Why are we pretending that illegal immigration is the biggest problem our country faces?
494461
to keep us from talking about the WAR.... and also the problems you mention!!!!\n\nit's easier to scapegoat illegal immigrants for all the problems in this country then face the real issues eroding our nation because then we would have to truly examine our own lifestyles and belief systems....
1081400
I live in the Southwest and it has been an issue here for as long as I can remember. The problem has become so enormous that the nation is waking to the problem. We wonder whats taken you so long?
842278
Legal immigration has never been the issue,but with the huge number of illegal aliens it may be harder for legal immigrants.The illegals are causing a back lash against even legal immigration.I cant see letting more immigrants into this country when we already have millions of illegals to deal with.The fact that you have a profession will help you I'm sure.but we certainly don't need any more unskilled,under educated,poor people in this nation.We are drowning in a sea of them already.Our\nimmigration policy's need to change to be more like Canada's where the highly skilled,educated,and needed are let in first.We here in America take any one and then \ngive their family members preference.So poor people bring in more poor people.Public services are stretched to the limit now.If this isn't stopped this nation will become just another poor 3rd world country.That no one will want to live in.We are not going forward we are going backwards.
247787
It is not up to a political party to do something about the Illegal Alien problem.  It is up to us as a people to tell our Representatives what we want to have done about the problem.  We should learn from 9/11 that this is a serious problem that affects us all.  However many including the 9/11 terrorist's entered the country legally and then did not leave when it was time for them to.  Our INS Department does not have the staff to honestly see the job through in most cases.  We have people who have come to our country on a student visa and remain here for many years after it has been expired, and many of these people go to the INS daily trying to get some sort of status to remain here.\n\nYes we have each day people who sneak into the country, but one must realize that many Illegal Aliens came here legally and just never left.  Sometimes it is just a clerical error and others have to do with quota's.  There is a lot more problems with the illegal immigrants than most people know and understand.  The problem needs to be explored and new legislation developed to meet the needs of our country as well as be fair to those who came here legally.
560758
If we open our arms to all poor mexicans we are sending a message... "Please come in and exploit our country, dont worry about our laws because we dont enforce them anyway."  If this happens we will become a third world country.  You cant just take all the poor people from one country and send them here and expect them to have better lives.  Thats just picking up the problem and moving it somewhere else.
226296
You can pick almost any issue and someone will feel that it is the top issue and the country is divided on it.  I believe that most people are in agreement that the Issue of Illegal Aliens is out of hand.  There are many things wrong with the way we handle this sitation and many of the problems are our governments doing.  \n\nWhen things are running smoothly in this country, people all working and no foreign issues on the top of our governments list of things to do such as fighting a war or negotiating a peace for someone else.  We all get along fairly well.  However we now see that people that are here illegally can hurt us as the hijackers of 9/11 did.  Many jobs have moved out of the country and replacement jobs are not as good as what you had and boom the Illegal Aliens are taking all of our jobs.  Well yes many American Jobs are performed by Illegal Aliens, however they get paid less than minimum wage, work long hours without overtime and if they did not perform these jobs the jobs themselves would cease to exist as Americans do not want those jobs.  I have noticed that on this forum at Yahoo Answers there seems to be a leaning to the fact that all foreigner's are Illegal as many people refer to either being Illegal or being a Citizens.  There is another category and that is being a Resident Alien and there are a lot of those out there.  Just because you are foreign does not make you an Illegal Alien.  I see a wave of mistrust of foreigners in this country that could in fact be very dangerous.  I also realize that because of things that happened 9/11 we may never trust as we once did.  While this issue looks to be all black and white it isn't and a lot of it is the governments fault for following antique laws instead of updating them to meet the needs of todays world. Our leaders need to figure this issue out and get something happening before it all boils over and makes one hell of a mess.
375316
This immigration matter is complex. Immigrants fleeing Mexico, are like ants soaking up our resources but Mexicans are hard workers and will do minimum wage and/or menial labor that some Americans frown upon. Our borders are not as secure as they should be and besides that, human smugglers take advantage of immigrants wanting to come here by herding them into vehicles like cattle, with no thought of safety or dignity. \nAt least 50% of all illegal drugs are smuggled from Mexico.\n   On the other hand Mexicans make up our largest percentage of legal aliens. They contribute significantly to our economy and our culture.\n    Our country needs to make laws applying to those already here and apply new statutes for future immigrants because our country is founded by immigrants from all parts of the world.
