Do you honestly believe that if illegals were to be given amnesty that>?
596354
The problem is that the legalization elements have been all entwined in the guest worker program which is a really bad program.  One Senator ran projections of how many poor immigrants would come here under the program (on TOP of the current rate of immigration and on TOP of the current illegal immigrants) and he came up with 185 million to 217 million poor immigrants in the next 20 years.  Even California Senators Boxer and Feinstein who have been pushing for legalization as their main goal in the program voted against this element of the program. (They lost.)\n\nCan  your school and neighborhood fit and support that many poor immigrants?  Mine can't. Do you see that many jobs around? I don't.  This is a big business idea to keep wages depressed for unskilled and semi skilled labor into the indefinite future.\n\nIf the border is truly secured, I want to deport felons and want illegal immigrants to actively start learning English as a condition of legalization.  However, as you say, they are already here.  The problem is that if you say you want legalization people now say 'I want the guest worker program' and most of them don't have a clue what is in it.\n\nIf there is a way to frame the bill during conference into qualified illegal legalization plus MAJOR border security, I would be in favor of it.  To tell the truth, though, I'd rather have no bill at all than the Senate Bill in its current form.
312754
No not yet unfortunately, i hope they pass that because these illegals are causing this country money and some might say no they are not, but the way things are going it definitely will.  Either come in legally or go away!
250336
the answer is definately ignorance and a lack of political will to resolve once and for all to do anything serious about this, there is only one answer to this problem.. AMNESTY FOR ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS...you think not? do you how much it would cost to deport over 11 million people??? at least if we make them all legal they'll pay taxes, they will have their rights, they wont have to be left at the mercy of any abusive employers, they'll be free to seach for another job if they wish, they wont have to live in fear...that's the whole point of America, when u get down to it, America is about "freedom from fear" and yes, these people will LOVE AMERICA and this grand union that it is, and the second thing that needs to be done  is a new "great wave" of immigrants, lets stir this grand melting pot a bit more and inject some new and fresh blood into this great people, the population is aging and if we set out a program to double the population in say 40 years, what a grand and mighty union this America this will be!! imagine 600 million Americans! innovating, young, vibrant and alive!! God Bless America!!
1096344
NO!!\nAmnesty will only encourage future illegal immigration. THink.. If those people see that we give amnesty to illegals, then they too will think they can come here and get amnesty in the future as well. Your stealing a car example is dead on. Amnesty is no better then releasing all prisoners because they have been in there for a long time.
515953
No.  We were both prior to this travesty.  It's obvious politicians from both sides are just trying to win votes from the immigrants, both legal and illegal.  \n\nWe have always accepted, if not always been welcoming to, legal immigrants.  I think it's a severe miscarriage of justice to grant amnesty to 11,000,000 law breakers.  It makes a mockery of the effort the legal immigrants put into earning their citizenship.\n\nAnd why is it incumbent upon us to accept these illegals? Have you familiarized yourself with Mexico's laws? They have made it illegal for anyone not a native of Mexico to have a job there.  What do you think the reaction would be if the US did the same thing?\n\nBy the way, is Mrs. Jeb Bush related to El Presidente Fox? It's a rumor I heard, but don't know if it's true.  (Serious question, not an accusation or statement of fact.)
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.
659480
5. Impact of amnesty proposals on Illegal Alien numbers \nhttp://www.theamericanresistance.com/ref...\n\nOn January 9, 2004, President Bush proposed a guest worker program- A thinly veiled amnesty for illegal aliens.\n\nA February 29, 2004, Fox News article subsequently stated that from 50 percent to 90 percent of illegal aliens apprehended claimed they were coming here for the "amnesty" (their words). \nOne Border Patrol officer stated that "They believe that they are only responding to an invitation."\n\nAlthough correlation does not necessarily imply causation, it seems reasonable to presume a relatively modest 25 percent increase in illegal aliens starting January 15, 2004, through the rest of the year as a result of the "guest worker" proposal. \nThis 25 percent is a conservative estimate of the increased flow of illegal aliens into the U.S. as a result of President Bush's amnesty proposal. \n\nIn fact, official Border Patrol apprehension statistics show that total 2004 apprehensions as of June 30, 2004 represent \nA 190 PERCENT INCREASE over total 2003 apprehensions.\n\nShort Answer - No It Is NOT A Wise Decision \nTo Grant "AMNESTY" Or "GUEST WORKER PROGRAMS" \nThe Result Will INCREASE The Amount Of ILLEGAL Aliens Entering Our Nation
