Is it fair on legal immigrants that illegal should be allowed to stay for free?
437907
Absolutely not - I think if the present illegal immigrants are given amnesty or a cheap or free route to a work visa or legal citizenship, I think all the immigrants who did it the right way should be entitled to some form of reimbursement of the fees that they paid.  Not only did they pay, but they waited the probably almost unendurable amounts of time to be given legal access to the US, either as permanent residents, temporary residents, or even legal citizens.  I would be some choked, if I were them!  Let's hear it from some of these people - how do they feel about this situation?  They went about it the right way and now others are able to bypass the right way and jump ahead of them in the line?  I think those people need to stand up and be heard.  At least, they have a right to march and protest in the USA!
626748
I agree that they should be.   I think its a double standard to even propose giving all of these ILLEGAL immigrants amnesty and let them stay.  Don't get me wrong, I am NOT against immigration, I know our country is founded on that.  However, if we just say , OK forget that you broke the law, you can stay anyway, what does that say to the thousands who came here legally - "You're an idiot for doing it the right way" \n\nCrime is crime. Illegal aliens are criminals and if we are going to give them a pass, why not let all the drug dealers and theives and murderers, etc go free too?\n\nI say round up the illegals and send em back to where they came from!
224176
The secreat word here is ILLEGAL, many have gone by the rules and have came here and I greet them with open arms. Help them anyway I can. But if you are illeagal, then you have commited a crime and need to pay for it.
457184
I agree with you - no illegal immigrant has the "right" to do anything but to be returned to his/her own country. It disgusts me when people compare our ancestors who immigrated here legally with these people who care nothing of our laws, and so have no problem breaking them to enter.  We have immigration policies (they need to be enforced), and people can enter this country through an already established procedure. We should not be made to feel ashamed because we ask others to obey the same laws that every American is asked to obey!
495217
If they are here illegally, they should have no rights.
396432
If people obtain legal documents saying that they will pay taxes to the USA then to me they can do anything they want to as long as it doesn't do anything bad. But if they're here illegally then they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The option to come over here legally is always open but unfortunately some people would rather live in fear than knowing they did something right unlike millions of other people.
272472
Of course not.  If you come to the U.S. illegally you should be deported, prosecuted, or both.  Those protesting for immigrant rights forget that those folks that are here have only one right - to go home or go to prison.  Since when do you get rights when you commit an illegal act?  The only right you have is to a speedy trial.  Instead, those coming to the U.S. illegally are protesting.  It's like you're coming through immigration control at the airport and they won't let you in and so you protest and complain that you don't have the right to stay.  YEAH!  Dude, you're illegal - you don't get to come in!  Those that are protesting are basically arguing that they should be allowed to stay and use our resources (welfare, schools, hospitals, etc.) - even though they're here illegally  I don't get this logic!!\n\nI do believe the U.S. needs to do more to help the Mexican economy but that should not be manifested in an open boarder where Mexicans or others can come into our country illegally and use our resources.  This phenomenon is in part responsible for driving the California economy into the tank.  I can tell you, if it means paying double for fruits in vegetables to have a carefully monitored boarder so those that are coming into our country belong here then I'm willing to pay!
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.
598968
I don't know if I do or not. I'm not against immigrants, I'm just against the ones that insist on being here illegally. As far as I'm concerned, they can stay here if they want, just go through the process to be here legally. Most of us here are here because of immigrants, so we can't really complain about that part of it. Yes, it would provide more jobs for those of us who are citizens but let's be honest here... there aren't a whole lot of citizens who would be willing to do the work that the illegals do. Have you ever tried to help someone who victimizes our welfare system find a job? I have, a few people,and all I got was, 'can't do that, won't do that, ewww, that's not enough money for THAT kind of work.' The people who are on welfare that are honest workers that wouldn't be an issue, but unfortunately I think those people are a minority. Good question!
