Your view on the border issues and immigration.?
398838
i am not against immigration just illegal immigration i once said on here this kind of stuff has been going on since the start of time and i was told i didnt know what i was talking about heres a example \n\n:With the onset of hard economic times in the 1870s, other immigrants and European Americans began to compete for the jobs traditionally reserved for the Chinese. With economic competition came dislike and even racial suspicion and hatred. Such feelings were accompanied by anti-Chinese riots and pressure, especially in California, for the exclusion of Chinese immigrants from the United States. The result of this pressure was the Chinese Exclusion Act, passed by Congress in 1882. This Act virtually ended Chinese immigration for nearly a century. \n\n\nCurrently, millions illegal aliens commandeer jobs away from American citizens. If they don't steal those jobs, they depress the wages to the point of legalized slavery. We have an estimated one million illegal alien Chinese in this country (Source: March 2005 Forbes Magazine). At the same time, we outsource jobs to China where a billion people can't wait to make 50 cents an hour. Human smugglers bringing illegals into America make $7 billion annually according to the report. \n\nDo they work the jobs Americans won't do? False! If American doctors were paid $5.00 an hour they wouldn't be working those hospital jobs either. \n\nYou have to ask yourself if you want illegal immigrant doctors working at minimum wage to perform a by-pass heart surgery on you? Would you like an illegal immigrant lawyer defending you in court for $5.00 an hour? How about a $5.00 an hour illegal immigrant college professor teaching your kids calculus? How about an illegal alien truck driver driving down the road at 70 MPH with 80,000 pounds of steel, no ability to read English and a fifth grade education-from Mexico's educational system? \n\nMeanwhile, profits soar for corporations while the middle class of America plummets into worsening unemployment. Will America drop into Third World conditions as economist Paul Roberts predicts? At the current rate of 4.1 million legal and illegal newcomers imported into the United States annually, it's only a matter of time before, we too, manifest conditions of the Third World. You can't drown the labor market with millions of people and expect to keep your wages high when immigrants will undercut you. \n\nThat's why the pay in China or India is less than $10.00 per day. They have 2.4 billion people in those two countries. That's why they live subsistence lives. In time, that reality will manifest itself in America as the middle class vanishes. It's already happening. You need look no further than California as an example of the first Third World State of America. \n\nCall your representatives
497615
Here it is:\n\n Good evening. I have asked for a few minutes of your time to discuss a matter of national importance: the reform of America's immigration system.\n\nThe issue of immigration stirs intense emotions and in recent weeks, Americans have seen those emotions on display. On the streets of major cities, crowds have rallied in support of those in our country illegally. At our southern border, others have organized to stop illegal immigrants from coming in. Across the country, Americans are trying to reconcile these contrasting images.\n\nAnd in Washington, the debate over immigration reform has reached a time of decision. Tonight, I will make it clear where I stand, and where I want to lead our country on this vital issue.\n\nWe must begin by recognizing the problems with our immigration system. For decades, the United States has not been in complete control of its borders. As a result, many who want to work in our economy have been able to sneak across our border and millions have stayed.\n\nOnce here, illegal immigrants live in the shadows of our society. Many use forged documents to get jobs, and that makes it difficult for employers to verify that the workers they hire are legal. Illegal immigration puts pressure on public schools and hospitals, strains state and local budgets, and brings crime to our communities. These are real problems, yet we must remember that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are decent people who work hard, support their families, practice their faith, and lead responsible lives. They are a part of American life but they are beyond the reach and protection of American law.\n\nWe are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We are also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly and fair. So I support comprehensive immigration reform that will accomplish five clear objectives.\n\nFirst, the United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers and terrorists.\n\nI was the governor of a state that has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico. So I know how difficult it is to enforce the border, and how important it is. Since I became president, we have increased funding for border security by 66 percent, and expanded the Border Patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents. The men and women of our Border Patrol are doing a fine job in difficult circumstances, and over the past five years, we have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people entering America illegally.\n\nDespite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we will increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency.\n\nAt the same time, we are launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border.\n\nTraining thousands of new Border Patrol agents and bringing the m