720144
According to the Senate, they don't need amnesty. The Senate just passed an Illegal Immigration (Amnesty) Bill that stated that illegal aliens that pay into the Social Security system are ENTITLED to collect benefits!!\n\nHere are some problems with the bill the Senate passed:\n\n1) It grants amnesty. Use whatever words you want, but the end result is that most illegals don't even have to leave the US and they can eventually get citizenship. Whatever you want to say, it is amnesty.\n\n2) Illegal aliens only have to pay back income taxes on 3 out of the last 5 years!! Hell, let me not pay taxes for 5 years then only have to pay for 3 of them. An AMERICAN CITIZEN risks being put in PRISON for this - yet the Senate voted to allow it for illegals.\n\n3) Illegal aliens are eligible to receive Social Security benefits with SURVIVOR BENEFITS if they paid into the Social Security system. Never mind that ANY SSN an illegal has is either fraudulant or being used fraudulently. Never mind that an AMERICAN CITIZEN is not allowed - by law - to profit from a crime he or she committed. Never mind that identity theft is a felony that can land you in jail for many years. The Senate said illegal aliens have the RIGHT to do all of the above!! OUTRAGEOUS!!\n\n4) The Senate version of illegal immigration "reform" REQUIRES the UNITED STATES to consult MEXICO if we build a fence on our own land!!\n\nHow does the liberal media portray this information? Try this from the AP:\n\n"The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally."\n\nThe bill passed the Senate with a 62-36 vote. Below is a list of the 62 Senators who voted against America's security and ability to control our own borders. If one or both of your Senators voted for the bill, write to them and let them know that you WILL NOT FORGET this vote when they come up for re-election. Remind them with a not-so-gentle love tap that they WORK FOR YOU AND NOT FOR VICENTE FOX - who, by the way, is very much in support of the Senate bill. THAT should tell you something.\n\nSENATORS WHO VOTED FOR THE ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY BILL:\n\nAkaka (D-HI)\nBaucus (D-MT)\nBayh (D-IN)\nBennett (R-UT)\nBiden (D-DE)\nBingaman (D-NM)\nBoxer (D-CA)\nBrownback (R-KS)\nCantwell (D-WA)\nCarper (D-DE)\nChafee (R-RI)\nClinton (D-NY)\nColeman (R-MN)\nCollins (R-ME)\nConrad (D-ND)\nCraig (R-ID)\nDayton (D-MN)\nDeWine (R-OH)\nDodd (D-CT)\nDomenici (R-NM)\nDurbin (D-IL)\nFeingold (D-WI)\nFeinstein (D-CA)\nFrist (R-TN)\nGraham (R-SC)\nGregg (R-NH)\nHagel (R-NE)\nHarkin (D-IA)\nInouye (D-HI)\nJeffords (I-VT)\nJohnson (D-SD)\nKennedy (D-MA)\nKerry (D-MA)\nKohl (D-WI)\nLandrieu (D-LA)\nLautenberg (D-NJ)\nLeahy (D-VT)\nLevin (D-MI)\nLieberman (D-CT)\nLincoln (D-AR)\nLugar (R-IN)\nMartinez (R-FL)\nMcCain (R-AZ)\nMcConnell (R-KY)\nMenendez (D-NJ)\nMikulski (D-MD)\nMurkowski (R-AK)\nMurray (D-WA)\nNelson (D-FL)\nObama (D-IL)\nPryor (D-AR)\nReed (D-RI)\nReid (D-NV)\nSarbanes (D-MD)\nSchumer (D-NY)\nSmith (R-OR)\nSnowe (R-ME)\nSpecter (R-PA)\nStevens (R-AK)\nVoinovich (R-OH)\nWarner (R-VA)\nWyden (D-OR)
680882
I'd rather see no bill at all than the Senate bill.  They snuck in a rolling amnesty in a 10 year statute of limitations which would say that anyone who can get here and hide out for 10 years (or forge papers saying they have) will have amnesty. That treats the offense as just 'passing the border' rather than the ongoing pilfering of services they are not entitled to.\n\nIt is dishonest because there was this huge public debate on the amnesty about '5 years' and '2 to 5 years' and 'less than 2 years' yet they sneak this in with no discussion at all.  The Senate bill also gives social security benefits to people who STOLE social security card numbers from others. Any of us who did that would go to jail, not profit from the crime!\n\nI can't even get into all the problems.  The cumulative numbers of amnesty, the 1.5 million person annual agriculture guest worker program and the 200,000 other unskilled guest worker program, when multiplied by the ability to bring in their families has been calculated to add up to an additional 185 to 217 million poor immigrants in the next 20 years ABOVE our current rates and ABOVE illegals currently here.  That is about a 60% increase in the population of the United States.  They put in a cap on how many of those can be made permanent residents in a single year, but all of them and their families would be here using services.\n\nI want them to solve the hard problems, but ONLY if they do it right. \n\nI'd be ok with border security only, then let's figure out the rest.  If the Senate is really not just holding border security hostage for their own pet slave labor program, they should have to approve that sort of law.\n\nComprehensive isn't good if the law sucks.
