Should undocumented immigrants be granted amnesty?
536011
Some yes, some no. \n\nI think those that have been here for 15 years, can pass a literacy test and swear alligiance to the US and who can substantiate that they have worked most of their time here or are a spouse of a worker I think they should be granted amisty . The 15 year period has to be unbroken. That is no deportations or arrests during that time period. I also feel they must renounce citizenship in the country of origion. Something we don't do for most imigrants but the fact they arrived here illegally I think is justification for more stringent requirements. \n\nFor those here less than that or ones we keep deporting and catching again. No I think we should grant them no amisty. I feel that the majority of them do not want to be Americans except for economic gain and do not believe in the US. Nor that they would have anything like the tolerance we have for them if the posisitions were reversed.  I think they would throw us out on our ear in a heart beat. Often they do even here. Try to get a job working at a place where mostly illegals work. If the boss is an illegal you'll find that the job is not availible for people of a different ethnic group. \n\nI think blanket amesty would be to revive racial/ethnic/religious prejudice in the nation. I think we will fragment along these lines and encourage even more enemies of the US to come here. While the majority of illegals come here just for work. They have been recruited en masse by legals once here by various racist organizations such as LULU. \n\nI also think that unemployment will reach new heights as most of these former illegals will suddenly want better paying jobs that do not exist and be replaced by illegals. With our welfare system already near collapse this would be just enough to end most social services for the poor for all Americans I feel. \n\nThen there is a secondary issue. If we allow these people to become Amercians in mass. It opens the door for relitives to come over here outside of quotas. So if we give 3 million illegals amesty then we have just brought over 10 million other relitives of these 3 million. I don't think the US could survive such an influx of people, especially when the bulk of them will be of a single non-English speaking ethnic  group. Remember legal US citizens have the right to bring over direct family members legally and unaffected by quotas.
1104823
There needs to be a clear line between people who've overstayed their visas, but have been paying taxes for years and have no criminal record. They should get citizenship. The rest should be treated according to their cases. Every story is different!
698249
I believe that would be an asylum situation ,not amnesty.\nTo flee an oppressive communistic government is not running across the border to get a better paying job.\nThose country's try to prevent their people from leaving,not encourage then to as the Mexican government does.And in Mexico most all the neighbors either has a relative or knows someone that has illegally entered America.I feel you are comparing apples to oranges in this question.There is a huge difference in political asylum and illegal immigration.\nI do not ,will not support a blanket amnesty for all illegal aliens from any country.
541948
Youre Exactly Right\n\nAccording To The CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.\n(I'll Condense It)\nAnyone That Has Not Been Educated In A School That Teaches In The English Language Till At Least The Sixth Grade  - OR  - Is NOT FLUENT Enough To READ And WRITE The English Language  Is NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE \n\nIf Amnesty Is Granted It Will Be As You Stated\n10(More Like 20) million uneducated, poor, non-English speakers (ILLITERATE) with political leanings that have CITIZENSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS.\n\nIts A Formula For Disaster\n\n(you been readin my blog??)  =-) LOL
566645
NO AMNESTY! NEVER! That will just encourage more illegal immigrants to try the same thing.  Put 'em in jail, make 'em work at public service projects such as building parks, cleaning the streets, etc., take half the money they make to pay their fine and use that money to send their butts back to wherever they came from.  Second time they're caught, double their jail time, third time, double the second times jail time.  Quit being a pushover for these people.
491950
What is the question? The current Senate Bill doesn't give amnesty for all. It gives legalization to those here over 5 years, the ability to apply for legalization by leaving the country for those here between 2 and five years and deportation for those here less than two years.\n\nNo clue what will come out of the House on this point, if anything.  The most noise on any compromise at all between the Senate and the House that I've heard is to kill amnesty but leave in place the guest worker program going forward.  Me, I'd rather have amnesty for non-felons already here, and kill the guest worker program going forward until the border is really secured.  I don't think the Senate is at all serious about border security.\n\nHowever, we'll have to see what happens.
