Recent polls show 69% of America think illegal immigration hurts the economy. (read details for question)?
606832
That's a lot of questions in one question.  Is this a research project?  Here goes:\n\n1.  Disagree\n\n2.  Caucasian\n\n3.  Citizen\n\n4.  Agree, racism is a part of the problem.  (To anyone who disagrees:  imagine the undocumented workers were English.)\n\n5.  I think our immigration system is a mess, but I can't claim I'd know how to fix it. Two things have to happen.  First, the security at the border has to be improved.  I dislike the fence idea, which will unintentionally come to represent a sort of evil in the same way the Berlin Wall did.  But in the end we have to enforce our borders for security reasons (thousands more border guards, more deportations of illegals, etc.), or else you can't stop terrorists and drug runners crossing over at the same time the genuine workers who want to improve their lives do.  We also need to make employers more accountable for making sure they aren't hiring illegals on a large scale basis.\n     At the same time we buckle down, we need to be humane and sensible.  We need to document the undocumented and make it easier for people to legally come here to do the type of work they do.  If this means a new category of Green Card or Guest Worker passes or whatever, then so be it.  But the people who come here to ply their trades and work honestly, and who are in such high demand, need to made legal.  That's the only way we can sort out the criminals.  In addition, if we give the illegals some sort of legal status, it makes it easier to regulate working conditions and wages so that the overall plight of workers (American and otherwise) isn't hurt by the presence of illegals.\n\nThat's my two cents.  We need to be sensible, but we also need to not be racist and heartless.\n\nAddition:  Hey, I'm in favor of security.  But as far as a wall goes, you'll create a place where poor and desperate people get shot at.  That has a lot to do with civility and humanity.  Do you want to be an America that lives up to the inscription on the Statue of Liberty or a country that perceives anyone that speaks a different language as an "invader"?  The choice is an easy one, I think.
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.
300319
WOW....Hayleyhate is on a roll today.  \n\nI don't think ALL Americans are afraid....I think those Americans who lack compassion and sensiblity are.  I know...I know...I am going to get the "illegal rhetoric and it's my backyard why can't they play in theirs".  \n\nSimple fact is....these people are not draining our economy...89 percent of the time they are making it more diverse and pleasant.  They CAN'T apply for aid illegally, they CAN'T get housing illegally, they CAN'T get Medicaid and so on.  \n\nI will say it now and will probably say it again...you are not going to kick out 11 million people.....Hell Bush even said it. So instead of griping and whining come up with a plausible solution that you can submit to your representatives and then "get over it".
321940
I think at this moment in time, anything can improve the economy.  I can't even imagine it going downhill from here.  It has gotten so bad in some parts, the only place to look is up.  I think the only thing that can bring the economy down is shipping off millions of immigrants who take the jobs that most native citizens couldn't afford to take anyway.
364785
Currently \nThe ILLEGAL Immigrants In Our Nation Comprise 5 Percent Of The Workforce\n\nThe UNEMPLOYMENT Rate Is 4.7 Percent\n\nYOU Do The Math
362376
"We help the comunites and without us you would be nothing."\nHAHAHAHAHAHA!\n\nOh I’m sorry I know laughing isn't very professional but that comment was so damn funny.  Obviously you either lack an understanding of basic economics or you haven’t thought things though.  The U.S. has a very capital intensive economy meaning we work 'smarter' in most sectors using machinery and educated workers in order to be more productive.  \n\nThis is totally opposite of third world countries such as Mexico which have to use large amounts of unskilled labor in order to produce labor intensive goods.  If all the illegal immigrants left the United States we wouldn't be dealt a crushing blow.  Quite the opposite, we'd be forced to eliminate tariffs and subsidies and then import labor intensive products such as strawberries and tomato’s at a cheaper price from South America.  \n\nThis would allow us to pursue our comparative advantage by producing capital intensive goods and services such as: software, engineering, financial management, etc. And propel our economy forward.  \n\nThe illegal immigrants filling positions which cannot be out-sourced or replaced by machines [which are very few positions] will be filled by citizens of this country.  But instead of those positions being filled by illegals' working under the table for $4 an hour and not paying taxes; the smaller supply of labor being provided by U.S. citizens will raise salaries these back up to a living wage.  Citizens will be able to make a living as a janitor or construction worker again, our economy will be better off due to lowered import tariffs and trade barriers, and we will know that one of Osama Bin Laden’s flunkies isn't sneaking across the border with a Nuclear Bomb.\n\nEveryone wins but the illegal immigrants.  