Illegal immigrants, good or bad for our country?
925225
Bad for our country.  They may earn $5 an hour, under the table, and suck thousands in welfare and free medical care.
528785
Contrary to popular belief, our American laws are not the ultimate guide of morality. The laws are created by fallible human beings; thus, the laws are not always just. Simply because our laws say that someone is illegal does not mean that these "illegals" are bad people because they break the law by entering this country to find work. \n\nI keep hearing people say that "I don't mind immigrants. It's the *illegal* ones that I have a problem with." Well, if we handed out visas, then they wouldn't be illegal--would that change people's attitudes? Probably not. They would say that they have ignored the laws and don't deserve to be here. Well, most Americans have broken a law or two in their lives. \n\nI maintain the controversial position that xenophobia fuels the anti-illegal attitude (in most cases).
1030659
Deporting and stopping illegal immigration will be great for Mexico actually. It will force the mexicans to change their ways and may be fix the problems of pollution, corruption in government, and overpopulation. They could become a normal country or another canada. then I would be in favor of some kind of open-border North american union thing.\nOr mexicans can live in the same hellhole they always were in.\n\nIllegal immigrants our loyal to Mexico and they made it clear. Saying things like "STOLEN CONTINENTS!" even though their ancestors were spanish (EUROPEANS) too. Also, mexicans' ancestors never lived in North america, the north american indians lived there.\n\nillegal Mexicans wave Mexican flags to basically say "we hate america and are loyal to Mexico, we're just here for the money and to leach off of your system!"\n\nIt is time for an Abraham Lincoln of mexico to rise up and heal central america and Mexico. Someone to end corruption. Stop illegals and yet at the same time get closer ties witht he USA.\n\n"I think there are alot of good men already in Mexico, I find it sad that you have never ventured there to find out. You'd have to get off your high horse first."\n\nreally? then why is there still a high crime rate, corruption in government, etc.. in Mexico? Where are these good politians in mexico you are talking about?\n\n"Why didn't those good men ( our founding fathers ) stay home and work to better their own country."\n\nActually, their colonies were apart of their country! New england belonged to Great Britian. So when they "immigrated" there they were actually still in their country and were thus trying to imrpove it.\n\n" USA didn't have to go over sea to find a country to help hell we drive there in a day . Only if Mexico had lots of oil..."\n\nRiiight. Actually the whole Middle East is sitting on oil. We didn't take any oil from Iraq (proven already). Explain why the oil prices are so high? High oil prices don't do any goood to USA.\nand lol, Mexico sits on TONS OF OIL! They supply USA with tons of it already. That is actually what causes a lot of their corruption to, if we can find an alternative source (Ethanol or hydrogen) then Mexico can't rely on rich Oil anymore!
267056
ok, first of all, americans didnt let people enter US as an illegal immigrant..its a matter of cases base on what they did here thats why they been called illegal. its not about they're bad people.. it might be one of the many reasons is like overstayin visa-holder, crossin to border to border or papers been rebuked etc.etc.with regards on your question, it ever there will be a mass amnesty or mass deportation. it surely affect the US economy in a good way and in a bad way.. if the goverment itslf do sumthin bout it by givin this illegal a chance to be legal here then for sure it help alot in the ecomony by first payin the taxes! coz these people work hard here and they make more money too.
988095
I have wondered this same thing many times.  The illegal immigrant supporters always say these things, "Well, there are lots of American citizens on welfare!" and " American citizens break laws, too." and "Lots of American citizens are in jail."  "Sometimes American citizens steal SSNs."  "Sometimes American citizens drive without licenses or insurance."  What these questioners don't seem able to grasp is that, yes, we have bad American citizens, too, but the big difference is that they are AMERICAN citizens, meaning they ARE our problem and so we have to deal with them with our systems and our tax dollars.  However, illegal immigrants are NOT our legal problems - they are legal residents of their own home countries and only those countries should have to deal with them and their problems.  We should not have to pay for illegal immigrants' children attending our tax-paid schools, and we should not have to pay for their medical care when they go to the ERs of our hospitals.  They should not even be here and every time they are discovered via arriving at ERs, applying for social services, registering their children in schools, applying for jobs, etc., they should be immediately arrested and they and their families who are also illegally in the USA should be deported immediately, no questions asked and no consideration, whatsoever.
266923
I don't think so. Whose gonna do the unwanted jobs then? Easy for some people to say yes but they wouldn't dare do the jobs these people do. Did you ever think that some of these people came here legally to be able to support their families but majority of them ended up being abused by their employers so they ended up illegals? I have heard a lot of stories and verified them. Some of the bad things that happened to them were done by by our fellow Americans and you talk of having electric fences? What's the matter with you? I bet your ancestors would love to hear your comments when they came here as immigrants too. If they'd have known what the future generation would be maybe they would have aborted you.