892977
I think I like this kind of talk\nBottom line: The issue may come down to what one veteran pollster called "sequencing" -- where voters want the government to demonstrate that it's serious about reducing illegal immigration before legalizing 12 million people. That would mean first controlling the border and creating a tamper-proof citizenship card so that employers who hire illegal workers can be prosecuted then assembling a legalization plan.  \n\nI could definitely live with this.Thanks for the great information\nIn the words of that great sage Yogi Berra(not sure of the spelling)\n"It ain't over till its over"
606832
That's a lot of questions in one question.  Is this a research project?  Here goes:\n\n1.  Disagree\n\n2.  Caucasian\n\n3.  Citizen\n\n4.  Agree, racism is a part of the problem.  (To anyone who disagrees:  imagine the undocumented workers were English.)\n\n5.  I think our immigration system is a mess, but I can't claim I'd know how to fix it. Two things have to happen.  First, the security at the border has to be improved.  I dislike the fence idea, which will unintentionally come to represent a sort of evil in the same way the Berlin Wall did.  But in the end we have to enforce our borders for security reasons (thousands more border guards, more deportations of illegals, etc.), or else you can't stop terrorists and drug runners crossing over at the same time the genuine workers who want to improve their lives do.  We also need to make employers more accountable for making sure they aren't hiring illegals on a large scale basis.\n     At the same time we buckle down, we need to be humane and sensible.  We need to document the undocumented and make it easier for people to legally come here to do the type of work they do.  If this means a new category of Green Card or Guest Worker passes or whatever, then so be it.  But the people who come here to ply their trades and work honestly, and who are in such high demand, need to made legal.  That's the only way we can sort out the criminals.  In addition, if we give the illegals some sort of legal status, it makes it easier to regulate working conditions and wages so that the overall plight of workers (American and otherwise) isn't hurt by the presence of illegals.\n\nThat's my two cents.  We need to be sensible, but we also need to not be racist and heartless.\n\nAddition:  Hey, I'm in favor of security.  But as far as a wall goes, you'll create a place where poor and desperate people get shot at.  That has a lot to do with civility and humanity.  Do you want to be an America that lives up to the inscription on the Statue of Liberty or a country that perceives anyone that speaks a different language as an "invader"?  The choice is an easy one, I think.
716791
I think a wall should be built only if/when we decide to enforce our own immigration laws otherwise it will not do any good.  It has to be in phases, you build a wall, and then what, amnesty, guest worker programs, what would be next?  Something realistic I hope because some of the solutions Ive seen on here are a little extreme and not going to happen ever, the people who suggest them while claiming to be so smart, really aren't if they think that will be allowed or even lawful.
1107389
I am against illegal immigration and think we need to stop it. I think we need strong border security and enforceable penalties for the employers. If I had that, except for the gang/nasties, though, I'd legalize those here but NOT allow an additional preference to bring in family.  Family would have to come in under existing quotas. Partly I'd do this because we did let these folks get unreasonably settled, and partly I just couldn't face the kind of human tragedy that I am sure would result with mass deportations.  And yes, I think the adults amongst them bought it.  But even so...\n\nHowever, total numbers are key.  I would kill any forward increase in immigration until the border were secure and employer databases were up so that employer sanctions could be enforced. Even then I would want the employers of the new guest workers to pay impact fees for local schools and health care, and would want the numbers of all (including dependents) to be carefully thought through in terms of how they would impact education and health care for our own citizens.
628063
How about the Immigration issue or global warming?\nBoth are highly controversial issues.
127222
I understand how frustrated you may be.  Im glad you made the distinction that you are sick of Illegal immigrants. There are many good immigrants that came to this country and did things legally.  Thats what we need to promote. LEGAL IMMIGRATION. I would like to see the national gaurd put on the borders to stop the madness with illegals coming into this great land illegally.