But hey they shouldn't be here in the first place. \n\nBasically this all boils down to us looking out for our own interests as a nation.  I'm all for LEGAL immigration.  In fact I support it.  I think that we should allow people to immigrate to this country based on: \n\nEducational level - The more educated you are the more you bring to the table in our capital intensive economy.\n\nEconomic status - If you bring a lot of money to invest, it will benefit the U.S.\n\nAbility to speak english - English is the common language here.  Duh.\n\nEthnic Diversity - We are a nation of immigrants from around the world.  Diversity gives us strength.  Plus it's unfair to allow citizens of one country a greater chance at staying here then everyone else.  Also if you take a homogenous group of foreigners and place them together geographically it makes it harder for them to assimilate to our culture.  The idea is that THEY become Americans not that WE become: Mexicans, Indians, Koreans, etc.\n\nNeeded Job Skills - If the need for more workers in a given field is adversely effecting our economy we should import them.\n\nPolitical Persecution - If you are fleeing from an authoritarian regime such as Cuba, Iran, or North Korea you should be given extra consideration in coming here.\n\nI don't know why so many illegal immigrants, especially latinos have a huge chip on their shoulder all of the sudden.  After all THEY ARE THE ONES WHO BROKE THE LAW and they are the ones who shouldn't be here.  I wish our representitives would grow enough balls to tackle the problem head on and put these criminals in their place.\n\nEDIT:\n\n"When they specifically say mexicans instead of just saying undocumented workers or mentioning all the other groups that also come to the States illegally, they come off as racist."\n\nHey jackass: Mexico is a country not a race of people.  So how can people be racist when refering to a citizens of a specific country?  For example you can be of Filipino descent [and there are Filipino communities in Mexico] and be born in Tijuana and you will be a 'Mexican' citizen.  \nCalling someone
576698
Immigrants legal or not do a whole lot of jobs that 99% of Americans wouldn't do and even if we somehow forced everyone of the unemployed to work there wouldn't be enough people to fill ALL the jobs that immigrants do.\n\nThe US economy wouldn't crash per se but would be placed in a serious world of hurt. \n\nThank God for all the hard working immigrants in our country. Remember that ALL OF OUR FOREFATHER WERE IMMIGRANTS!
620629
ILLEGAI IMMIGRATION I SUPPOSE ,CONSIDERING THAT MILLIONS AMONG THE WORKFORCE ARE ILLEGAL.IF THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORK THIS WOULD IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON THE US ECONOMY BEARING IN MIND THEY ARE DOING ALL THE MEANIAL JOBS.
759642
Your boss is right! If the minimum wage goes up, so will unemployment! Did you ever think about looking for a job somewhere other than a fast food restaurant? Maybe you haven't noticed, but the economy is the best it's been in a long time and the unemployment rate is at 4.4 % which is lower than the average for the last 30 years!  You see, Bush did something right, and it's all because of the tax cuts (which everyone got! Not just the rich like you left wingers seem to think)
679899
OK here is my spin. I support the amnesty position...that being said I DO NOT support DEMANDING amnesty.  \n\nTHAT BEING SAID....illegal immigrants have lived next door to all of us for the last 10-20 years.  You have probably talked, laughed, drank a beer with quite a few.  This CRAZINESS that the US is currently experiencing has been a blister waiting to pop for years.\n\nNOW...now we are all up in arms.  \n\nSo to finally answer the last part of your question.  I read an article not long ago that stated illegal aliens generate 77 billion dollars that the states are reaping the benefits of as well as Mexico...so I feel that stimulates BOTH economies.  \n\nI cannot tell you if any one of them will appreciate it.....I would hope that they and their children and all generations after do....but....who can say.
443986
What scarcity of jobs, the economy is just booming, just ask any repuglican, you are one of them to lazy to go to work like they say. Isn't it a shame that in America, in a time of war that there are people that can't find jobs. It is supply side economics that is causing it. Give a tax break to a rich person he will eat for a day but give anything to the poor and it is because they are no good.....
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.
713017
I was wondering if anyone answering these questions is actually thinking about the issue. There are 15 million illegal people who are doing good work and also another so many foreigners who are not illegal but want to stay. We are all forgetting how USA got here and if we were so protectionist to begin with we would be Siberia not the USA. The economy needs people. We all want to grow at 3-4 % a year but no one is thinking that natural births account only for 0.5% of growth and 0.5 is from immigrants. Productivity can not account for 3.0 % growth!!!!  Ask the Japanese, Germans, Russian what they are doing to kick up their population. I only ask for you to put a little more analysis into your answer, rather that use protectionism and short sightedness.