566565
I am agreeing with you totally. Our borders need to be secured and we should make it where many can be legal citizens faster but not amnesty. amnesty is just going to get more illegals into this country. We have over 500,000 coming into the US a year now illegal from Mexico, if this fu*king president has his way and grants amnesty to these people instead of stopping the flow it is going to increase because they will see that this president doesn't give a fu*k about the American people. With amnesty we will have over a million illegal flooding this country....
584711
I'd definitely support legalization for someone who volunteered for combat service. If they are willing to defend this country, the least we can do is let them live here.\n\nAmnesty for illegals isn't fair, and you know it.  It is a matter of where do we want to put our resources, what do we want to live with having done, how effective would deportation be at the end of the day and at what social cost, and should we at least partly blame our government for letting these people get to the point where this is the only home they have?\n\nI don't know how to get something workable out of the Senate Bill, though. I think we may just need to start over.
581325
I would like to see a CONDITIONAL amnesty given to all the illegals here now. (Assuming we are stopping more from coming in). The conditions ...\n\nThey must learn basic English.\nThey must learn some American history and culture.\nThey must be financially dependent, i.e., either employed or have a financial sponsor.\nThey must swear their allegiance to America and be signed up for the draft. (Within the draft eligibility guidelines)\n\nThey must do this within a time frame, such as 1 year. If they don't, or at least show effort after the time frame, they will be deported. \n\nThis will only work if we protect our borders. If we keep allowing them in, it's just a waste of time!
545255
First of all, do they really think that it will make any difference at all? It won't. In order to actually make a noticible dent in the economy, they would have to hold out a heck of a lot longer than 24 hours...and I just really don't see that happening. Second of all, where do they get off? Nowhere else but in America could someone protest, throw a fit and expect someone to make allowances for the fact that they have, in fact, broken the law. There are legal ways to enter this country, they could have chosen one of them and then there wouldn't be this problem. However, they chose not to obey the laws of this country and, in my opinion, they need to be held accountable for their lawlessness. \n\nIf we allow all these illegal immigrants amnesty, what message does that send to all the immigrants who entered this country legally, who paid their dues and did things according to the rules? Gee, we're sorry we put you through all that because our laws are completely meaningless and we're going to give amnesty to everyone who decided they didn't want to be bothered with the pesky rules? What next, are we going to allow all mass murderers to run free because, hey, if you can break one law, why not all of them. What if all the rapists in every maximum security prison across the country stage a protest demanding their freedom? Why have any rules and laws at all if they can just be arbitrarily changed to exonorate a group of people just because they protest and demand it?\n\nI understand that the people coming here illegally are desperate and in dire circumstances, I don't doubt that at all. However, as someone who grew up in dire circumstances myself (yes, I know what it's like to go to bed hungry for weeks on end, to not have heat in the winter and to face the uncertainty of whether or not you're going to have a roof over your head), I still believe that breaking the law is unacceptable. That doesn't mean that I don't understand the motivation behind it, but it is what it is. After all, we have hundreds of thousands of legal American citizens who are homeless, who are hungry, who are in desperate situations and who are crying for an opportunity to support their families. However, should one of these people choose to rob a bank or sell drugs in an attempt to support their family, we don't see protests in the streets to exonorate them of their crimes. We may understand the motivation behind their actions, but the truth is that they've broken the law, regardless of the reasons/circumstances and in this country, there are consequences for breaking the law. If there aren't, then what's the point of even having a legal system?\n\nCome here legally and I don't have a problem with it. Come here from whatever country, make a life for yourself, send your kids to college, make yourself a millionaire, win the lottery, start a fortune 500 company. I. DON'T. CARE. That's the sort of thing that this country was built on. I, myself, have relatives who immigrated to this country legally and who have been very successful in building their lives and their fortunes. Great for them! Certainly there are those who are racist, but don't make this a racial thing, that's the easy cop-out.
330270
Of course.  A legal has every right and we should support them.\nAn illegal is a criminal by definition.  Go through the process of becoming legitimate or don't come to the U.S.\nGiven the sheer numbers of illegals, it would be impossible to deport them all, but they should pay a fine for breaking the law of the land and they should go through the process of becoming legal.  It would take a line of buses from San Diego to Alaska to haul them all out at onece.  Its just not realistic to ship them all out.  Also, given how involved they are in our economy, our economic system would suffer and be threatened with collapse if that many people were suddenly jerked out of it.
1076378
Your logic is correct.  Giving amnesty to a group of individuals is discrimination against those who have broken other laws.
925296
It should be on a case by case basis.  As long as they have not commited any violent crimes since they have been here, I think they should be granted amnesty.
309729
Of course. Many people say that illegal immigrants are criminals. Well, they will not be criminals if there was a reform.