676513
Illegal immigration. A very serious problem right now. We are being invaded, and for some reason we aren't stopping it. These illegal aliens are draining away at all of the public services that WE PAY TAXES FOR! The citizens of the U.S. pay the taxes, whilst these invaders do not. They are like leeches - and we are doing nothing to peel them off.\n\n1. They get free medical care from American hospitals.\n2. They get free food from various charities!\n\n\nBut, of course, the things that they get are not really free. Maybe for them they are, but someone is paying for them. Someone is paying for these unlawful citizens to abuse the system. The people paying for these undeserving illegal immigrants are the citizens of the United States.\n\nAnother thing - it's absolute idiocy that these invaders are calling the lawful citizens of America racists. Since when does standing up for your country make you a racist? It makes you a patriotic person!  But, in this case, it seems that some mindless sympathizers have fallen for the illegals nonsensical argument. They are actually convinced that they are racists for not supporting these people! But the very people they are supporting are draining away our culture and destroying our economy! It seems that the sympathizers want to kill our country! At the current rate of immigration, the states near the border will become majorly Mexican and will probably start demanding to join a state like Texas or California back into Mexico! If these invaders keep on coming, It will no longer be the United States of America.\n\nIt's absurd that some of the Mexicans believe that this is their country. They say that it has been their homeland for 40,000 years. They say that they are not illegal if it is their land. They tell the law-abiding people to read the history books and find out that it is their land. My history book says that we won Texas and other states from Mexico in a war. It is ours.\n\nHeres another argument that although seems reasonable, has many flaws. Some people believe that illegals are helping our economy by providing cheap labor for employers. This is true, but the money they make is not circulated back into the economic system. It's going back to Mexico. And, as the illegals pay no taxes, they aren't helping much there either. These illegals are not benefiting the system - they are destroying it.\n\n\nHere are my solutions to the problem:\n\n1. Deport illegal aliens as soon as they are found.\n2. Build a wall. The Great Wall helped the Chinese against the Mongolians. The wall that we have to build will help us with the criminal invaders that are the Mexican illegal immigrants.\n3. Talk to Vincente Fox and demand that he stops giving his people pamphlets on how to get in the U.S.A. illegally. It is happening, and it is a huge problem. Vincente Fox is a terrorist!\n4. Punish companies that hire illegal immigrants severely. If the illegals have no incentive to come, they won't come. Simple as that.\n\n\n\nEducation: $22.5 billion\nBilingual Education: $3.3 billion\nAFDC: $2.4 billion\nSSI: $2.9 billion\nSocial Security: $24.8 billion\nHousing Assistance: $2.6 billion\nCriminal Justice: $2.6 billion\nJobs Lost by Americans: $10.8 billion\nOther Programs: $51.4 billion\nFood Stamps: $7 billion\nHealth Care: $1.4 billion\n$131.7 billion annually. More than the War in Iraq has cost us annually. In fact, about twice as much. We've been in Iraq for 3 years. It has cost us about 277,000,000,000. Illegal immigrants have cost us 131,700,000,000 a year. And, that number will rise at the current rate of illegal immigration.\nWar protestors are always complaining that we've spent too much on the war - well, look at how much we've spent on illegal immigrants.
666272
You mention numerous good points. Truth is, illegal immigrants themselves (Mexicans or others) are not the problem. It is the failure of the American Gov. and the American peopele. The gov guys are too busy trying to get reelected and make some $$$$ for themselves and their families. The Messicans are only trying to better their lives ...a human trait.\nAmericans are all skuttling around taking care of paying their bills and making ends meet that they don't participate in the process of creating  security, and standards in gov and their lives to worry about immigration until it maybe is too late.\nHow can any of you, knowing that supposedly voting for what you believe in is going to determine your future, even in the greatest compassion for the poor illegals, condone immigration by only one group in the large, electoral modifying sizes that these people are coming into our country? I love compassion but who will weep for me when there is crime beyond our ability to control it, there is not housing or water or elec. or gasoline or? you name it ..because there are too many people. The maojority (amnystied illegal/not citizens will vote for social welfare programs to feed their families, give them health care etc. For Pete's sake ...these people aren't even citizens and they are demanding things. Wake up and take your country back. Let the gov guys know you're PO and your mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. And then do something about it. Find your own little way to boycott, to not support, to speak of your concerns to your compatriot American brothers and systers. Rise up and DO something. Think about it ...you will figure a way to play your part in protecting our country and way of life from an invasion. Forget the terroists in the Middle East. We have a much bigger problem with this issue here in this country. Just remember ...it's your brother, boyfriend, husband, father that is over in Irag possibly dieing for America and Americans. Think they want to come home to a world of poverty stricken, illegal types who speak a language other than English? By all means be compassionate with others of all races ...but get our nest in oder first ...then we can work on Mexico and other corrupt governments to take care of what is their responsiblity.
