Why some legal and illegal immigrants did go to work today? I'm sure you have great arguments and better ideas
594476
i don't think a protest is necessarily productive. remember the protest against the war in Iraq? that didn't stop Bush did it? i went to work today, but i need to pay my rent. and besides i love the fact the half my check goes to uncle sam anyway, why would i pass up an opportunity to give up more of my money?
572279
Finally a question worth asking, i think we should try it and actually find out. without us there would be no work or stores for the illegals to go into. so what it comes down to is still the illegals need us more than we need them.
486968
No, it did not change my mind. Most who protested are illegals (many were not) and by protesting and leaving the job for a day they thumbed their noses at the very people who gave them jobs (illegally or not, they were given jobs). Biting the hand that feeds you to use a cliche.  Also, they are here ILLEGALLY, that means they are in violation of our laws. I commend those who came here legally and fought long and hard for their citizenship, so we are now just to hand it over because they are protesting? What about all those people who have studied and worked hard to become citizens?  What a slap in their face.
210857
Ditto to hobbit.  If it's worth it enough, you'll do it right. You're welcomed to come, but do it legally. You are not above the law. You cannot come here illegally and expect us to look the other way "because you're only here to work hard at the jobs no one else wants," And then turn around and demand a living wage or unionize to bully your way to a better salary like the farmworkers and the hotelworkers have done. Do you want to be above the law? Than you can't expect the law to be on your side when it would work to your benefit.
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.
127086
Legal immigration is moving to this country by filling out the proper paperwork and being given permission to live here. Illegal immigration means entering or staying in the country illegally.\n\nNow, with regards to the economic impact. Illegal immigrants DO do work that Americans refuse to do. And that is because of the wages. Say Americans picked oranges and had to be paid $15 per hour plus medical plus benefits. Americans would be lined up outside the door to get those jobs, right? Are you willing to pay $10 or $15 for a quart of orange juice to cover those wages and benefits? I think I know the answer to that one. So, to keep your quart of orange juice at $3, orange growers have to pay illegals 2 or 3 bucks an hour to do the work.\n\nHaving "fair pay that allows economic participation home,food,clothing,auto,health care,checking and savings accounts etc" sounds all well and good, and I think MOST Americans would be in favor of that if it were feasible. You wanna pay $15 for your McDonald's combo meal? No? Then guess what, people get paid minimum wage. You wanna pay $20 for a pound of meat? No? That's why stockers and tellers get around minimum wage.\n\nMOST of the people in those jobs (tellers, fast food, etc.) tend to be teens and people in their early 20s. Do you know why? Because they don't have any experience doing anything else! Why SHOULD they have everything handed to them on a silver platter? They are unproven as employees. After a couple of years, most move on to a little better jobs with a little better pay. They prove themselves there and move on to something bigger and better.\n\nGuess what? That is the way of the world ... always has and always will. Some people don't make a decent living because they do not prepare themselves to be able to earn a decent living.\n\nWhen I got married in 1989, I worked full time and netted $110 per week. $440 per year. $5280 per year. And I worked my a$$ off for it. I chose not to go to college, but I spent ten years in the military getting skills. I never made more than $25,000 in any year. I got off of active duty and was offered a job making over a hundred grand per year almost immediately. I had sh!tty pay for a decade, but there was a payoff - and that is right now.\n\nDon't be angry at the "cheap bastards trying to play capitolist" (and it is captilalist, not capitolist). Capitalism is all about the law of supply and demand. If the supply (the workers) will work for minimum wage (the demand) why SHOULD they be paid any more? If they don't like it, they should prepare themselves for a better job.
518536
I 100% agree with you. this somewhat also pertains to a question i just asked... in fact it compliments my question quite nicely. you have some good ideas and if any of you find so fit, you can answer my newest question. you guys might find it worth the intellectual toil hehehe! yeah, I had a great day. it was surprizingly quiet and peaceful, nice sunny day up here, and the Mexicans in my dorm room didnt even seem to care!!! they understood the difference between legal and illegal and knew not to support illegal\n immigration, because it would be a slap in the face to everything their parents and grandparents worked for legally.\n\n\n\ngo check out my newest question, I want some good answers!
