Who thinks the bigger issue is really border security, not immigration? This one's for you Ricky.?
606737
It really is both, but it is taking care of 2 problems at once. I have not really commented on this much, because then you will get people saying it just bush trying to put fear into the population, or whatever other inane conspiracy theory they feel like throwing out there, and frankly I just don't feel like debating with morons.
1101982
Because the issue is truly about Illegals, not immigrants.  By the way, I noticed no difference.
1163838
The borders are actually very secure.  The real problem there is smugglers, whether of drugs, other goods, or people.  They are very creative, and always have been.  Here in the northwest corner of Washington we are fortunate in that all the border agencies, the DEA, local police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have an unheard-of level of cooperation.\n\nFor instance, Canadian authorities were watching certain suspicious characters and learned that they were digging a tunnel under the border (a short distance from a border crossing!) and placed a simple phone call to our side.  They were allowed to complete the tunnel; we bugged it with electronic devices, and once the DEA had identifed the smugglers' contacts, swooped down and arrested them all.  In another incident, Border Patrol cameras spotted three men exiting a van and walking across the border.  They called the RCMP and the Mounties caught the three men, who were carrying diamonds, $100,000 cash and some 41 handguns.  We picked up the van and its driver.\n\nAnd the one terrorist who tried the border here thought a sleepy ferry crossing was just the ticket.  He fooled nobody and was arrested after a short chase.  (This was that Ressam character.)  He is still in prison.\n\nBefore 9/11 the United States had been working toward borders that were open to most of the world.  We were even letting people from certain countries like the U.K. come in with basic identification, not even visas.  And of course the borders with Canada and Mexico had been unpatrolled by the military for decades (bases on the border were from older eras, particularly those on the Canadian border).  In the Northeast there are many communities which straddle the border and people think nothing of going from one side to the other.  Customs officials are not too concerned about small purchases by ordinary people, and NAFTA was sweeping away a lot of customs duties among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.\n\nThe only real difficulty with open borders here is the immigration problem with Mexico.  The root of the problem is poverty and it is a regional problem (Mexico faces the same immigration difficulties on her southern border), requiring a regional solution.  However, the Republican Party is traditionally loath to tackle poverty directly - they really are the party of the arrogant rich - and the Democrats rarely have workable solutions (the Marshall Plan is a major exception, and please note that George C. Marshall was not really a  politician).\n\nAs for legal immigrants, I think they deserve some breaks, especially since a new amnesty program for illegals has been mooted.\n\nI haven't said much about terrorists here.  That is because they aren't exploiting the open borders.  The borders may be open, but they are watched and guarded.  No, terrorists are exploiting what isn't carefully watched, and that is "the rules."  Every single one of the 9/11 terrorists, and the previous attackers of the World Trade Center too, had a vaild passport.  All had obtained visas or green cards: where they got away with it was in avoiding the follow-up procedures.  They, and half of all illegal immigrants besides, simply overstayed their visas and ignored the reporting requirements (I remember the government used to pay for TV messages advising aliens that they had to send in their address information every January 1).  And they were allowed to get away with it!  On the border, the government is doing its job.  Once inside the border, the government isn't.\n\nMost of the border security measures being proposed will have the effect of closing the open borders and stifling both trade and tourism, especially casual visits that generate a heck of a lot of money on both sides of either border.  They will not have any effect on terrorists and little on smugglers and illegal immigrants.  Increased vigilance helps, and improving cargo inspection methods will help too.  But we need to be addressing th
719866
it is against the law and should be stopped. it's not the "immigrants" i have a problem with, it's the "illegal" part that bothers me. i'm cool with legal immigration.
548674
Only half in jest,you're entitled to your wrong opinion.seriously, Iraq has\nbeen a big problem for a few years,& we are probably taking a butt  whipping.Vietnam,redux.But I strongly disagree that the border/illegals thing is a non issue.Back in 1986, there was an amnesty declared for all the millions of illegals that had snuck over the border. The arguments back then were similar(with the exception of terrorism).Some things are still true-illegals still take some jobs that americans dont want. But they also take jobs that we can & will do. FYI, reps from the govts of honduras, guatemala and mexico expressed displeasure about our border security & said our policies violated the human & working rights of citizens of these countries. READ THAT LAST SENTENCE AGAIN. Mexican border guards kill guatemalan illegals by the truckload, then mexico complains about US??? IS THIS THE UNITED STATES OR Los Estados Unidos De Mexico y America Central???
349151
You have a point.  The recent arguments about immigration have focused on the border with Mexico.  But immigration can come overland from Canada, as well.  Which means whatever security we really need at airports to prevent terrorists, we also realistically need at every part of every border.  Such a thorough system of electronic search and so on is obviously impractical.  Therefore, are we kidding ourselves that the extra manpower, expense and inconvenience at the airports is serving any useful purpose?  As the questioner points out, it probably never did make much difference, anyway; the original 9/11 gang did not come in through an airport.\n\nSo how do we combat terrorism if these measures are about guaranteed to be ineffective?  It has been said repeatedly that the intelligence community (the spies, if you will) knew a great deal about Osama bit Leaden (I don't use his real name on purpose) before 9/11/2001.  They warned their bosses, including the president, who played it his way.  You gotta wonder if he didn't like the idea of an excuse to put restrictive measures on airports and the various other compromises to our freedom we have accepted under the "homeland security" rubric.  (Love the tee shirt with a picture of several old Indian warriors!)  \n\nFolks, our borders are too long, and with modern transportation, too open to everyone and anyone, for us to even try to stem the flow.  Why not say come; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.  If you come in peace, and are willing to work hard to make your way here, come.  If you do not behave well, we will send you home.
