Should George Bush close all borders and would that solve the immigration problem in the US?
597410
mother of exiles, from her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, i lift my lamp beside the golden door!"\nwere any of you so enflamed about immigration 6 months ago or are you disciples of the media blitz?
1151487
Stop the leaks you can;\n Close all immigration till we work out our own problems. \n Fine and jail those who hire (just like selling liquor too minors-many will obey the best they  can if they know there is a stiff penalty).\n Deport and fine (if they have money on them) always.\n No benefits to Illegals-none not even school\n And yes get very tough at crossings since nice didn't work.
797210
I am in agreement with many that we must control our borders. It is a national security issue and the drug lords freely pass drugs into the United States. Okay but we have problems on both sides of the "f". The "fence" will not stop the corruption of US Officials who allow these drugs to be passed. These same officials will have a key to open that "border fence" to admit the drug lords but will not permit the passage of the poor illegal immigrant that came to clean up your buildings instead of blowing them up. Why do so many drugs come into the United States? The answer supply and demand. We need these illegal immigrants to work the jobs that our so drug addicted nation will not fill. WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM. We do not need to repair the damaged levy by placing our finger in the hole. We need to repair the entire levy. DON'T let these politicians keep you ignorant....This whole smoke screen/border fence is just a ploy to get them reelected. These same politicians know that we need this "illegal" work force just as much as they need us.....Think.....if it were not true would it have taken them so long to do something about it. NO it wouldn't have. The 911 incident caused us all to think....but did the illegal alien mastermind that event. No, he didn't so why treat him or her as if they did do it. STOP RACISM. HUG AN ILLEGAL ALIEN TODAY \nWho cares build the fence. The American public has clamored that they wish for this atrocity to be built. Then once all those billions of dollars are sunk into the building of this shameful wall......there will be no money for mass deportations...You see this is why the government is building this wall... We all know that it will not serve the purpose for which it is built....They didn't even build a levy that could protect New Orleans..... the illegals crossing are just as unpredictable.....Build the fence so they will be able to say later well we don't have the money now for deportations.......Also you will see discounts on ladders on the other side of the border. You just need a ladder to safely scale the wall without a scratch.
811607
Bush is doing this to have the american people proud of him for trying to fix "the immigration problem". The fence in his eyes is to help prevent more people from crossing illegally to the US and keep the population down. The thing that makes me laugh is that California's Gov. was an immigrant before he got here and now he's all Bush fan about the immigration problem in Ca.  Also it's because people are narrow minded and if all the Mexicans left the Us then the American people would have to do all the dirty work that they don't want to be doing now. VIVA!
898108
Fence is not the proper solution to curb immigration.  The US must give aid for development of its neighboring countries so that people will improve their standard of living in their home countries and will not come to America for greener pastures.
674813
I think that those who are concerned with this issue recognize an expensive band aid when they see it.  Others didn't care to begin with.\n\nI think he should break his program into two pieces 1) get the border security and employee immigration verification systems in place, then 2) increase future immigration through enhanced legal programs.\n\nThe path to citizenship for qualified illegals already here could start during step one, but the increased immigration going forward should not phase in until the border is demonstrably much more secure, and we have tracking programs to make sure new guest workers go home when their time is up.
754356
sure why not, we should secure the border and legalize the ones that are already here, thats the most logical answer
1068152
We've had a virtual open border for decades.  The problem is that the US is one of the richest countries in the world and Mexico is a corrupt, impoverished slag heap.  As a result, about 10% of the entire population of Mexico has fled, most of them illegally, to the US.  A great many of them are not the least bit interested in becoming US citizens; they are here to take what they can get in terms of social services, public education and such, at great expense to American taxpayers.  The illegal mexicans are parasites on the backs of American taxpayers, sucking away money and not paying taxes.  Several California cities have sued the government of Mexico for billions of dollars each in an attempt to recoup some of the financial drain caused by illegal Mexicans. \n\nThere is a mechanism in place for legal immigrants.  The Mexicans want nothing to do with it. Amnesty is a very stupid idea.  It would reward lawbreakers and encourange countless more to break in illegally.  If millions of Americans suddenly decided to rob banks, should amnesty be given to them just because there were so many? No. Same thing applies here. \n\nSpecial favoritism to Mexico will bankrupt American companies and drag down the US economy.  US taxpayers will pay and pay for the cost of illegal immigration. \n\nThe border should be slammed shut and illegals should be rounded up and sent back, no matter how much it costs or how llong it takes.  There should be a $1,000 bountry paid to any citizen who can capure an illegal Mexican and turn him over to the authorities.  One way or another, this scourge has got to be stopped.
