How many of you want to make illegal aliens legal citizens? YES OR NO?
482232
Problem #1: Population \n\nThe first problem I see with the current state of the immigration laws is the significant rise in population that has, and will, continue to occur over the next fifty years. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), an estimated 1.1 million immigrants, both legal and illegal, enter the United States every year. 700,000 of these are legal immigrants; 120,000 are refugees, and between 250,000 to 300,000 are undocumented or illegal “aliens” ( Baldwin, 1995). The United States population at the moment is roughly 288 million people. If this trend of aliens is not decreased, the population will reach 400 million by 2050. How many people can America hold? \n\nProblem #2: Benefits Illegal Aliens Recieve \n\nCurrently, under federal law, undocumented foreign citizens are eligible for emergency healthcare, free schooling from kindergarten through high school, and W.I.C. or Woman, Infants, and Children nutritional program ( Baldwin, 1995). This is important to note because there are currently between eight and ten million aliens currently living illegally in the United States. An estimated 2.5 million of these illegal aliens currently reside in the state of California alone, due to the agricultural jobs that are readily available for cheap labor (Kadetsky, 102). It should not be surprising then that the residents of California were outraged over the amount of money that they were being forced to spend, and the amount of resources that were being used to support aliens that are not “allowed” to be in the United States in the first place. \n\n \n\nProblem #3: Homeland Security\n\nIn the Fiscal year of 2002, which runs October 1 through September 30, the United States Coast Guard, which is the country’s primary maritime, or sea going, law enforcement agency, intercepted 4104 immigrants from various South American countries (USCG, Para 2). Since then, the numbers of immigrants intercepted by the Coast Guard, has continued to climb at an alarming rate; jumping to almost 11,000 in 2004, 9,500 in 2005, and currently with less than two months into the 2006 physical year, there have already been 1,000 migrants accounted for and processed through the Coast Guard (USCG, Para 1). Illegal immigration can potentially cost American tax payers billions of dollars a year. The United States Coast Guard, whose primary obligation is to prevent the loss of life at sea, can not stop this problem by its self, it is mearly the first line of defense. It is up to the rest of America to join the fight and help put an end to this awful practice.
708043
I work with a guy who was about 4 years old when his parents immigrated legally. He was not born here so when he got old enough he started the process to become a legal citizen. He paid for it, he did it the legal way and he has been here seventeen years and is about to get his citizenship. He is adamantly against illegal immigration. I makes him mad to think he went through the proper, legal. tedious process and those people could end up getting their amnesty without doing what he had to do. \n\nI'm sick of people claiming those illegal immigrants just want 'work to feed their poor families'. That is such a CROCK!  I have yet to see anyone coming across that border looking emaciated or starving. I see people from Ethiopia and other countries where they are REALLY starving, their children are DYING from malnutrition  and they would LOVE to come to the USA. They are POOR. The USA sends aid to those countries but we cannot take in millions of poor people to be supported by our taxes. It's the same with those illegally entering from our border with Mexico. We cannot continue to support unlimited numbers of people who just 'want a better life'. I want a better life, too. I can't just go move in with a rich person and demand they take care of me and my family, provide us with medical care, food, clothing and let me have the run of his house. It don't work that way. You have to live according to what YOU, YOURSELF, can provide. If they want a better life, make it better in their own country. They shouldn't slither into the USA and demand WE take care of them. They're not starving! They are no more poor than some of our own citizens. They need to get a real life in their own country.
312754
No not yet unfortunately, i hope they pass that because these illegals are causing this country money and some might say no they are not, but the way things are going it definitely will.  Either come in legally or go away!
1092624
I agree 100%.  Why did we make the immigration laws?  The term illegal by definition says they are doing something very wrong.  How many SKILLED workers could be here if there were not 12 million criminals here who stole the American dream from them?  They say they are not criminals?  Tell that to the skilled foriegners living in worse places than America who will never get to raise a family here because they are taking their place in the American dream.  Mabey they can hold a rally aimed at asking all the illegal immigrants to give THEM a chance at the American dream...  Do you think they would give the sympathy that they are asking for themselves?  How many of them would go back to where they came from and try to immigrate legally to give the others a fair chance?
