Why are immigrants allowed in this country to begin with?
481685
What were you thinking when you asked that question?  Where did your family members come from?  WOW!
675945
It is a difficult question, but many of them could probably qualify for resident alien status, if not outright citizenship.  The fact is that their parents put them in this unfair situation by bringing them here illegally.  Perhaps there should be an easier way to enter the country legally, but if you enter as a criminal, you should be treated as a criminal.
992724
Americans welcome any immigrant if he/she is here legally. Those that aren't are not only trying to bypass the system but put the whole country at risk, because HOW DO WE KNOW that they are here for peaceful purposes? Illegal is illegal...and we have no way of knowing if you are here to simply earn more money for your family OR are here to cause harm to the nation...or at the very least prey on innocent citizens. Look at the large percentage of illegals that comprise the criminal activity in America. That's why ANY illegal has to be screened in order to weed out those that are here for non-peaceful purposes.
644714
Immigration is a priviledge. You're not always going to be gauranteed the right to immgrate to wherever you want.\nSay a country has an epidemic of sickness, or something, another country could close the border and not let them in.\nOr if you're running away from the police and you come to another country, they're not always going to let you stay.\nOr if something is legal in your country (say polygamy) and you try to bring it into America, they wouldn't let you.\nThere are lots of reasons why an immigrant could be turned away.
905322
symantics here: \n immigrants are people coming into this country LEGALLY from other countries, in the hope of a "better life".  They follow the laws of the land and the contribute to society as a member. \n\nillegal aliens (NOT illegal immigrants) are people sneaking into this country illegally, and not respecting the law of the land.  Yes, they usually are here searching for the "better life" too but they are not "following the rules"or usually paying taxes.   These people are usually poorly educated and many are a drain on the systems into which they have established themselves.\n\nI have no issue with legal immigration.  My grandparents were all legal immigrants, proud to be in this country and earn their citizenship.  They found a better life here for their children and consequently me.  They worked hard, followed the rules, and  contributed to society by voting, and respecting the laws established to govern our country and communities.
920117
Because there are so many special interest groups that each have their own agenda to push.  There are so many illegial immigrants, from so many different nations- it's mind boggling.  No matter what is implemented, it will cost big $$$$.  Plus many different agencies would need to come together to identify,  and then prosecute people.  And it's confused by the fact that infants born here are automatic citizens while their parent's may not be-  in other words an all around, gigantic mess, by possibly splitting  up family groups.  And not all past immigrants are illegial- many waited their turns- for years, and came thru the proper channels.  An unlike today, they did not expect hand-outs- they learned the language and went to work, not the social services office!
530953
Most of the illegal immigrants made a CHOICE of entering this country illegally. But there a few of us who did not have much of a choice when we were infants. I agree with you, this country set rules for everyone in the US to follow. One of the rules is to enter the country legally, so technically those who chose to enter illegally are criminals. But why should we spend our tax money chasing after these people who are trying to better their lives when we have true criminals out on the streets? We should all keep in mind that not all illegal immigrants(Hispanics) jumped the border last week. Some of us have lived in the US for over 18 years. We do not have an accent and do not live off of food stamps.\n\nMy answer to your question is that many of us were 3 years old when our relatives brought us here, and I am pretty sure they forgot to ask us if we wanted to enter the US legally or illegally. Let's not be cruel, infants and toddlers are not criminals.
328881
I can't comprehend why any illegal immigrant couldn't have just came here legally. I don't have a problem with people coming to the United States that way. However, I do have a problem when [insert nationality] sneaks by our borders and settles down. It's not fair to those who already live here.\n\nWhich brings me to my next point: immigrants taking American jobs. The fact is, yes, they do take our jobs; IF they aren't legal, that is. Furthermore, illegals take up living space, use up American food and drink, ride our public transportation, and take advantage of our welfare and/or other government aid programs. I don't have a problem with legal Americans using the above. I DO have a problem with illegal [insert nationality] doing so.\n\nBy now, it should make a whole lot of sense. You don't deserve to be in America unless you're legal. Otherwise, you need to be kicked in the teeth and sent back until you're ready to earn your way in like everyone else.\n\nOne last thing: I HATE, beyond explanation, immigrants who come to this country and wave their flag before ours. I HATE immigrants who come to this country and refuse to speak English; it's uncomfortable to hear a different language in public. What if they are talking about setting up a bomb? It's only proper to know and have a complete understanding of the English language in this country. Finally, I HATE that our government is being so lenient on illegal immigration.\n\nThere's no excuse. If you're illegal, get out! We don't want you draining our resources!