374172
This whole issue makes no sense to me.\n\nNow my info is based on my dealings with the construction world, which as you know employs alot of immigrants from south of the border. Now I'm not naive and I know a good many of these so called *legal* immigrants use fake socials and names to get jobs and are in actuality illegal immigrants. Our government is not stupid either but you don't see anybody going to major construction sites and doing immigration status checks now do you? Shutting down major construction projects is not going to win anybody in government very many votes now is it?\n\nIts all politics people. If its currently popular to harass immigrants the government will do so, if its not they turn a blind eye to the issue. Whatever it takes to get themselves re-elected.\n\nNow as to why this is viewed as a huge problem, I just don't see it. \n\nFirst of all the *undermining the economy* statements I see.\n\nEven the truly illegal immigrants pay taxes on the food they eat, they purchase items and pay sales tax, they pay rent, buy gasoline and cigs with high taxes on them, pay utilities, pay tolls, pay insurance, buy automobiles and in cases where they use fake IDs and socials, pay all the applicable payroll related taxes. (and in most cases overpay, you don't think they file returns at the end of the year do you?)\n\nSecondly *they work for extra low wages* The people I know in construction pay industry standard or better wages for their immigrant workers. If anything I hear complaints about how much they have to shell out, usually followed by statements praising the quality of work they get in return.\n\nThirdly *they are taking jobs from hardworking Americans* Honestly, no they aren't. The work they do in construction, while requiring some skill, is mostly back-breaking hard labor. This type of job is considered *beneath* the majority of Americans and lets face it, selling drugs is much easier and while you might be risking a stint of 3 hots and a cot atleast you won't be breaking a sweat! \n\nFourthly, they work, that's more then I can say for some Americans I know. They don't get food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, medicare, social security, or unemployment, they can't, in most cases, afford to have the government look that closely at their status so they get up every morning and go to work!\n\nFifthly, have any of you looked at what it takes to get a green card? Its not a matter of filling out a few forms. There are 3 ways to become a legal immigrant. Sponsorship by an employer, who must prove he/she can't hire anybody else for the job (and even if its true, most employers can't be bothered by all the paperwork) this method also requires the immigrant to hire a lawyer, takes about a year and reams of paperwork (hence the need for a lawyer). Secondly the lottery....yes our government holds a lottery for immigrants who have the equivalent of a HS education to *win* legal status. They give away 50,000 green cards a year to around 8 million lottery applicants. If you don't believe me look up Green Card Lottery. Funny position for a government who currently wants to crack down on illegal immigrants to take don't you think? Enter our lottery and win a chance to live in America! I'm sorry but that seems just alittle cheesy to me. And thirdly marriage to a US citizen. Its just not as simple as people seem to think.\n\nNow I know that there are probally sweat shops employing immigrants at below minimum wage but again which one of you would want that job anyway? Heck, most of the people that I know would rather starve then work at a McDonalds, much less a sweat shop. Besides, if companies want to produce items at  sweat shop wages all they have to do is relocate their factories outside the US...no wait, umm, they are already doing that so again what is the problem?\n\nI'd much rather keep the money here wouldn't you? And as far as the premise that they send money hom
264935
some of the responses angered me. Plenty of Americans get there hands dirty everyday. as this gentlemen asking the question has just proved. but I guess you weren't listening. The fact that Mexicans are doing work for less then base wage is not helping anything. Because there working under the table meaning when they get hurt they go to the hospital and pay nothing factor that it and its much more then base wage. Illegals should be sent back home. My single mother immigrated to this country and did it legal why should she have to pay immigration fee's so you can run across the boarder? Legal means are in place to allow people to enter and live in the united states why are they not used?