563997
It would be a colossally stupid idea.  Not even the president is suggesting total deportation.
136178
No. I think that the best thing for America would be to close our borders to illegal aliens, send the illegals that are already here back to the country of their origen, and to lower the marginal tax rate so that American business will be able to compete in the world market instead of sending our jobs abroad.
526622
The border is broken.  I have been a supporter of Bush, but I have to say, I think he dropped the ball on this one.  Putting 6000 National Guard troops is like putting a band-aid on someone who's bleeding to death.  I say this because the role of the National Guard will be a "behind-the scenes" operation.  At least something is being done, but I don't think it's enough.  This has been a problem for a very long time, and I think this should have been fixed before it got so far out of hand.  I did like what Bush said about ending the "catch and release" of illegals.  Well, to summarize...yes, he should have done more, but I suppose this is a start...One can only hope.
458256
How to solve the border crises, HMMMMM Closing the borders would help. Putting up that wall they talk about.\n\nI am not a lazy american I will do what ever it takes to care for my family. I have dug trenches, I have done the labor that many immigrants do, I even ran a citrus grove and picked fruit right along with the immigrants.\n\nI have no problem with people comming to america. What I have aproblem with is those people who come over here and have their children and let us foot the bill. I get tired of paying for an illegals hospital bill, I am tired of my car insurance rate going up because an illegal is driving with out a liscence or insurance.\n\nLets close the borders, build that there wall at least 12 feet, and get those that are here illegally out of our country.
305941
i do not believe it has anything to do with racism , to want our borders closed. the key word here is illegal. things have to be done in a proper manner.. we have to take care of the people in our own back yards first.. and although we should remain compassionate, we can not carry the burden,if other countries are mistreating their citizens so much that they seek asylum here. this is a classic example of charity needing to begin at home. once we have erased poverty and issues faced by Americans then we can look elsewhere. this is what homeland security should be all about. and please do  not get this confused with having to step up to the plate from time to time to send adequate aid the victims of disasters etc. if reasonable.
1161675
Issues like immigration are easy to take a stand on and propose an answer to. It's a way to get people to follow you because its an election year, so the important things get thrown to the side and these sorts of issues take the forefront.\n\nSome would also like to make you think that there's a definite connection between all of these things and that closing our borders would fix these problems however untrue and potentially dangerous that connection is.
404876
I am sure the Welsh people here in the USA are not here illegally.  Really what kind of question is that.  Most people are not saying we should close our boarders to all immigrants.  We are saying that immigrants need to use our immigration policies and procedures to come to the USA.  It is a matter of national security.  If an illegal day laborer from Mexico City can simply walk into this country so can a terrorist.
