what do you think of the immigration debate?
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?
849926
I hope the immigration issue will lead people to think a little harder, and maybe even vote...emphasis on the thinking part...
652517
in my opinion...\n1.  immigration should be reformed - the immigration process in the US is so poor compared to other countries.  this part of the government should be reformed along with other gov branches like DMV, Social Security, etc.\n2.  illegal immigration - we should close the border.  for those illegals that are already here in the US, INS should approve residency application depending on the individual situation i.e. if they contribute to our society or just creating troubles.  there should be a background check - if they belong to a gang or committed a crime, that should be an instant denial of application.  immigrants should also provide proof of auto insurance, medical insurance, income tax documentation that they have contributed something to this nation, etc.\n3.  legal immigrants and US citizens can protest to whatever cause they choose...we have this right in the US.\n4.  racist - they are simply bad.  although, i have read/heard some of the comments made by many...some are valid.  as an example people we screaming "viva MEXICO".  the protest should NOT have been used to glorify Mexico or show the immigrant's "in your face" patriotism to their country e.g. Mexico.  the protesters should have focused more on resolving their immigration issues...i would have loved to hear them scream "WE Love the US, please help us become legal...and WE will help make this country grow and progress".  the protest to me made more Americans angry toward illegal immigrants (majority hispanics) instead of showing compassion and understanding to their cause.  it's a human thing...it's understandable.
262277
I have *NO* problems with the immigrants if they come here legally.  My issue is when they don't, and we 'fly them home' and house them in our 'jails until their flight' and they turn around and do it again.  Not to metnion heath care costs.  \n\nI so believe we rely and NEED their labor and all that, but I'm very tired of them getting a free ride in the jails/healthcare system as that burdens us all.. and where 2/3rds of American's don' have health insurance it is a bit troubling.  \n\nGo home, come back and do it legally and I have ZERO problems with it :)  GL\n\n** The only TRUE NATIVES are The Native Indians (Aborinals) of North America which includes Mexico, USA and Canada.. America does not have the sole 'Native' population and that is blatantly wrong according to history.\n\nWe are NATIVE because we were born here - whether we are 2nd, 3rd or 5th generation, whether we have Native Aboriginal blood or not, we are not considered 'illegal' by today's standards and whether our anscenstors did right or wrong, does not change 'our' birth right.  Those of us born here, OR that come here legally, have the right to stay.  Excusing "Illegal behavior' only encourages MORE Illegal behavior - as President Reagen showed us when he 'excused' the process of other Illegal's into this nation.  If we do not have rules, and processes, where do we all end up?  I guess because we are born here or came here legally, our rights are not as important as the those that broke the law to come?  Hummmm I don't think so.  Do they pay taxes?  They can't without a Social Security Card (oh and breaking the law using ILLEGAL SS#'s? That's very enlightening) and if you are illegal they don't give those out.  Oh you mean sales tax?  That doesn't cover what is used in 'social services' between when they get caught - their medical, their jail time nor their plane ticket home.  That's my 2 copper and while this is a hot debate, and many do not agree, I find this a troubling trend and to 'excuse' 11 million Illegals keeps encouraging them to come illegally in hopes we will 'pardon them again'.  They need to go home and apply like the rest of those that came legally, and quit getting a free ride because 'there are so many'.  ARGH! One last question.. ok, so because there are so many rapists in jail, does that mean we 'just let them out because there are so many and they protest'?  They broke the law too!!  Of course not, but illegal aliens, undocumented workers have more rights than the citizens in our own jails do these days.
1169451
Good question.  I'd like to hear some good reasons why they think it is acceptable too. Personally I don't think there is ANY valid argument that will fly for coming here illegally.  I'll check back.  Thanks for asking.
