Illegal Immigration

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/24/immigration.protest.ap/index.html

I guess there are some bill in Congress right now that would, if passed, effectively make it illegal to be an illegal alien in the US. First, I wonder why we even need these bills, but regardless, I support them (in theory, I don't know all the details). I have nothing against Mexicans or hispanics, or immigrants in general, but I don't think we as a country should allow illegal immigrants to stay. That's just common sense. It amazes me that this administration who talks so big about national security seems to not want to seal our incredibly porous southern border. Talk about an Achellies heel. Not only that, but illegal labor is bad for America, as far as wages and standard of living go.

Another thing that bugs me...when I read this article, I see bits about people waving the Mexican flag, then talking about how great the USA is. Well, which is it? If you want to talk about how great the USA is, wave an American flag. We aren't Mexicans. Yeah, we're a "melting pot" (supposedly), and no you don't have to give up your heritage, but you should be consistent. If you want to come to America and "live the American dream" you have to become an American. Legally. Period.

 

Quote, T. Roosevelt 1907:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

 

What has changed recently?

The immigration situation has been pretty much the same for a long while and the country has become dependant on illegal immigrant labour. Why is immigration reform need so badly now? The jobs that have been disapearing aren't going to the Mexican, they are going across the ocean.

I suspect that the recent furor over immigration is driven by the upcomming election. (I assume that Forumers are motivated by other considerations.) The manufactured perception of impending disaster is a good election tactic for both parties.

 

Good analysis, Mike

Peace and love

 

recent furor? Where have you been the past year and a half or two? There is always an upcomming election...

 

Everyone bitches about immigration and nothing has been done for years. Complain and do nothing has worked for a long time. Has anything happened that makes you think change is needed?

 

Well they say its for tighter national security to make all these quote changes but yeah, its trash! Looks good but means nothing.

 

Well, when you have on one hand, a president saying we need to crack down hard on terrorism, to the point of spying illegally on americans and other attacks on civil liberties, and have on the other hand 5000 or so illegals streaming across the border every day, you have a problem. Yes, it has been a problem since 9-11, not an impending disaster (maybe, if one is a successful terrorist) but definitely a growing problem. And whether you believe in the official 9-11 story, you have to recognize the context has changed for the average american, who is now quite concerned by terrorism. Add to that the job situation (illegals do drive down wages) and you really do see a need to address this issue.

 

I can see comming down harder on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers,but making illegal immigrants felons is too much and it's this part that's sparking most of the protests. Also if passed,one of these laws will come after the fact. There are already about 11 million illegals in America. If that law passes then we will have 11 million new felons walking around in America. What are they supposed to do? Sneak back across the border to avoid jail?

 

what does that matter?

There is a problem...and it needs to be addressed.

 

You are all illegal immigrants and did your ancestors speak native? I think not, they were the Mexicans of today. If the natives were against illegal immigrants none of you would be here today.

But, that is beside the point I support legal immigration.

 

my school walkout today because of that bill..........i didn't go 2 school but i saw it in tv.TOMORROW THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG PROTEST HERE IN LA...

 

this should be in the protest forum, as there are protests being planned in dc, boston and who else knows what cities for monday the 27th.... !! try to find out and act!

 

By making illegal immigrants felons I have a feeling that Mexican-Americans,U.S born Latinos in general and other people who may "look Mexican" may end up getting harrassed by whoever is going to be in charge of capturing these "felons". They should have just kept the focus on the employers.

 

your basic answers to these questions lay in upstate NY...where you are treated as a felon when stopped by cops and are of non american origin... immigration is immediately called and you are held til they deem you legal or non legal,,, if non legal they may hold you in immigration jail or if you have no criminal record they will give you a court date,,,(a frikkin joke ) whereby they will review your status etc.. none ever show...

immigration can also go into any work place or home and raid and then the folks go to immigration jail til they are shipped back to whichever country the companies that are using illegals reeive a giant size fine and court dates as well and are left hung out to dry,,, ,, the one major problem with all this is fake ids and soc sec cards are pretty easily had and even immigration ppl cannot tell if they are legal or no,,,,..

sadly if this is what these new bills are trying to do,,, model it after NY then it will also be a huge failure,,, cuz this is by no means a good method,,,, too much BS,, too much time and entirely too much $$$ spent on stupid piddly bureaucratic bullshit.. ya end up with split family , places with no employees, and ya need lots of extra jail cells meanin new jails need to be built etc...

 

Group says immigrants cost Americans low-wage jobs


Jared Bernstein, a low-wage labor market expert with the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute, agreed with Camarota that there is no labor shortage in the low-wage sector. "We all agree with that," he said.

But he disagreed with the notion that competition between native and immigrant workers may be hurting Americans. "I think the problem is more insufficient job creation than it is immigrant competition," Bernstein said Wednesday. "What we have here is an underperforming labor market for all comers."

Camarota acknowledged that the Census data don't mean that every job taken by an immigrant means a job lost for a native.

In fact, the Census Bureau in a report earlier this week found that Hispanics in the United States are opening businesses three times as fast as the national average.

Cecilia Munoz, vice president of the National Council of La Raza, said the Center for Immigration Studies report fails to take into account the "potent economic force" that immigrants represent.

"They have the effect of creating jobs by virtue of their hard work in this country," she said.

Bernstein said low-skilled U.S. workers could benefit from an immigration legalization program.

"Bringing undocumented workers out of the shadows and under the umbrella of labor protections, including minimum wage, overtime and perhaps union coverage, should help diminish their exploitation and raise the competitive playing field for all workers," he said.

LINK

 

the bigger problem is capitalism.


What do illegal immigrants cost America?

 

IF the natives were aghainst illegal immigration.... Well, I doubt that would have done shit to stop conquest.

 

Depends how you mean that.. The government or the people?

 

Both.