How would you have 12 million illegal immigrants pay back their debt., and earn citizenship?
595365
Working for less than minimum wage.
399711
We are talking about 11 or 12 million people.  No matter how good our government can be there is no way that we will ever round them up and deport them.  First of all we can not afford to,the cost of sending 12 million people back to where they come from would eat up a lot of taxes.  That does not count having the manpower or facilities to hold them while processing is going on.  The bad thing about a blanket amnesty is that in many cases only the breadwinner of a family is now here, if allowed to stay they most certainly will want to bring their families over here as well.  Yet the only way our government can save face with the problem is to start over with new rules and more manpower to fight the problem and I am afraid that means giving an amnesty to those that are currently here.  They may try to call it a work for citizenship or residence program, however it will be an amnesty program anyway no matter how you look at it.
220469
If I remember correctly from an episode of Lou Dobbs on CNN - in EXCESS OF 30 BILLION Dollars per year!  That's scary!\n\nGoy1012002/Stupidity_of_pride:  Why do you believe that using a fake Soc Sec number and being an illegal, gives you the RIGHT to the same benefits that LEGAL Citizens (Immigrants or not)?  If people would come in the right way, pay taxes with their 'real number', then most all I know would have NO PROBLEM with you or anyone else getting services that 'any othe tax payer would get'.  When you are not paying taxes LEGALLY because you are an Illegal...... you kinda missed the point.  You are entitled to services when you become an American Citizen, not before and not until, I don't care how many taxes you have paid, you aren't documented.  End of story!
500992
I am bothered that people want something for nothing. if you want to be a citizen, then I am supportive of this. \n\nTake the legal route.  do not come to a country illegally and then expect to just be given anything. You have to follow the proper legal channels to become a citizen and then your good.\n\nIf you are paying your taxes on all of your income (including what you getpaid in cash) then wonderful.  if you are not...then your cost of living here is being taken out of my paycheck.\n\nIf you are working with the government to gain rights to stay in this country, then wonderful and I support you.  If you are wanting ti live here, and never become legal...then this is not ok.
424431
It's very simple, you (taxpayer) are their "checkbook"!!!!  They never run out, just raise your taxes!!!\n\nFYI:  $63 billion to take care of "illegal aliens"!!!!  Divide that amount by the number of legal citizens in the U.S.  Think of how rich you'd be!!!
937072
Simple ...we use the guest worker program we already have ... import thousands of people from all over the world who would LOVE to come here and earn a buck or two legally for a specified time, and then go home!!  Since we already have a program that allows for that, why not use it?  No need whatsoever for a comprehensive reform leading to citizenship ...
564963
If you're here, stay and legalize your status, pay taxes and learn English. What's the point in kicking out millions of people that contribute to the economy one way or another, otherwise leave or stay out.
760825
if they want to serve in our army to be citizens, come on and join\n\nMaybe for 3 years in the service, you can be a citizen, i like that, you will pay your debts to your new country and get familiar with american cultures
638868
someonecanbme is correct, the question is how can we stop it.\n\nEvery person for illegal immigration needs to compensate these innocent people who have had their social security numbers and identities stolen by these illegals who invade our country with no care who they hurt. They should have to not only compensate the money lost from their social security accounts after they are zeroed out once the fraud is detected, but every last cent the victims had to pay taking time off work, every cent that went into photocopying documentation, every cent that went towards lawyers and gas driving somewhere to get this mess taken care of, and any other financial expenditure the victim had to cough up. They should also be forced to compensate the victims for the emotional hardships endured. They should have to compensate for the money and time spent trying to straighten out their credit ratings after these illegals have ruined them. They should be forced to compensate these victims for every single hardship related to what these illegals have inflicted upon these people. Currently, the system does not provide any compensation at all and a lot of people are never restored to previctimization status. Oh but these pro-illegals claim that illegal immigration is a victimless crime that hurts no one and that we are whining when we complain. \n\nYou think these illegals care that they are hurting innocent lives? Their loyalty is to Mexico. They proved that during one of the first rallies when they took down the American flag, hung up the Mexican flag, and then hung the American flag upside down underneath it. THAT is how they feel about America. \n\nhttp://michellemalkin.com/archives/004869.htm\n\n\nThen the people who want to appease them pull out the excuses about how people who are not even alive now, and haven't been for hundreds of years, 'stole' the land from the American Indians. Even American politicians are carrying out this traitorous attack on our sovereignty! If this keeps up, the United States of America will become a 3rd world country, just like Mexico! Mexico's problems are not the fault of Americans, but they are becoming our problems because the Mexicans are invading us and bringing their problems with them.