775775
Immigration is not an issue but ILLEGAL immigration certainly is... I agree with what you say but what you failed to say is these illegal aliens are more dangerous to middle-class Americans that al qaeda could ever be...the difference is blowing up a few thousand or killing the future of a whole country & it's citizens!
513340
The only problem with military border patrol is it will create hostility just like the Gaza strip.Picture tanks and armed soldiers.What we should is get more qualified patrol officers and as far as katrina we had fema and they failed them the a$$holes tax dollars gone to funerals.But you make a Great debate they may do a better job then the people we pay to do these jobs now.
701960
Immigration is not the problem. The problem is illegal immigration, ie people who sneak across the border illegally. Think about it: the very first thing they do when they get here is break the law. They refuse to learn our language or assimilate into our culture. They don't pay into the tax system, but they sure reap the benefits.\n\nWhen my great grandparents came to the US, they waited at Ellis Island until they were permitted entry. They spoke Yiddish only when they didn't want their children to know what they were saying. They learned to become Americans, and expected no special treatment.
782951
Bravo Dave....When Mr. Reagon said those immortal words, the whole world respected our government, and what we stood for.  Now-not so much as a "security issue", but as a "political issue" our government wants to secure the Mexico/USA border.  Why has no money be allocated for a Canada/USA border?  Isn't Canada where they recently broke up a terrorists cell?
848501
What are you talking about?  Our borders leak live a sieve.  You might be aware that we have a little illegal alien problem?  You might have heard that Homeland Security says our borders are out of control?
892977
I think I like this kind of talk\nBottom line: The issue may come down to what one veteran pollster called "sequencing" -- where voters want the government to demonstrate that it's serious about reducing illegal immigration before legalizing 12 million people. That would mean first controlling the border and creating a tamper-proof citizenship card so that employers who hire illegal workers can be prosecuted then assembling a legalization plan.  \n\nI could definitely live with this.Thanks for the great information\nIn the words of that great sage Yogi Berra(not sure of the spelling)\n"It ain't over till its over"
993596
I think you mean "whats the problem with the government closing the border.".I think thats one think almost all agree on.
489552
Its already getting across the Borders into our Country. The gangs and roving band of thugs that have freedom to roam and rampage are coming across when ever they want. They run drugs, people and what ever contraband they want. The Border Patrol is a joke, because there is NEVER enough people to police the border. A few hundred people for 4000 miles of border? LETS GET REAL!  One person for a hundred miles of border aint gonna cut it.  Cameras and sensors record them coming over, but, it doesnt matter, they do what they want.\n\nImmagration is a joke, and the joke is making us look bad. \nUntil the Government takes an active stand, (and they wont, because they know which way the wind blows for votes), we will be a free border with a few sent back for the Media.\n\nJesse
361331
The immigration issue confronting the U.S. right now has nothing to do with Americans getting along with Mexicans.  The issue is wether or not to allow illegal immigrants to sstay in the U.S. and how we should defend our borders against illegals.
583166
I think the sporadic fence and remote sensors, increased border patrol and training and technology to help them do their job, coupled with drone aircraft is the way to go.  That is what is being discussed, but we have to make sure it is seriously implemented. \n\nSince concerns about border patrol are stalling immigration reforms including legalizing the bulk of current illegals, Bush is probably going to put National Guard on the borders until the other measures (whatever they end up being) go into effect.  He really wants part of his legacy in office to be the legalization of qualified current illegal immigrants and the creation of additional future legal immigration (on top of our current rate of legal immigration) through a guest worker program.\n\nI have some concerns about the manner in which the guest worker program will be implemented. (How do we make sure these new temporary workers leave when it is time? Will their employers pay health benefits and impact fees to schools to cover the extra burdon?) However, if the border is really secure and we make the guest worker program work like it is supposed to, I am generally ok with Bush's plan.\n\nKYRealEstateGuy, of course it is about terrorism. One of the 9/11 terrorists came across the border illegally.  After 9/11 and with the middle east rhetoric we can't afford an unscreened flood of who-knows-who across our border.  The President's plan intends to INCREASE legal immigration from Mexico to the extent other countries are accusing us of favoritism (no joke).\n\nFor me the border security is the most important piece.
403057
Discover problem: illegal immigration cross over US boarders.\n\nSolution: Hire 6000 patrol officers to guard a 1500-mile border. Build a 500-mile chain link fence.\n\nProblem not solved. Charities now helping illegal immigrants cross over.\n\nNew solution: Increase to 14000 patrol officers. Offer 4-star holding-cells with welcome party to immigrants that make it over. Raise budget for war in Iraq. Hold party for other laws piggy-backing the immigration laws.\n\nProblem still not solved.\n\nNew solution: Legalize red-neck hunting of illegal immigrants.\n\nProblem solved.