581325
I 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\nThis will only work if we protect our borders. If we keep allowing them in, it's just a waste of time!
721577
I have a lot of friends from Pueblo.That doesn't change the fact that they are illegal.Some I taught English to and they taught me Espanol.There are even some that I helped set on the right foot towards citizenship.You know as well as I do that you should have gotton your citizenship by now.Those that I helped are on their way.I'm proud to call them Americans.A friend of mine from Ecuador just recently returned from the Gulf Coast.So it's not only Mexicans that Cross the border.It' not only you that we are trying to curb it's all of South America.Not only do we have an influx from you but from all over the world.Drugs,illegal weapons,female slavery and a host of other cancers that we can't see yet cross with those illegals.We have to secure our borders,all of them.If you are serious seek an Abagado.I think that's how you refer to an Attorney.I have friends from all over the world seeking citizenship the proper way.WHY CAN'T MEXICO AND YOU.GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND I MEAN THAT
866063
more american citizens need to be speaking up and letting these politicians know we are not going to let this just be an election ploy. and that we are against it. they need to start pleasing the ones who do get to vote legally. who are here legally  and to h@** with what the illegals want.
358681
They should apply for citizenship the legal way.  If you want to stay here then do it RIGHT or go home.\nThey take away our jobs (working for nothing).  I agree buy everything today!!!!!!!
740827
Go home until you can become citizens and pay taxes like the rest of us. I am all for LEGAL IMMIGRATION. I want all to be able to better their lives. Just not without making others have to pay for it.!
886679
I hope they sent all the illegals back where they came from.  If people want to come to this country, let them do it the legal way, not commit a crime to get here.
273830
Those of you who sympathize with the illegal immigrants are thinking with your hearts. Do you think for one minute that I have no heart? I do, but I have to think with my brain. If I were them, I'd come here, too. But the fact of the matter is that these people are breaking the law by their mere presence.\n\nTo those of you who say that they are only here to do the jobs that no one else would do. THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE!!! My father was put out of business by them!!!! He was a private contractor/painter. They charge so little for their spray paint jobs on people's homes, and they are able to do that because they have no liscence to do contractor work and no insurance and pay no business or income taxes...their costs are lower because of these things. And do any of you know any high school students who would like a weekend/evening job but can't get one at McDonald's, etc? I do! And many other places that would have hired them in the past just don't, because they can hire undocumented ILLEGAL workers. And let's not forget that they don't come here alone...or if they do, they soon send for their family...wife and 4 or 5 or 6 kids...or maybe they just bring 2 and have the other 3 or 4 here on TAXPAYER MONEY!!!! And then we have to provide healthcare and education to them!!!!\n\nI don't think that these women who stay home with their kids are lazy. I TOO AM A STAY AT HOME MOM...and I do realize that many view it as a luxury. The problem is that they have babies at our expense. They file for MEDI-CAL (here in Calif. that's the publicly funded "insurance" for poor people...and my family doesn't make enough money to afford insurance, but we don't make little enough to qualify for this, but if someone with no papers walks into the office and says "I'm illegal and have no papers," they are not turned away, they are given a plastic card that entitles them to VISION, DENTAL, HEALTH, HOSPITALIZATION, and PRESCRIPTION BENEFITS that my family cannot even afford, and how is it being funded? MY HUSBAND'S PAYCHECK!! They get food stamps, section 8 (almost free housing) and crowd our Head Start (free preschool) and public schools.\nYou say that they improve the economy? The only people benefiting are business owners, the rich moviestars and CEO's who can afford them as nannies and gardeners and can afford to go to the car wash and out to dinner, and the rest of us have to suffer living among them and sending our kids to overcrowded failing schools!\n\nThat's the reality of it.\n\nHey, abbby23 (BELOW): I don't suck, and I'm not ignorant of history, but Mexico's ownership of California and other South Western States is just that: HISTORY! Does Mexico want it back? For what? It can't even take care of the states it has, that's why you guys are all coming here! You think I don't know that I am from immigrants? Of course I do! But don't pretend that you (I'm assuming you're Mexican, because of something you say, but if not, no harm intended) aren't half immigrant in your blood...yep, read your history, girl, your daddy came to this continent and raped yo mamma!! don't like to think of it that way, do you? The point, anyway is that this is NOW, CURRENTLY, and FOREVER a LAND OF LAWS. IF YOU WANT TO COME HERE, WHY NOT FOLLOW THE LAWS. I will admit that I feel a little bit guilty, seeing that I know and love quite a few Illegal Immigrants...but the opinion I'm voicing here is from the point of view of what is best for the U.S.A. not for the people I know. Naturally, I don't want my husband's uncle - who is here illegally (not to mention his wife and two of his daughters, and several of my husband's cousins, etc.) I don't really want them deported. They're great, hardworking people. But the citizens of this country need to draw the line and get people to follow the laws. If I blatantly broke laws like Illegal
624837
Sure i'll add one. They send their kids to our schools and we have to accomendate their Spanish kids. We have to hire Spanish speaking teachers. We have to do things their way. Illegals are such a pain in theass.