1052199
glad you ask me that i think they should secure the border  first and deport all who are here illegal that have broke the laws of the land hell am not getting a free ride .have no problem if they come here legal and don't break our laws .but dam something have to be done about 10 millions peoples coming in .  the schools are over crowded/they have no health care. it go higher/ they don't speak any English.they get here and break all the locals law also /hospital are always full that a problem it just crazy .this is not a race thing god know we are all Americans.it about the sovereignty of this country.
616044
I'm a liberal Democrate and I have to say that we must secure our borders.  The Sheriff of Maricope is doing what the Federal government should be doing.  We must have controll of who comes into the country to remain free.  This doesn't mean throw all the "illegals" who are here now, out, and do not close our borders to legal immigration, but we must stop new "illegals" from gaining entry into our nation.  If you or I break a law, we pay the price, well, so should the people breaking our laws by sneaking over our borders.
228788
i have no problem with imigration as long as it is done legaly.  This country is bulit on immigration.   I feel that illegal immigrants are give to much freedom in this country.  I need a visa to go into most parts of the world and i just can not go illegaly.  If i do i am subject to much more than deportation.   I feel that it should be the same here.  I am part hispanic  (Puerto Rican)  and i take serious issue with lobbist fighting for illgal Mexican and Latin American rights and claming that ther are the views of all Hispanics.  I do not think they should be allowed to get driver licenses, work under the table and all the other issues that sorrond them
328303
immigration. well i am full blooded Mexican American. my father was in Vietnam, grandfathers in world war II, I struggle to get to pay bills. hard to find a decent job. but i manage and tell my daughter how great this country is every day. It angers  me to see Mexican nationals go to the grocery store, pay for there food, complain about sale priced items only to pay with food stamps and then to see them load it up in there escalade, or other brand new car. but yet there plates still show Mexico. they only come to complain about our society. but yet will mooch off it as much as possible. well Monday they are to do a strike. if any one is in position to fire anyone, then get those illegals and people that should remember just where you live. freedom is not free. and my family as well as many other families fought and gave life for this freedom. don't throw that though away just for people who don't deserve it. if you are American citizen, then do your part and go to work. remember where you came from and remember why people want to come to this country. long live the USA
1163790
i don't want to have us look like a police state, and we already have a border patrol, so i say beef up the border patrol , or transfer forces from another Branch somehow.  point is, we need our border patrol to do it, but they need the resources.  also, thanks to any border patrol agents reading, and i would love to see some input from you.
935004
Bravo Patriot... I have noticed this (particularly "defender of the hated") here and in almost all forums.\n\nDid you see the CNN town meeting on "Broken Borders"... the woman defending illegals wouldn't answer a question... she merely ran on in her prepared manifesto covering the standard points: the border crossed us, it's our land, your economy can't survive without our work... blah blah blah.\n\nI'm a Californian, and honestly have had no KNOWN contact with ILLEGAL immigrants of OTHER than Hispanic origin.  My Indian, Fijian, and Russian co-workers all have work-visa's (I'm their supervisor and have to know).  My comments are based on first-hand observation.\n\nYet while in the Navy I lived right on the border in San Ysidro... watched lllegal crossings night and day.  I couldn't report them... HONEST !!  My reports were REQUIRED to be ignored by INS /Border Patrol because my reporting would violate the illegals' rights due to "posse comitatus".\n\nI pay my high California taxes, and while in San Ysidro, my daughter had to go to a school 5 miles away because the school NEXT DOOR was reserved for ESL students !!  An investigation in 1992 found that 85% of those students had PO boxes or false addresses... and further investigation found that those students crossed the border back to mexico each day. On falsely obtained student ID !!\n\n230 students... and at the time, the State said it cost $30,000 per student per year... So that's 6.9 MILLION stolen from the tax-payers from ONE school.
284487
i think the best solution is to make them all legal.  after all, who is not an immigrant in this country except for the native american?  open the borders.