1000114
Without illegal aliens, the price of agricultural products and other goods and services will NOT soar. The definitive study on this subject is the University of Iowa's "How Much Is That Tomato?" The study concludes that 'since labor is such a small component of the end-price of agricultural products (which includes price to the growers, transportation costs, processing /storage costs, grocers' profit, etc.),  hardly the making of $10 heads of lettuce, $25 hamburgers, $1,000 per night Days Inn hotel rooms like the pro-illegal alien lobby claims. \n\n\nIllegal aliens are NOT doing work Americans won't do. What jobs won't Americans do? In most states, Americans still clean their own houses, do their own landscaping, clean hotel rooms, work in restaurants and fast food places, paint houses, DO CONSTRUCTION WORK, work in airports, etc. - just like we have the past 200 years before "our" government allowed these people to invade our country. There are 18 million Americans who cannot find a job, so illegal aliens who are coming here to work do so at peril to American workers\n\nthanks yars and to sqwirlsgirl  better than the love dribble that you constantly post you have this need to constantly make comments about peoples answers  instead of just answering the question you find thing's in people's  posts  that you think you can comment on in hope of feeling superior.  if thats your thing go for it but i think most people can see it for what it is ! you know you don't have to read it,  and of course you don't care that's your problem do you date illegals whats your deal ? and why are you hating on me when your supposed to be spreading love is it  because you know i am right or why would my posts bother you so much?  jd for for prezadenta  lol
567307
Visited the USA recently and I thought I was in Mexico. You guys have problem allright.Mexico is exporting it's poverty to the US. No politician wants to come out and say anything against them fearing their re-election. Stop shopping where you know they are employed. As for them taking US jobs I don't think there is a line up for aspiring gardeners or fruit pickers. Are they taking jobs away from qualified people? Stop supporting  businesses who employ them. Only way!!!!
16248
The argument that they are "strain on the economy" is completely bogus. USA does NOT provide social services for illegal immigrants -- in fact, social services even for American citizens are very skimpy compared to other developed nations (e.g. Canada or Europe). People are loud about this, but it's hard to point to concrete economic benefits of NOT having illegal immigrants in the USA. \n\nIllegal immigrants generally work here, and mostly in jobs that Americans refuse at a low wage level (e.g. picking vegetables for 10 hrs a day in California sun). Kick them out and, among other things, you'll quickly see the price of veggies rise dramatically your local Safeway rise dramatically -- that much for the "drag on the economy" argument.\n\nAlso, imagine for a moment how much it would COST to deport all illegals -- I'm sure it'll work out to several hundred dollars per capita (hidden in the lump sum of your taxes, of course) -- would you be ready to pay, say $300 for this?\n\nU.S. policy on immigration is highly hypocritical -- illegals are pretty much encouraged to come in, in the interest of business community, and then treated as a subhuman species once in the country. \n\nWhat the U.S. needs is a reform of LEGAL immigration -- yes, tighten the borders, but also if we NEED some classes of labor, give temporary worker visas for people WE need to do it. \n\nIf there was no need for these jobs in the U.S. in the first place, nobody would come here. Most immigrants don't come here out of love of our freedom, high moral values and state subsidies but for economic opportunity.\n\nThe illegals that are already in the country are difficult to handle -- but the situation is American government's fault. People, predictably, pursue their happiness, and illegal immigrants are in no way less human or deserving of compassion than American citizens. \n\nIllegals should be given some status and recognition, if only to make it easier for the government to handle them. Giving them full legal status might not be fair to people who came here legally, but any solution is bound to be a compromise anyway. \n\nThe question of "deport or legalize people currently here" does not make much sense in isolation -- both actions are futile, if they are not a part of a more sweeping immigration reform, the one recognizing existing economic pressures and incentives for both U.S. businesses and potential immigrants.
674947
The myth of “lazy” immigrants cheating U.S. taxpayers and living off welfare couldn’t be farther from the truth.\n\nAccording to a 2004 study by the Urban Policy Institute, virtually all undocumented men--96 percent--and 62 percent of undocumented women are in the workforce. According to a March report from the Pew Hispanic Center, of the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., 7.2 million were employed in March 2005, making up approximately 4.9 percent of the labor force in the U.S. \n\nIt doesn't seem funny to me.  I think you should read up on the facts more before you ask such questions that knowingly or not expose your classist and (I'd assume also) racist ideology.