727892
Yes I do,they should be tried under our existing laws .They need to also be made to pay for the cost of deporting the illegal aliens that they employed..The federal law against the employment of illegals must be enforced with zero tolerance.Make them pay dearly for the cost of their hiring practices of "cheap labor"To help stop the illegal alien you must take away the bait,the lure of a job,then you can stop the illegal from coming to this country.\nThe Social Security Administration offers a free employee verification service for employers wishing to verify the legal status of potential employees. The service verifies the social security numbers (SSN) for up to 5 employees. Call toll-free 1-800-772-6270, weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.  You will be asked for your company name and EIN. You must also provide the following information for each name/SSN you want to verify:\n\nSSN \nlast name \nfirst name \nmiddle initial (if applicable) \ndate of birth \ngender \n\nhttp://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=118860,00.html - See Verifying Employee Names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs)\n\nhttp://www.cis.org/articles/2006/jmvtestimony022106.html  - Verification of Employment Authorization: Federal Basic Pilot Program is an Effective and Employer-friendly Tool for Immigration Law Compliance
604783
If it adds new skills and techniques to our troops on handling civilians at the border, then I'm all for it. I think people should come to this country legally. Get the proper paperwork done and you can come in! It's not fair to the other people who got in legally.
738880
I am in favour of this - COUNT ME IN!  DEPORT THEM ALL!  NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES, NO COMPROMISES, NO AMNESTY!  Get whatsherface out of the church and ship her over the border asap, and any other illegal aliens as soon as they are found!  \n\nI read in the news recently that the FBI arrested 10,000 criminals in a one week sting - if this can be done, more than 10,000 illegal aliens can also be found and deported every week.  If this is done consistently, yes, we WILL deport ALL of the illegal aliens - no more of this "we can't possibly deport 12 million illegals.  YES, WE CAN!!  To heck with the cost of deportation - if we get busy and consistent with deportation, it won't be long before many will run back across the border out of the USA on their own steam!  If, at the same time, we also hammer ALL companies who hire illegals, even if it means fining them to the point where they have to shut down business, sobeit!!  And, at the same time, shut off ALL access to social benefits such as food stamps, medicaid, illegal children in our schools, etc., believe me, they will start leaving on their own very soon.  \n\nSo, yes, I'm IN FAVOUR!
356553
Are you American?  If not, your opinion is like an arsehole we all have one.  If you are NOT American, how would you feel if the did it to yours?  \n\nI will not ever support the illegal aliens of any country that is trying to get a free ride into my country.  You shouldn't either!!!
559300
fenchurch is wrong in stating that most are here legally. INS statistics say otherwise, to the tune of about 8-10 million people depending on which survey you read. Illegal immigrants cannot legally vote, although many have forged ID's and Social Security cards, so some may have tried it and succeeded (depending on how well their backgrounds were checked, which generally isn't very well). Illegal immigrants are basically spitting in the faces of all who came to this country LEGALLY, through the proper channels, like my ancestors had to. And the liberals don't even call them illegals anymore-which they are. They call them "undocumented aliens". What a joke.