444508
I think that it's an unnecessary strain on race relations.  I believe they would have been more successful at getting reform by doing this quietly.  The president, who is a conservative, had just pushed a bill to allow illegals to become eligible to apply for citizenship.  So, if a conservative is for it, it will probably pass since most of his party will follow him and the liberal would vote in favor of it.\n\nBut then it got ugly and there were marches demanding AMNESTY (instantly legal), not just the ability to apply for citizenship, and the race issue came up.  They accused whites of being racists, and a BIG backlash is brewing among american citizens.\n\nI've been raised around the hispanic culture and they're fine people.  I work with them daily, and my company has a center in MX City.  Actually, race has never been an issue around here, for the most part.  But this whole May 1st walkout is brewing some serious anger among Americans because they are demanding when they, quite honestly, should be humbly asking.  I've never seen anything like it.  I'm not racist, and even I'm getting dragged into the melee because I refuse to allow an illegal any latitude for their illegal entry.  And instantly people call me a racist or an "arrogant American."\n\nWe gave an amnesty in the 80's and everybody was ok with it.  The idea was that we're going to clear up the illegal issue and keep the new illegals out.  Well, now we have an illegal population of about 10 million...so amnesty is a big POS.  Enforcement is the answer.
706807
Bush and Pelosi have been discussing 'comprehensive reform', read, 'you give me guest workers and I'll give you amnesty'.  However, Homeland Security has said processing just the illegals here under the Senate Bill would create a 10 year back log.  At first blush that isn't good news for anyone legally immigrating.  However, Gates also immediately began pushing for skilled workers, and he has both clout and celebrity value.\n\nThe adminstration seems to be jumping on immigration as the only area where there may not be gridlock with the new Congress.  Question is how all of the populist Democrats who ran on border security to defeat Republicans will vote.
354977
The border policy is bull. And honestly, it's in the news and all, but the people I talk to in Southern California.. we don't care! It's just the media hype making it out to be a bigger deal than it is (I hope). To get a little stereotypical, what would we possibly do without Mexicans?? Honestly, who would cook, clean, cut grass, wash the dishes, and do all the other jobs that nobody else wants?? And they are not stealing our jobs, because nobody wants them! And if a Mexican is smart enough to compete with us for jobs (not saying they aren't, many many are!) then that is great! Who are we to decide who gets what? Honestly, the crimes that some of them commit aren't enough to deport an entire group of people. And finally, for the kicker.. WE ALL ENTERED THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY! I hate that argument, but honestly, it is true.
552730
Most people dont have any problem at all with legal Mexican immigrants.  Its just the ones that show no regard for US law and come here illegally, and overtax our social structure that we feel should be sent home.  That still doesnt mean I dont like them, I just recognize that the US cannot bear the huge cost of a huge flood of people.  But the legal process allows them to come in sustainable numbers.  Wake up and look at the impacts of the situation!  Too many people go with their gut "we shoudl be nice to everybody" reaction, without realizing how much harm it actually does to all.
313813
I must say I was surprised by those poll numbers.  For me, and I suspect for many others, the situation is this.  I have no problem with LEGAL immigrants.  I have little problem with others coming here to work.  The problem is those who come here illegally and stay permanently.  They drain our resources (health care for instance), overburden our schools, and make little or no attempt to learn English and/or assimilate into our country.  Definitely a problem with no easy solution.  Unfortunately our government turned a blind eye to the problem for far too long.  As a result, millions of illegals took advantage.  Now it's unrealistic to expect that they will all be sent back.  I'd like to see them invest their energy into improving their own country.\n\nFor those asking about where the 79% came from, go here http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1179117,00.html
1027478
Yes, I love it!  I look on the internet news daily for more stories like the one about the mayor of Hazelton, PA, or Sheriff Joe in Arizona, or big unexpected roundups of illegals in different cities.  It does my heart proud to see the citizens of the USA standing up against this injustice that the government has allowed to occur and get out of hand - illegal immigration.  I believe the power of the American citizens is now snowballing against illegal immigration and whether the Federal Government wants to or not, they are going to have to listen to the people whom they work for, and act accordingly.  The days of the freebies and handouts for illegal immigrants are quickly coming to an end and the smart ones will start planning their own voluntary self-deportations now, rather than wait until they are found and shipped out, possibly leaving family members behind in the USA.  Better they start planning and get themselves organized for an orderly return to their home countries before they get caught by immigration officials or the police or their landlord or their employer.  This way, if they have lived cleanly in the USA so far, without committing further offences since they first illegally came over the border, they have a hope of returning legally one day, if they go home now and apply to immigrate to the USA through the proper procedures.  WAKE UP ILLEGALS!  Do yourselves and your families a favour and return yourselves in an orderly fashion now, while you still can.  Otherwise, don't cry and whine when you get caught and shipped out on a moment's notice, when you aren't ready.  The jig is up!  Amnesty is NOT coming!!  Wake up and smell the coffee!