583233
Immigration needs to be controlled, I agree.  But to do that, I think, we need to create a system in which illegal immigrants that are already here and that contribute to this society to integrate into our system through legalization.  I think that deportation or criminalization of 11+ million people would have a negative impact in our economy and society.  \n\nThere are many reasons as to why the protests are taking place. Currently there are about 625 immigrations laws that the senate is debating. Some of these laws are cruel and inhumane. Some take on very good points, and some are just ridiculous. \n\nOne of the main issues is that some senators wanted to pass a law that would make all illegals and anyone who helped/hired illegals criminals. With 11 million illegals that would make a good chunk of the population criminals (legal or illegal, citizen or not citizens). \n\nIt is not so much an uproar against law enforcement, but an uproar against injustice and inhumanity. They are not demanding to violate the law or much less. They want a chance to become legal immigrants with the right of being able to go to a hospital when sick and without being scared that they will be forced to leave their families unprotected. \n\nThese people are not illegal because they want to, they are illegal because the goverment has made it extremely tough to become legal. These people are paying taxes as everyone else, trying to be good citizens as everyone else, and working for a better future for their families, just as everyone else. If an anmisty was to be approved, it wouldn't be a free ride either. The person would have to prove that they are an asset to this country, and have to have their taxes filed, a clean criminal record, have everything in order and pay the big fines that the goverment would implement. They are not seeking immediate citizenship, but a chance to eventually become citizens. They are not fee-loading as some people might think because they do pay taxes. And they are doing jobs that Americans find degrading.\n\nDougDoug_ I hope you get to read this too.  Illegal immigrants are not choosing to ignore our right to control immigration, what is happening is that the government has already made it extremely tough to become a legal immigrant that they have no choice but to stay here illegally.  This is one of the main reasons why these people are walking into the streets and asking for a chance to become legal.  They do not want to be illegal or stay illegal, and to become legal immigrants they would have to show that they are a contribution to the US, pay taxes and prove that they are not trouble makers.  They would have to pay fines for being illegally in the US plus all the cost that inquires to apply for a green card (legal residency).  \n\nAlso, let it be clear that they are not asking for immediate citizenship, but instead a path towards citizenship.  You have to be a resident for 5 years in order to apply for citizenship.\n\nIt doesn’t make it right that they are here illegally, but that’s what they want to fix.  And  they are willing to pay the consequences of staying here illegally (read above).
367079
I think it probably depends more on where you live, as to how you feel about it. Most people closer to the border, our fellow Americans, aren't to happy with ILLEGAL immigration. Always remember to say legal or illegal, that is the issue, not immigration.
446117
Because we dont want illegal immigrants but if you come into the country legally, not everyone would have a problem.
889340
I think they are people who have fled their countries for a better life here.  I do not think they are the biggest part of this problem.  US companies that seek them out and in some cases help them get into the country are the biggest part of the problem.  Until that is dealt with no ridiculous, under patrolled wall or fence will keep people out.  Congress (both parties) would like for us to focuus on the illegal entrants, on fences and even on beefing up security.  that is dishonest of them.  Do you ever notice how very few Senators and House members are drawing our attention to corporate America's hiring of these people?  Could it be that they don't want to upset the source of their campaign dollars?
643583
Is that like asking 'if God is all powerful why is there suffering'?\n\nBad as it is, it is worse because of illegal immigrants.  You are right, though.  As the 'most powerful nation in the world' we owe it to our poor to put a MUCH more intense effort into border security and enforcement than either of the current bills contemplates.
314126
We need to be very careful in distinguishing between legal with illegal immigration. we tend to generalize in our culture. yes they use some benefits they are not entitled to but they also buy goods and pay sales taxes, they help Americans make money , and to be honest an American wont ever work picking oranges, but the media doesn't talk about that, their figures don't take that into consideration..in this country its very easy to manipulate public opinion.\nI think that we are afraid of Illegal immigration (Mexicans are just half of them, no body talks about them, but how ever since we generalize so much Mexicans) for many reasons: 1.-they don't try to adapt to our culture or do so very slowly (but we don't accept those who try either)  2.-most of them coming here have very little education and we assume they are criminals (yes they broke the law, but also by speeding you are braking the law and that does not make you a criminal)   3.- there are too many of them and they will keep coming its inevitable (a wall--nonsense,military-nonsense) so we are so afraid because is something we will have to deal with either we like it or not..I think immigration should be allowed but controlled in a way that wont affect our economy.
666272
You mention numerous good points. Truth is, illegal immigrants themselves (Mexicans or others) are not the problem. It is the failure of the American Gov. and the American peopele. The gov guys are too busy trying to get reelected and make some $$$$ for themselves and their families. The Messicans are only trying to better their lives ...a human trait.\nAmericans are all skuttling around taking care of paying their bills and making ends meet that they don't participate in the process of creating  security, and standards in gov and their lives to worry about immigration until it maybe is too late.\nHow can any of you, knowing that supposedly voting for what you believe in is going to determine your future, even in the greatest compassion for the poor illegals, condone immigration by only one group in the large, electoral modifying sizes that these people are coming into our country? I love compassion but who will weep for me when there is crime beyond our ability to control it, there is not housing or water or elec. or gasoline or? you name it ..because there are too many people. The maojority (amnystied illegal/not citizens will vote for social welfare programs to feed their families, give them health care etc. For Pete's sake ...these people aren't even citizens and they are demanding things. Wake up and take your country back. Let the gov guys know you're PO and your mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. And then do something about it. Find your own little way to boycott, to not support, to speak of your concerns to your compatriot American brothers and systers. Rise up and DO something. Think about it ...you will figure a way to play your part in protecting our country and way of life from an invasion. Forget the terroists in the Middle East. We have a much bigger problem with this issue here in this country. Just remember ...it's your brother, boyfriend, husband, father that is over in Irag possibly dieing for America and Americans. Think they want to come home to a world of poverty stricken, illegal types who speak a language other than English? By all means be compassionate with others of all races ...but get our nest in oder first ...then we can work on Mexico and other corrupt governments to take care of what is their responsiblity.