847436
Expecting people to respect the law is not racist. I agree with your position, but I do care who is in the country. Respecting the law begins with not entering the country illegally. Have no fear though Democrats are going to give them amnesty and then they will all be legal. The new incoming head of the Homeland Security Committee has stated that his first goal will be to review the border fence with an eye towards scrapping the whole project. I am also sure that now that Democrats control The House, The Senate's first order of business will be to pass the Kennedy/McCain immigration bill, which will not only legalize all that are hear already, but will also allow no less than 400000 new immigrants into the country per year. The major stumbling block to passage has been that the House would not accept it and that doesn't appear to be a problem anymore.
524714
Impact of amnesty proposals on Illegal Alien numbers \nhttp://www.theamericanresistance.com/ref/illegal_alien_numbers.html#howManyIl...\n\nOn January 9, 2004, President Bush proposed a guest worker program - a thinly veiled amnesty for illegal aliens. \nA February 29, 2004, Fox News article subsequently stated that from 50 percent to 90 percent of illegal aliens apprehended claimed they were coming here for the "amnesty" (their words). One Border Patrol officer stated that "They believe that they are only responding to an invitation." \nShortly thereafter, the Border Patrol was ordered not to collect this information. \n\nWord of the amnesty had spread far beyond Mexico. \nApprehensions included Nicaraguans, Brazilians, Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Chileans, Chinese, Pakistanis, and East Indians. \n\nBy June, 2004, U.S. Border Patrol official statistics revealed that there had been 135,468 apprehensions along the southwest border during April 2004,  an 80 percent increase when compared to April 2003. A May 23, 2004, New York Times article stated that after a 4-year drop,  apprehensions were are up 30 percent over 2003 apprehensions along the entire southern border,  with 660,000 people detained from October 1, 2003 through the end of April, 2004. \n Representative Kolbe testified that 155,000 people had been apprehended along the Arizona border in the first three months of 2004. \n\nAlthough correlation does not necessarily imply causation, it seems reasonable to presume a relatively modest 25 percent increase in illegal aliens starting January 15, 2004,  through the rest of the year as a result of the "guest worker" proposal.  This 25 percent is a conservative estimate of the increased flow of illegal aliens into the U.S. as a result of President Bush's amnesty proposal. In fact, official Border Patrol apprehension statistics show that total 2004 apprehensions as of June 30, 2004  represent  A 190 PERCENT INCREASE  over total 2003 apprehensions.\n\n\nShort Answer: Granting Amnesty Will Only Result In An EXPONENTIAL INCREASE To The Problem We Have\nWe Should Drop This Addiction COLD TURKEY
629216
Yes, so long as they are willing to follow the steps required. Unlike most people, I don't blame them for coming in here any way they could. And no, they are not a burden to society and they do not drain the economy. Not all work under the table. They DO pay taxes and have Social Security taken out which they will not be able to collect. I do agree they work for low wages but that all would change if they were given work permits. And yes if people do not want to go through the process and learn English and adapt, then yes, they should not be in this country.\n"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness". Remember these words? I do.
494615
I think this is a very valid question.  It shows how hypocritical it would be to give amnesty to those who did not follow the rules.\n\n---\n\nin response to the person above, that is not true.  They are not all "doing the work that no one else will do."  They are doing jobs U.S. citizens will do, but are doing it for such cheap wages, often lower than minimum wage, that they are getting the jobs.  They are bringing down the value of a jobs worth.
