Why this passionate debate about illegal immigrants?
437273
So there are people in the US that work illegaly, And if someone does something illegal there should be consequences. What about the government choosing not to enforce the law as well as they could? Then in practice we have a law that may or may not be enforced and that is not to blame on illegal immigrants. So now that 9/11 happened people are worried about the borders but the current situation is as much fault of the immigrants as everybody else that let it happen. So everybody needs to pick up the slack.\n\nSo illegal immigrants don't pay taxes. False, they do pay state taxes they just don't pay federal taxes. And they don't do it because they can't because they are illegal. If they were legal they would pay taxes and there would be an even ground for americans and immigrants competing for the same jobs.\n\nThe idea that all mexicans should leave is rather naive. The american and mexican economy would have a crisis. And the US would have an enemy where there used to be a friend. That would not be a smart thing for a leading country to do.\n\nDriving a car with an expired registration is also illegal. The punishment needs to match the offense, and also the backround needs to be accounted for. If law enforcement decided not to enforce a law for years; that also needs to be accounted for. If the US decided to not let anyone else come in (without disregard for human life) that is fine, but after a person has been here for years and has made a life here, that is something else. And let's not shoot ourselves in the foot.
310946
Its not the immigrants that we have a problem with.\nWe have a problem with Illegal immigrants.\nIt is not OK for me to brake the law.\nWhy should it be OK from someone from another country too?
863727
You won't find much hate here, there's some loud-mouths, and there's one guy that asks really 'interesting' questions, like he's trying a little bit of the old race-baiting gambit, there...\n\nMainly, though, you find some good dialogue going back and forth.\nImmigration, AND illegal immigration, are hardly issues confined solely to Mexico, or to the USA, for that matter. This'n's GLOBAL in its' scope and implications.\n\nEver read a book called The Population Bomb? It's worth a read...the guy's a little 'out there', but the book does give a couple good perspectives and different ideas on stuff...\n\nYou keep  hearing about 'growth', and how it's supposed to be great for the economy and all that. But, there's a flip-side to 'growth', a negative, less-publicized side, which is worth full review and discussion also, so beware some of these pro-immigration enthusiasts and their shiny-eyed kool-aid drinking B.S\n\nImmigration, like many other issues, has lots of facets and perspectives. Don't just listen to one group/voice etc....
641909
Honestly when it comes to this whole debate about immigration I'm a bit torn.  \n\nHere are some of my thoughts (whether they make sense or not is another story):\n\nToday I was able to order lunch at McDonalds today and they got my order right thanks to the illegal immigrants not being at work because of the boycott.\n\nOur nation was built by many great people, most of whom were immigrants. But the immigrants who came here previously worked hard to learn the language and make a better life for their families.\n\nToo many immigrants don't understand why they are really boycotting anyway.  Seeing someone draping themselves with a Mexican flag doesn't scream "I want to be an American and make a better life for my family" it says more that they want to bring everything that is Mexico with them even though they are running from it by coming here in the first place.\n\nAmerican students are held back to make sure their immigrant counterparts are able to get up to speed which proves difficult because of language and cultural barriers.\n\nSome immigrants like one of my neighbors do work their tails off to learn english, contribute to the community and help their neighbors out when in need.  The neighbor I am speaking of mows the elderly woman across the street's lawn and shovels her walk during the winter.  His wife will often cook dinners for another neighbor who is pregnant and whose husband is in Iraq.\n\nTo answer your question would I boycott a business that closes to support the Hispanic community?  I don't know.  It would probably depend on what I knew about the business and their motives for doing so.  It's a tough call, at least for me.
826576
I agree with you,mate,but it looks like we're on a loser here.Some  of the answers make a distinction 'legal' & 'illegal',but if they see an obvious foreigner in the street,they don't ask themselves that question,they think 'bloody immigrant'.A little bit of racism here,don't you think?