83728
The only way that America is growing is through immigration. If it weren't for immigration, we'd have a zero or negative population growth.  Our country is graying rapidly--many older people and fewer young.  Without more younger workers, this country will not be in good shape in a few years.  I believe that immigration is good, necessary and as a country we should be thankful that people choose to come here.  People bring labor, brains and so much more.  As far as "legal" goes, it is always preferred that people do things legally, however, rules & laws change according to society's needs.  Perhaps the best answer here is to welcome the immigrant and change the rules as to what is legal/illegal.
1080908
Immigrants are, I hope, "LEGAL Immigrants".   ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS could be defined as :\n\nWEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!!  (WMD)\n\nDestroy our economy(tax burden), our health (disease), health systems (hospital closings), schools (over populated), prisons(criminals), crime rate(increase due to gangs, drugs, other illegal activity), neighborhoods (overcrowded apts, and houses, destruction of property, trash), wages (lower our wages), culture(by trying to make Spanish our 2nd language), our heritage (trying to claim land we WON in war), and on and on and on!!
462940
I would say that if an illegal immigrant commits a serious crime (rape, murder, stealing, vandalism, etc) they should be sent home. But for those that are not causing a problem, we should not punish them. They are an asset.
662144
i think immigration is great for our country, but the problem with ILLEGAL immigrants is that they don't pay taxes, but still use public services. that really sucks. as far as im concerned, if they really wanted to be here they would\n1.apply for citizenship\n2.learn our language\n3.become a part of society\nand for all you people who think everyone is just pissed at the mexicans, i don't like illegal aliens from ANY country. immigrants from every country are overstaying their visas, people just tend to focus more on the mexicans because there are more of them than others
734469
Illegal Immigration is making the LEGAL immigrants look bad.  Everyone should fight illegal immigration and encourage legal immigration.  Even if that means making legal immigration a little easier, and being WAY harder on illegal immigrants.
609819
Each and everyone of us is here because our ancestors were looking for a better life. But what people don't remember is that there has always been a limit as to how many immigrants are allowed in. Remember Stanton Island and what people went through to get here, some were even turned away.So it isn't that immigration is bad or coming to America for a better life is bad, but sneaking over the border is what is bad. I am an ex-Maytag worker, the factory moved to Mexico. America is always trying to fight for the underdog and all the while we are becoming the underdog and then who will fight for us. Our jobs are going to Mexico and Mexicans are still coming and taking more jobs. I would like to know whos Idea it was to say that they are taking jobs away that people don't want, because I wanted my job.
908150
The illegals being here in itself is not that big of a problem.  What makes it so bad is that they are depressing wages and therefore lowering the standard of living for everyone else.  Think about it --American workers used to be able to make a living wage performing construction and manufacturing jobs.   Now illegals take those jobs for less money than a American worker can work for.  The reason is because the illegals live 6 - 10 people in one house and are just used to a lower standard of living.  The real problem is those people who hire the illegals.  If they stopped hiring them, they would stop coming.  Ask any worker in the US and they will tell you that their expenses have increased way faster than their wages have over the last 10 years.  I know this is a long and complicated answer but illegal immigration is mostly an economic problem, not so much a crime or social problem.  I like Mexicans I just get sick of them taking Americans jobs away!  Americans cannot afford to work for $5 an hour -- not unless we move 10 people into a small apartment like the Mexicans.
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!
613977
I agree that immigrants help make the United States a good place to live.  I don't agree that there should be amnesty for those who came here illegally.  \n\nThe immigrants currently in the U.S. who have either applied for citizenship or have received working visas deserve to be here and should have the same rights as other American citizens.  Those who chose to skirt the legal means of entering the United States deserve to be and should be deported, no matter what contributions they have made to our society.  When you break a law, you should have to pay the consequences.\n\nAlthough some illegal immigrants are making substantial contributions to the American way of life, most take advantage of our health & welfare systems meant for citizens of this country and drain funds away from those that really need and deserve them.  \n\nThis immigration problem is with all ethnic groups, not just those from Mexico as some answers here would make you believe.
464653
Pros, The illegal immigrants will be treated better and be able to drive legally with insurance. Hopefully less use of false documentation and identity fraud. For them they are rewarded for their struggles to come here, which is not a pro for American Citizens.\n\nCons, We will entice people from all around the world to disregard our immigration policies. Multiples of illegals here that may be a risk either criminally or for National Sercurity reasons will be given a free pass to come and go freely. (The first World Trade bomber was given amnesty in the 80s and flew back to Afghanistan to learn how to make bombs.) Our social systems will be strained further as they feel more capable of using the system and a chain reaction on those displaced from the immigration. \n\nAlso, the employers who are enjoy low wages and no fear of litigation or workers comp would lose all benefits of hiring illegal workers.
334066
The final immigration bill will be a good one if it finds a way for all immigrants who are here now to stay legally and all who want to come here, to come here legally, with this provision: they must want to build a good, decent life for themselves and their families and must be willing to obey the laws. We can all live together. We've had a lot of experience at it. There will always be racism and human rights violations from some sources, but the good people, immigrants as well as citizens, will fight them and beat them.