659480
5. Impact of amnesty proposals on Illegal Alien numbers \nhttp://www.theamericanresistance.com/ref...\n\nOn January 9, 2004, President Bush proposed a guest worker program- A thinly veiled amnesty for illegal aliens.\n\nA February 29, 2004, Fox News article subsequently stated that from 50 percent to 90 percent of illegal aliens apprehended claimed they were coming here for the "amnesty" (their words). \nOne Border Patrol officer stated that "They believe that they are only responding to an invitation."\n\nAlthough correlation does not necessarily imply causation, it seems reasonable to presume a relatively modest 25 percent increase in illegal aliens starting January 15, 2004, through the rest of the year as a result of the "guest worker" proposal. \nThis 25 percent is a conservative estimate of the increased flow of illegal aliens into the U.S. as a result of President Bush's amnesty proposal. \n\nIn fact, official Border Patrol apprehension statistics show that total 2004 apprehensions as of June 30, 2004 represent \nA 190 PERCENT INCREASE over total 2003 apprehensions.\n\nShort Answer - No It Is NOT A Wise Decision \nTo Grant "AMNESTY" Or "GUEST WORKER PROGRAMS" \nThe Result Will INCREASE The Amount Of ILLEGAL Aliens Entering Our Nation
1076378
Your logic is correct.  Giving amnesty to a group of individuals is discrimination against those who have broken other laws.
982039
Wow No I would not consider it correct. I know people in this situation they came here from other parts of central America on their own at the risk of losing everything they own and their family.some of their friends lost their lives. All because of a need,whether it be because of poverty,abuse, lack of family or what ever It's the minors that suffer more. If they make it here they should be considered for amnesty.
1001799
Well we already know there not going to all have to leave. so we do need to consider this. They should have guidelines. Ones who have children born here should stay, If their  or any one is going to use welfare thye need to be forced to work untill they are on their feet, they should also be given a certain amount of time, to be able to take care of them selves. If a participant on welfare gets preganant a second time while on these services, something should happen to be said this is not ok. Before granting amnesty they should be screened, those who have commited violent crimes or  any kind of sex crime should do their time then be deported (unfortunately not all sex crimes are considered very serious) While here if they commit one of these crimes then the same for them.\nI am for amnesty but not for ppl who commit violent crimes.\nSecure our borders.\n\nk I wanted to write more but gotta get back to work.
912775
ofcourse.  the dem with r next to his name in the white house has already said we have to have work visas which will then imply amnesty.  sure glad I can pay for that too.  everybody has the same rights I do but I put money in for them they dont.  sure seems fair to me.
937443
But, by giving them amnesty you're just promoting more illegal immigration. In other words throwing more wood on the fire.
664017
I think the felony for aiding an immigrant is a non-starter and a negotiating point the House put in.  I think if we can't enforce the laws we have, all we would have with that law is an even more 'illigitimate law'.  (I am sure that is in your text book too.)\n\nHowever, while the principles you are discussing are one theory of political analysis, using any one theory alone is like wearing blinders.  Yours doesn't get you to the point in this case.\n\nThere is frustration with a demand for rights we reserve to legal status individuals, and with the assumption that overburdening schools and services should not be taken into account if the people doing it are 'good people'.  Basic human rights are different, and if we are physically being cruel to people or not allowing them due process or something, that would be different.\n\nThose who repeat that illegal immigrants are here illegally aren't dim wits unable to comprehend basic social theory, and many have progressed beyond Poli Sci 101.  What you see is people saying that the ones demanding legal resident rights aren't entitled to them, and are out of line to demand that kind of rights.   Those rights are conferred precisely because people are here legally.  Illegal immigrants aren't part of the protected class that came here legally at a rate designed for assimilation. \n\nI believe that, myself.  I think the best argument for regularizing current illegal immigrants is that while we have to close the border and limit immigrants, these people are already here.  As a practical matter, if they would meet our standards (not gang members or terrorists, and self supporting), a lot of people think it is best to just say 'ok start today' on tough enforcement.  The problem is that the amnesty in 1986 to do just that was taken by many as something that would happen regularly.  Since 1986, there has not been enforcement at the border and the illegal immigrant population has exploded.  Moreover, people come onto this site and actually say they should get amnesty 'because nothing has been done for Mexicans since 1986', as if amnesty were a regular process.  That would nullify our immigration policies, which have good reason for existing.\n\nI think we need to close the border, really, really close the border.  Then we can turn to the people inside, and decide how to handle that.  It is a lot easier to be empathetic when you are not being told that theoretically we should support the poor of the entire world.