721432
Guys...the way this is being described (even in this forum) reminds me of Nazi Germany. Language like "round 'em up". We have to find a safe way for people to extend their visas, get visas and travel between the border if they want to. As someone mentioned, border jumping is scary. And it is not like these are bad or immoral people. They just want to work--build a life for themselves and their familiy at any cost. That is very American if you ask me. Very nobel. Lets do this the right way. If an employer hires an illegal worker we need to really hit them hard. People wouldn't come and stay if they couldn't support themselves. Lets target the places of employment.
443719
Didn't your ancestor's get a chance at a better life by coming to America?  Why can't other humans, yes humans get the same chance?  \n\nI do believe there needs to be a wall or strictor laws for companies who hire illigal immigrants.  \n\nHow about offering a work program where all companies who need low paying labor help, could register in a program at the borders. These companies who profit from the illigal immigrants labor, could shoulder the cost of transportation and fines for permission to work in the United States. Don't you think that the contractors who hire all these illigal immigrants, are making great profits from hiring workers for 2 to 4 dollars an hour and they are actually getting paid by their clients (some of them by our government) more like 10 or more dollars an hour for that same labor. Get upset with these companies who are making a huge profit off the shoulders of these people.  And if some companies say we couldnt afford to pay these people more than pass the cost on to the public.  Then maybe we can actually see the cost of treating hard laborers as humans.\n\n\nWhy are people mad at the illigal immigrants? I would love to see any amount of American's who want to do the hard labor that the illigal labor force is performing at the price that they are being paid. How many Americans would work out in Houston's heat. How many American's would do the pain-staking labor of harvesting our farms? I would love to see all those retarded Americans who say that the illigal immigrants are taking your jobs, to go out to do the harvesting in the fields for one day and then receive the salary that they recieive. How long do you really have to stay in your ignorance. Wake up and smell the coffee!
81600
Hiring illegal immigrants is a cheap & easy way for businesses to get the help they need.  The illegals and the businesses both are taking jobs away from Americans.  If the jobs wern't available to those that cross the borders, they might think twice about risking their lives for nothing.
280729
It is time to deal legally with employer's who use them for cheap labor,shut the door until we can take care of the legal citizen first kick out the ones here illegally lots of work to be done once again your government has failed to perform its function by enforcing the laws on the books!
309241
racist want white supremacy, the people you and I encounter with want illegals out because they think they are avoiding the law, which might be true, but still they don't know of any hardships these people go through when risking their lives to cross the border. I am not making excuses for them but realistically how are they going to point out all illegals? Hard workers who are illegals come here to do what their little prissy hands won't, and they say illegals are taking their jobs. i highly doubt they and their ancesstors sprung from US soil, literally.
678369
Obviuosly you are one of those who think only rich housewives benefit from immigrant labor. Agribusiness and a lot of manufacturers in the south rely heavily on illegal immigrants. Why would it not go up? I'm surprised it didn't go up more, but I guess the big guys waited to see what the backlash was.
533892
if we didn't have illegal immigrants in this country working for such low wages, the economy would never survive. i doubt many american citizens would get down on their hands and knees to do all the dirty work that illegal immigrants do. if all of them in america decided to strike, we'd probably all go into inflation by the end of the week.
684198
lets be honest  yeah the American citizens would work them but only the white lazy crackheads. They would work these jobs but not as good as illegals do because they know if they make a mistake in that specific job they can get fired and they can't afford that. They have kids in their countries. So they work hard to keep their employers happy. Do you really think a us citizen would tolerate cleaning shit, working 10 hours in the sun as a gardener. no because they're citizens and they have opportunities.Just Analise things. No one would do the jobs better than an immigrant.And you said it they wouldn't take shit from their employers. Right? So they would eventually get tired of cleaning shit and they would eventually find themselves quitting. Why haven't i seen citizens doing these jobs right now? They don't want to. They r lazy and most try to find easy jobs. Increase in the wages maybe but remember threes bitchy people that expect you to do the jobs right. No matter how much they pay these citizensthey wouldn't tolerate this.They can never do these jobs as good as illegals.if an illegal can find a job so can a citizen but threes so many unemployed because they don't give it as much time to look for a job that illegal aliens. Just face it the economy would slowly deteriorate.