265879
Well, im american, and we have a lot of debate always going on about immigration policy here too. I know little of canadian immigration matters, however, if it helps, most{not all} immigrants to usa dont contribute much but cheap labor, however, there children usually assimilate very quickly, and that generation becomes contributing tax paying citizens. So, if your an optimist,  it can be looked at as an investment in the future.
1036885
obeirn1:  Fianlly someone with a brain on here.  I agree with you 100%.  Here is the trouble with this immigration debate, to much prejudices, and racisits trying to run the country.  Also some of these "haters" as I have so affectionatly called them, tend to go with what the neighbor says without investingating things themselves.  Like most things, when people jump to conclusions, this whole thing will turn out to blow up in the "haters" face.  People dont realize that it is not just "Mexicans" here illegally, and if you look at the problem more, you will se that it is actually our own Governement (INS policies) that prohibit the majority of these hispanics from gaining papers.  Look at it from their side, if your kids were starving would you not do what you had to do to feed them?  Now if you cant afford food, how on earth are you to afford thousands of dollars for papers, when the wages in countries like Mexico are 5 bucks a week....people just think they know all when they refuse to see the tarnish on the coin.  ~~To answer the question, I am ashamed that as a whole, americans think they are somehow better than the rest of the world!~~
363148
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.\n\n\nthanks cherokee rose i put my signature on  petition you rock
651122
What does it matter where they are from?  The issue is illegal immigration, not the country of origin.  Latinos have assumed a high profile in the marches and in the debate, so there is some reason to think in terms of 'Mexicans'. Your numbers bear that out since that 43% is illegal aliens from all of the other countries in the world, put together.\n\nHowever, I agree that name calling is a distraction at best, and nasty to read.  We could do without it, on BOTH sides of the debate.
240406
I believe in freedom.  If someone lives in an opressive country I can't fault them for wanting to move somewhere more free.  However, they must be prepared for dealing with things like people who are biased/prejudiced against them for any number of reasons.\n\nIf you immigrate to a new place, it is recommended to work very hard, learn the language and customs, and try to fit in.  The biggest problem with immigrants for a lot of people are finding out that the immigrants are abusing the freedoms/opportunities they find in their new place.
527469
I am a real liberal rather than the usual anti-conservative and I am completely against illegal immigration.\n\nPeople are coming across the border (not just from Mexico and Latin America, but from Asia and Eastern Europe; not just in sweat shops but in sex industry as well) illegally because they are being recruited by unscrupulous employers to circumvent the idea of free market economics. If the demand for workers is greater than the willingness of the indigenous labor supply to settle for the money offered then wages are supposed to go up. Instead, a black market worker is smuggled into the country, often at great physical peril, and then is kept at a job which would be illegal because the hours are too long and the environment is too unsafe by the threat of deportation or physical intimidation and the worker cannot seek redress because he must remain secretive. This is BAD for America.\n\nHowever, and I am sure you will not like this, I fear that if the War in Iraq were going better we would not be debating this issue right now. The economy has been in the tank for almost five years, and illegal immigration has been a non-issue until six months before a major election when the party in power is seen as being weak. Maybe that is a smoke screen, maybe it's just a coincidence.