504534
Ink Why Rare is correct, many illegal immigrants are fighting not only for their citizenship, but OUR COUNTRY! \nWhat I'm about to say next is going to piss a bunch of people off, but what the heck! I have a more respect for illegal immigrants fighting to serve a country that they desire to call home, than sniveling USA citizens that have never served, and take their citizenship for granted. Unless you have served in the military, you have no idea what those guys are willing to sacrifice for the dream of becoming a USA citizen. They have my respect, and my support. Regards
343719
I think more people are upset at the fact that illegal immigrants are not paying income taxes but are receiveing free services.\nI have to tell clients of mine (all the time) that pursuing a case costs more than what they would recover if we were successful.\nI think that trying to stop the ILLEGAL immigration problem is going to cost much more than what we spend in benefits.\n\nThese are VERY technical economic questions - that even the smartest economists in the world argue about.  \n\nChances are there is no real answer to these questions.  They are simply politically motivated issues that help get people elected.\n\nDOn't fall for it!
1071932
Thank you for the intelligent question....\n\nIts very hard to take someone serious when they make sweeping, ignorant statements about a group of people.  \n\nThis debate will never gain ground as long as we have bigots screaming their politics's of hate and fear.  \n\nI agree its a problem.  And I don't think it is going away anytime soon.  I see it everyday here on the border.  But to attack these people just for sheer fun is just stupid.  Nothing will ever get resolved this way....
995390
It's not racist to only want legal immigrants.  The trouble is, most of the people making all the noise about illegal immigration right now only care about Mexican (and central/south american) illegal immigrants -- because they look different and speak a different language.  That's racist.  If all of our illegal immigrants were from England, they wouldn't say a word.  That they only attack Mexican illegal immigrants belies their true motives.\n\nWhy compare us to communist and dictator/royalty led governments?  We're supposed to be better than they are.  We have in our constitution guarantees of basic human rights, while those other countries do not.  We *should* achieve a workable solution to prevent illegal immigration, but not with racism as its root cause and not at the expense of human rights.  We're supposed to be better than that.
181039
Because they are idiots.  We citizens (and illegals for that matter) are merely peons.  If people would stop wasting their time on protests, etc..., and put their energy into something that is actually worth while, much could be accomplished.
619496
I think it just solidified the antagonism felt on both sides. Personally, I am against illegal immigrants from any country.  The key word is ILLEGAL. By doing what they did, I think they just made legal citizens angrier with them and much less likely to feel any sympathy.  Why do they think they have the right to demand a privilege be given to them that so many others worked so hard to obtain? It lessens the value of what the legal immigrants obtained, and sends the message that we'll just throw our hands up and say, "Oh, okay, if you insist, come on in illegally.  We'll yell a little bit then let you stay."  Can you imagine the flood of illegals we'll get if these people are given amnesty?
1114196
Its a controversy beccause government officials and many individuals believe, with some credibility, that illegal immigration brings down wages. However, more sympathetic pro-immigration types believe that since this country was founded by illegal immigrants and that America has a tradition of incorporating everyone into the "melting pot", that illegal immigration should be allowed. There will always be controversy as long as there are competing intrests( I.E. some government officials and pro-immigrant people).
1016145
Being from Texas, I've been aware of this issue for at least a decade. What's amazing to me is how some people can't see the difference between legal and illegal. They keep yapping about how racist it is to want to guard the U.S. border. They're obviously clueless as to what this constant invasion will mean to the future of the U.S. \nBut it has opened my eyes to how much our elected politicians do not want to stop the invasion.
708156
In denial!  They seem to think that it is quiet alright for them to commit a crime of being illegal.  The just do not understand exactly that being an illegal is committing a crime.  There is just no legal or common sense reasons why they want to illegally immigrate.  If their supporters are so into supporting them, why don't the supporters get together, financially, and help them better their lives in the country where they are from and not in this country as illegals.
599161
The only thing ive noticed is no one is prepared to listen to anyone elses views, sticking to theyre own even if it is wrong, unjust or just a plain dumb response.\n\nBut then that probably because its easier to argue over something when you dont know the facts and realise the world is changing everyday than to be bothered putting it a critical argument.\n\nI mean so many people have said its against the law as if they never take a step outside the front door and cause a crime. I mean, how many here have downloaded a movie off the internet...then have the hypocracy to say the illegals are breaking the law. I can bet a fair few of them, and those who say no ive never done a crime and just talking out of theyre arse.
446285
The illegal immigration issue is a really hot one right now
510191
It attracted attention of mass media and politicians to the problem of illegal immigration. Hopefully it will be solved soon... and change situation for immigrants for better.