions.\n\nGee if we could do that this problem would have been solved in a heartbeat
1001884
Its costing us BILLIONS of dollars right now every year, so in ten years you can count on more taxes to pay of Illegals. Its our childrens children who will be paying unless something can be done about it.  I believe it was 1986 when amnesty was given to about 3 million illegal immigrants and the U.S. government promised it would not happen again.  Write to your senators and ask them the same question.
844294
No! \nillegal is still - illegal. \nEven if amnesty is granted, many will not accept the fact they were first criminals who broke our laws, and were rewarded.
717939
Should we give murderers who haven't been caught yet amnesty?  Or thieves?  Or drug smugglers?  Illegal aliens broke the law.  They should not be given amnesty.  Deporting them is probably not reasonable though.  So the answer is, we should cut them off from government benefits, because these benefits should be for people here legitimately, and give them the opportunity to become legitimate or leave.  Cutting them off would force this decision.  Further, we should highten the penalties for hiring illegal aliens to domestic businesses.  This way, even if we can't find them and resolve the issue on a personal basis, the pressure on the people paying them would effect a result.  At that point, if they don't choose to become legitimate, then deportation would be appropriate.  Most of them are here because they want to be part of this country, I would imagine, so they would probably comply.  Bottom-line: amnesty will only provide incentive for more illegal aliens to come.  The only amnesty that should be extended is for the interim time until they become legitimate.  And this should only apply to the illegals already here.