664324
Perhaps it would help if you learned and understood the English language and the meaning of words.\n\nImmigrants are legal, because the process of immigration is a legal process.  Therefore, only those who have gone through the legal process of immigration are immigrants.\n\nIf you are referring to a process whereby those  invaders/trespassers who are here illegally, will be forgiven and given legal status, I am NOT in favor of making their activity legal.  They are criminals.  They are breaking the law.  They should not be rewarded for breaking the law.
1067054
Isn't it a personal choice? And anyway, If a person (immigrant or citizen) cannot communicate in the most common language of the country he resides in, who's at loss? Then why does one (who can communicate) make such a big deal if other person cannot communicate in national language (unless earlier is providing services to later).\n\nThe argument about immigration is not as much about a common language as it is about legal v/s illegal status. \n\nThat said, immigrants (as well as citizens) have to accept & respect the culture &  values of the country where they (with personal choice of their own) decide to reside (legally as well as illegally). And in my opinon that includes the national LANGUAGE as well. \nNo question about it.
503094
I agree with the other answerer...\n\nLEGAL Immigrants--"Welcome to America!  Can I help you?"\n\nILLEGAL Immigrants--"YOU ARE TRESSPASSING... return to your country, do not pass GO, do not collect $200 (cash, of course).  When you want to do things honorably and honestly, try again LEGALLY.  GOODBYE."
392242
It is not easy to get into this country legally, but most things worth doing are not easy.  As you said no other country, including Mexico, allows free and undeterred migration to their country so why should the USA.  The USA is a major terrorist target and we must KNOW who is coming into our country to protect our people and property from attack. It is about the greater good.  We could open our boarders and allow any and all who want to cross to come in but then how safe would they be after the bombings, gassing and killings started.
1129712
Getting a passport into this country is hard and becoming a US citizen is even harder. Because I'm not an illegal imigrant, I'm just saying what I've read and what I understand. They do it because the cost of getting a passport is too much for them to afford. Most of them need a good jop and they need money for their families. It isn't hard to understand
483563
Why is that in the immigration section?
984531
This country was BUILT on immigrants.  If every American made their own family tree that traced back to the beginning of this country, each and every one of their ancestors would be an immigrant.  Not to mention, in order to boost the population of this country, we continued immigration, welcomed it and encouraged it, for over 150 years after the country was established.  It wasn't until after WWI that the United States began putting serious quotas on immigration, and that was because of the Great Depression and its economic consequences.  Shortly after WWII, we realised that the country needs immigrant workers and students to BETTER the economy.  This country is the best in the world, and that's largely due in part to its economic dependence on the rest of the world and comparative advantage - and part of the comparative advantage is having open trade in labour with other countries in the world.  Stop being so closeminded and look at the facts - my mother is Moldavian, she came here and worked her a*s off, attended college, worked for her citizenship and her children's, and devotes a large amount of her time and money to this country and its causes, as do I, as a student, worker, AND a consumer.  \n"Ethnic" Americans (if there is such a thing), get off your high horse and face the facts - if immigration were so bad for the economy, then it wouldn't have been consistently taking place since the beginning of the country's existence.
1023078
Mostly they don't want to come here. They'd much rather be able to make a living and support their families in the countries of their origin. As far as those that do come here are concerned, they would also rather not have to live on run-down, inner city housing estates full of junkies and thieves.
972800
no way, they were born here so what makes that illegal?