996785
No, I don't think they should go unchallenged if they want to stay. Now if they want to come for a short visit...( 2 seconds ) then leave, fine. But no. We have our own AMERICAN problems to deal with without them ILLEGALS adding to them. There are AMERICAN children and elders ( who by the way worked hard to pave the way for our generation and generations to come) that are going to bed hungry and having to choose between food and proper medical care while these ILLEGALS are corrupting and taking advantage of the system that should be catering to the above mentioned.  And I am sick to death of having to press #1 on the phone if I want to hear the message in ENGLISH. It should be ENGLISH by default.
1169451
Good question.  I'd like to hear some good reasons why they think it is acceptable too. Personally I don't think there is ANY valid argument that will fly for coming here illegally.  I'll check back.  Thanks for asking.
309729
Of course. Many people say that illegal immigrants are criminals. Well, they will not be criminals if there was a reform.
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.
914573
I will never pay for that! How can I get this through peoples heads? Illegals have no rights here, they are not citizens therefore they have no rights.
454860
I agree with everything you said.  The USA is the "home of the free" but everything isn't free. . .to anyone!  Rather than immigrating to the USA, why not change things in Mexico to be more like the USA if it is so desirable! We've always welcomed foreigners who adhere to our laws and become legal citizens.
163226
While legal immigrants should be afforded these services because we allowed them to be here. Illegal immigrants should not be afforded these rights because they are breaking the law and mostly working under the table which does not put back into the tax pot.\n\n\n\nAs for your first answer, I would say yes, we are all looking at our southern neighbors because those are who are draining these services. Yes, the employer should be held accountable, but I also believe since they broke the law simply but not using legal means to get here,they should be held accountable also. To add, if someone wants respect then respect the law you can be hard working, by you are still disrespecting citizens by not coming her by legal means or better intentions for our country.
173343
Your question is asking about "Illegal" immigration. What people are forgetting or trying ignore is that in this country "Legal" immigration is welcomed,and ok.  "Illegal immigration should be dealt with like any other crime.\nAnd I don't think it is a matter of free speech, because our rights are reserved for the "legal" citizens of this country. I think it is not very smart to be doing something illegal, \nthen making it known that you are doing it. \n\nPeople who are here illegally are breaking the law. There are steps that can be taken to be here legally and they should take them. It may be a difficult process, but as we all know Freedom isn't free, and if you want it bad enough, you should be willing to do what it takes to get it through legal means.\n\nThe protests of illegal people in this country bother me.  What would happen if child molesters decided to protest the laws against child molesting. We would all say, that's crazy! How can they be "in the wrong" and demand the laws be changed so that they can do what they want. I don't think it is right. The best way to resolve the problem is to make it prohibitive for illegal people to be here, and beneficial for legal immigrants to be here. Our laws are there for a reason, America is not a free for all...and if you want to be a part of its citizenry, then you must follow the laws like the rest of the citizens. \n\nWhat gets me is all these people using emotionalism and saying that "human rights" are being violated. How is it a violation of human rights to tell people who entered this country illegally, got jobs, and basically are squatters and cheaters that at long last, YOU MUST DO THE RIGHT THING! \n\nI think they do not understand what the definition of "Human Rights" is. They are not being treated inhumanely, they are actually fortunate. Because they are being treated as any other American Citizen who breaks the law. ACTUALLY they are being treated BETTER than any other American Citizen who breaks the law. How many U.S. citizens do you know, can break the law, admit to it, protest about it....and not be punished unless or until congress decides to re-write the law in an effort to be as fair to THEM as possible. Come on! Just because they took low paying jobs and work hard at them, does not mean that they are free to break the law. And if we allow them to do it, then the country they are so eager to live in will cease to be the country it is supposed to be. \n\nIf what illegal immigrants want to do is to work, raise families, and live in a free society. Then, follow the LEGAL process to do so, learn the language, and the culture, pay your taxes, and become an American the right way!\n\nDon't break the law and then scream victim! You are not victims. The tax payers who support social programs are victims; the people who migrate to this country and become legal citizens are victims. Illegal immigrants are people who made a "CHOICE" to do the WRONG thing, and think they should be excused or rewarded for that choice. I say WAKE UP; take responsibility for your actions, and GET LEGAL or leave.