\n\nThe illegals make up about 5 % of the work force. The unemployment rate is about 4.5%. Keep in mind that the unemployment rate does NOT represent everyone who is unemployed. It only counts those who are collecting unemployment. Everyone else's plight is ignored. The unemployment rate if everyone was counted would be tremendous. We do NOT have a shortage of labor, we have a large surplus. The more illegals that come in and take our jobs at minimum wage or less (often less) puts more and more Americans out of a job. Most of these Americans are never counted in the unemployment rate if they do not manage to get unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are hard to receive.\n\nIllegals draw welfare by stealing people's social security numbers and identities. That means there are a lot of people being directly hurt by these people as well. Innocent people are having their credit ratings ruined, having IRS problems, and social security problems. If someone who has had their social security number stolen gets married, if either spouse dies or become disabled then they can be denied their benefits. \n\nMy family moved to the US before WWII. Those of my family that didn't make it over got killed by the death camps. Our family assimilated to the American culture. We didn't expect the Americans to change to suit us. The illegal immigrants from Mexico are not civilized like that.\n\nThey not only changed the National Anthem to Spanish, they changed the words. They already burn our flag and hang our flag upside down. They waved the Mexican flag during a lot of their protests. Some schools have stopped hanging the American flag and forbidden students from wearing clothes with any part of the American
467998
Most of the world lives on less than 2 dollars a day. So a immigrant from Mexico can send money back and give an ok life to his or her family.  The minimum wage for US citizens is not a livable wage.  Thus, that's why people are not going to do these jobs.  You can't own a house, have a car, and have a wife and kids on minimum wage, that's why.  Secondly, undocumented people don't get many social services.  What's taking money away from our schools and other things is this war which cost 400 billion dollars.  If undocumented people would be taking this from our economy, that would be about $33,000 each person (12 million undocumented people).  Let me just tell you, you wouldn't see them standing by the Home Depot looking for any type of work then.
910301
That is already an amnesty. If you serve you get your citizenship.
467374
I agree, amnesty and citizenship would be an expensive route.  The argument for having aliens make up a portion of our workforce has always been that they are taking the jobs that others do not want.  Why don't others want these jobs, partially because of the low wages.  As such the majority of Illegal aliens would qualify for government assistance if made citizens.  If all 11 million were to take this option and receive welfare the costs to taxpayers would be phenomenal.\n\nOne Item I would add to your list though is to tighten the rules, prosecute corporations that hire illegal aliens.  Only if the demand is decreased will the flood of immigration slow.
649628
Sounds like a good plan.  There are multitudes of ways to encourage illegals to deport themselves.
740827
Go home until you can become citizens and pay taxes like the rest of us. I am all for LEGAL IMMIGRATION. I want all to be able to better their lives. Just not without making others have to pay for it.!
1071724
I just want to clarify this issue with you. Congress has been considering a program which would give illegal immigrants an 11-year probationary period to gain citizenship and other stuff like learn English. If they fail during those eleven years, they will be deported. End of story. Upon reading a news article, it mentioned that this would be the hardest road to take to gain citizenship (I think it's called the guest worker program).\n\nHowever, I agree with you that illegal immigrants should be behind the "line" as you call it; considering legals should and have a higher status in our society.\n\nAlso take this into account: it is IMPOSSIBLE to deport every single illegal immigrant out of this country (by the way, there are about 12 million illegals not 20 million).\n\nOh, and to the person who posted after me [sashie], if you have been keeping up with the news--in about MAY (like a whole month ago!) the Senate passed a bill that would begin the construction of a 370 mile wall around the US-Mexican border, also adding 500 miles of vehicle barriers. Not only that, but previous to the bill President George Bush put the National Guard on the border. So the government is actually doing lots of stuff to protect the border now...
738880
I am in favour of this - COUNT ME IN!  DEPORT THEM ALL!  NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES, NO COMPROMISES, NO AMNESTY!  Get whatsherface out of the church and ship her over the border asap, and any other illegal aliens as soon as they are found!  \n\nI read in the news recently that the FBI arrested 10,000 criminals in a one week sting - if this can be done, more than 10,000 illegal aliens can also be found and deported every week.  If this is done consistently, yes, we WILL deport ALL of the illegal aliens - no more of this "we can't possibly deport 12 million illegals.  YES, WE CAN!!  To heck with the cost of deportation - if we get busy and consistent with deportation, it won't be long before many will run back across the border out of the USA on their own steam!  If, at the same time, we also hammer ALL companies who hire illegals, even if it means fining them to the point where they have to shut down business, sobeit!!  And, at the same time, shut off ALL access to social benefits such as food stamps, medicaid, illegal children in our schools, etc., believe me, they will start leaving on their own very soon.  \n\nSo, yes, I'm IN FAVOUR!
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!