194709
The government says that millions are lost each year  because of illegal immigrants but what they avoid mentioning is the fact that those same illegal immigrants that are costing the government money are in reality doubling that money back for the government. Illegals do not file income tax returns so all the money that they have paid in taxes stays with the government. Put it this way our government keeps a half open door at the border to allow the strongest to cross so they can work but tell the people that they are doing everything they can to seal up the border. I live not even 3 minutes from the border and have many friends who are immigration officers. Everything is a business including drug smugglers, as long as the big guys in office see a profit anything goes. They just don't tell anyone about it ..
579238
We have so many problems with immigration because our system is terrible.  We let anyone in at will, papers or not.  Then we try to deport the people who should be allowed to stay.  Now the government wants to drop the price of immigration.  I'm not against someone trying to make a better life for themself, but shouldn't we be trying to help them in their own countries?  That is, make life better back home.  Where are all the jobs for these people?  Some of them, and this has been documented, end up on our welfare rolls.  So I get to support my family plus someone else's who never worked to build our country.
676513
Illegal immigration. A very serious problem right now. We are being invaded, and for some reason we aren't stopping it. These illegal aliens are draining away at all of the public services that WE PAY TAXES FOR! The citizens of the U.S. pay the taxes, whilst these invaders do not. They are like leeches - and we are doing nothing to peel them off.\n\n1. They get free medical care from American hospitals.\n2. They get free food from various charities!\n\n\nBut, of course, the things that they get are not really free. Maybe for them they are, but someone is paying for them. Someone is paying for these unlawful citizens to abuse the system. The people paying for these undeserving illegal immigrants are the citizens of the United States.\n\nAnother thing - it's absolute idiocy that these invaders are calling the lawful citizens of America racists. Since when does standing up for your country make you a racist? It makes you a patriotic person!  But, in this case, it seems that some mindless sympathizers have fallen for the illegals nonsensical argument. They are actually convinced that they are racists for not supporting these people! But the very people they are supporting are draining away our culture and destroying our economy! It seems that the sympathizers want to kill our country! At the current rate of immigration, the states near the border will become majorly Mexican and will probably start demanding to join a state like Texas or California back into Mexico! If these invaders keep on coming, It will no longer be the United States of America.\n\nIt's absurd that some of the Mexicans believe that this is their country. They say that it has been their homeland for 40,000 years. They say that they are not illegal if it is their land. They tell the law-abiding people to read the history books and find out that it is their land. My history book says that we won Texas and other states from Mexico in a war. It is ours.\n\nHeres another argument that although seems reasonable, has many flaws. Some people believe that illegals are helping our economy by providing cheap labor for employers. This is true, but the money they make is not circulated back into the economic system. It's going back to Mexico. And, as the illegals pay no taxes, they aren't helping much there either. These illegals are not benefiting the system - they are destroying it.\n\n\nHere are my solutions to the problem:\n\n1. Deport illegal aliens as soon as they are found.\n2. Build a wall. The Great Wall helped the Chinese against the Mongolians. The wall that we have to build will help us with the criminal invaders that are the Mexican illegal immigrants.\n3. Talk to Vincente Fox and demand that he stops giving his people pamphlets on how to get in the U.S.A. illegally. It is happening, and it is a huge problem. Vincente Fox is a terrorist!\n4. Punish companies that hire illegal immigrants severely. If the illegals have no incentive to come, they won't come. Simple as that.\n\n\n\nEducation: $22.5 billion\nBilingual Education: $3.3 billion\nAFDC: $2.4 billion\nSSI: $2.9 billion\nSocial Security: $24.8 billion\nHousing Assistance: $2.6 billion\nCriminal Justice: $2.6 billion\nJobs Lost by Americans: $10.8 billion\nOther Programs: $51.4 billion\nFood Stamps: $7 billion\nHealth Care: $1.4 billion\n$131.7 billion annually. More than the War in Iraq has cost us annually. In fact, about twice as much. We've been in Iraq for 3 years. It has cost us about 277,000,000,000. Illegal immigrants have cost us 131,700,000,000 a year. And, that number will rise at the current rate of illegal immigration.\nWar protestors are always complaining that we've spent too much on the war - well, look at how much we've spent on illegal immigrants.