652673
The problem is Mexican citizens coming to the US, and assuming they can stay for life, no questions asked. Bush IS part of the problem, because he's supposed to oversee that the laws in this country are enforced. He's got a conflict of interest on the issue, though, so don't expect any epiphanies there...\n\nClinton was too busy getting high, getting laid, and getting paid. The republicans still have some tiny vestige of their ethics set intact, and they want reform. I'm an Independent, and I want reform, too. I'd like to see Fox put out a call for his citizens to return to Mexico, save us the trouble of having to legistlate and lobby and lobby until finally our states decide to stand up and take issue with Washington's apparent apathy on the subject...\n\nWar is what happens when another country, such as Mexico, decides that the laws that govern commerce and movement between your two countries don't mean anything, and that they'll generally do whatever they please, and dare you to challenge them. We've been 'fighting' a 'drug war' for years, and Mexico hasn't been helping beyond token shows here and there so they'll keep getting freebies from the US. It's estimated that the drug trade is worth some 30 billion annually to Mexico, which would largely explain why that country hasn't exactly sprung out of their chair to do anything about it. Between oil, drugs, and money that their citizens send home, Mexico makes a pretty penny off of skirting our standing laws on the books. Basically, they scoff at us, and demand more. I don't think that's right.\nBut, that's just me...
593578
President Bush Stated Last Night:\n\nWe are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. (Then Why Havent We Enforced The Existing Immigration Laws) \n\nTHE FACT IS that there is already a federal statutory framework in place which specifically prohibits the hiring of illegal aliens, \nwhich provides record keeping rules to verify an employee’s work authorization and identity, \nand which provides for monetary sanctions (Fines)to be levied against employers who violate the provisions of the law.\n\nTHE FACT IS that Illegal Aliens work in every sector of our country, siphoning jobs from Americans and depressing wages for the working poor and the middle class – \nand yet employer sanctions go largely unenforced by our government.\n\nTHE FACT IS that big business, \nwhich has provided massive financial support to the Bush Administration, \nand which benefits from hiring illegal aliens and paying them cheap wages while skirting employer tax and record keeping obligations, \ndoes not want “employer sanctions” enforced.\n\nTHE FACT IS that the Bush Administration has had the responsibility for “cracking down on employers who hire illegal aliens” \nand has failed miserably to enforce existing “employer sanction” laws. \nCAN ANYONE EXPLAIN WHY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION \nHAS ALLOWED THE NUMBER OF FINES AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO UNLAWFULLY HIRE ILLEGAL ALIENS TO FALL FROM 400 IN 1999 TO ONLY THREE (3) IN 2004?\n\nTHE FACT IS that there are ALREADY laws on the books providing for the deportation of illegal aliens, \nwhether they are simply here illegally, which, of course, is a crime in and of itself, \nor whether they have committed additional crimes as well.\n\nTHE FACT IS that the Bush Administration has made little or no effort to enforce these laws. \nInstead, they implemented a “catch and release” policy. This policy allows an apprehended illegal alien to remain free in the United States if that person simply agrees to appear at a court hearing! \nThe results of this policy have been disastrous. \n“Knowing they’re unlikely to be jailed, thousands of immigrants have surrendered to Border Patrol agents, and then have been allowed to continue their journey into America, court summonses in hand,” says T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council. \nThere are actually reports of illegal aliens taking taxis from the border to Border Patrol offices to turn themselves in, to be “caught and released” as a way to cross into this country. Under pressure, the Bush Administration has claimed that this policy would be replaced “gradually.” \n\nTHE FACT IS that, according to T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents about 10,000 Border Patrol agents and staff,“the immigration system is broken to the point where you just want to throw up your hands.” \nIt is this broken system that the Bush Administration has shown absolutely no desire to mend, and that the Bush Administration believes is “working fine.”\n\nTHE FACT IS that the Bush Administration’s immigration policies,  have totally failed to provide the financial resources or the manpower necessary for the U.S Border Patrol to effectively do its job of controlling our borders.\n\nTHE FACT IS that the Bush Administration, has done absolutely nothing to discourage the proliferation and tax-payer funding of Sanctuary Cities. \nMunicipalities that have designated themselves to be Sanctuary Cities providing illegal aliens protection from deportation, in violation of federal law. \nThey unconstitutionally arrogate to themselves federal government authority, \nwhile tying the hands of local law enforcement by prohibiting them from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities.\n\nTHE FACT IS that the Bush Administration’s record on illegal immigration and border security is generally regarded, even by its supporters, as one of neglect, and by serious proponents of immigration reform and border security,