Has proponents for amnesty for illegal immigrants considered the biggest problem with amnesty for illegals?
536447
See this is what I don't get. How in the world does this question get a reply of "racist pig". I guess if there is no real basis for arguing with the content we simply throw mud? \n\nThis is a good question that brings up a good point. The amnesty of the Reagan years did not have the desired results. I really like to hear others opinions about this on BOTH sides. \n\nYou really hurt your cause and credibility when all you do is throw mud.
418256
Yea (To The ASKER) I Hate IGNORANCE Too\n\nThis Part Of My Answer Goes Out To BRAD_J(Above)\n\nthere are jobs Americans simply won't do, so that the importation of foreigners is essential. Whether these foreign workers are ILLEGAL ALIENS,  guestworkers, or permanent Legal Immigrants is a detail to be worked out by us, the argument goes, but our need for them is unchanged.Even many opponents of the proposed Bush Amnesty assume this to be true, leading them to propose new and improved guestworker programs, with provisions for stricter controls against Permanent Settlement, greater incentives to return, tighter enforcement against Unscrupulous Employers, etc. As well-meaning as such efforts may be, the basic assumption is false — \n\nIf Congress were to pass a law that said, quite simply, that the CEO of any business that was caught employing ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS went to jail for a year - NO EXCEPTIONS - then within a month there would be ten million (more or less) people lined up at the Mexican border trying to get out of the United States. The US unemployment rate would drop close to zero, and wages would begin to rise. The American middle class would begin to return to viability, as would the union movement in this nation.\n\nThere is simply no economic reason to import FOREIGN Workers.If the supply of FOREIGN Workers were to dry up (say, through actually ENFORCING the immigration law, for starters), employers would respond to this new, tighter, labor market in two ways. \n\n1: One, they would offer HIGHER Wages, INCREASED Benefits, and Improved Working Conditions, so as to recruit and retain people from the remaining pool of workers.\n\n2:At the same time, the same employers would look for ways to eliminate some of the jobs they now are having trouble filling. The result would be a NEW Equilibrium, with Blue-Collar Workers making somewhat Better Money, but each one of those workers being more productive.\n\nMany people fear the first part of such a response, claiming that prices for fruits and vegetables would skyrocket, fueling inflation..NOT TRUE..Labor accounts for only about ten percent of the retail price of a head of lettuce,  so even doubling the wages of pickers would have little noticeable effect on consumers.\n\nSeveral people told me they used to do the "jobs Americans won't do" until local employers figured out they could get ILLEGAL Aliens to work for less than half the same amount. As an example, a young landscaper who used to make $15 an hour 10 years ago, can't get a similar job now for more than $8 an hour. Same heat. Same difficult working conditions.  But with the Depressed Wage, AMERICANS – who live in a country where the cost of living is miles above that of Mexico's – can't afford to take such jobs.It's not that he and other Americans don't want to do landscaping anymore; it's just that in heavily trafficked ILLEGAL Alien environments, IT DOESNT PAY WELL ENOUGH ANYMORE.\n\n Younger U.S.-born high school graduates are squeezed at both ends. Jobs that would have gone to them in the past are now being grabbed by college graduates. The lowest-wage jobs are unappealing, and employers will not raise wages as long as ILLEGAL Immigrants will take them.\n\nIf this is what the open borders crowd means by ILLEGAL ALIENS doing jobs Americans don't want, they're right. American workers want jobs that can Earn them a DECENT LIVING in this country. Minimum wage is a fortune south of the border, but it doesn't go far here. \n***************************\n\nBack To The ASKERS Question---\n\n\nLets Get The Numbers Straight AND Ill Throw In A Few OTHER Facts For You TOO(For All You Bush Crime Family Lovers)\n\nThe BUSH Crime Family Administration Couldn't Have Done A Better Job \nOf Turning Iraq Into America's Most Expensive And  Dangerous Enemy If It Had Genuinely Had That As Its Goal. . . .\n\n\nAmount appropriated by the US Congress for Opereations In Iraq
720144
According to the Senate, they don't need amnesty. The Senate just passed an Illegal Immigration (Amnesty) Bill that stated that illegal aliens that pay into the Social Security system are ENTITLED to collect benefits!!\n\nHere are some problems with the bill the Senate passed:\n\n1) It grants amnesty. Use whatever words you want, but the end result is that most illegals don't even have to leave the US and they can eventually get citizenship. Whatever you want to say, it is amnesty.\n\n2) Illegal aliens only have to pay back income taxes on 3 out of the last 5 years!! Hell, let me not pay taxes for 5 years then only have to pay for 3 of them. An AMERICAN CITIZEN risks being put in PRISON for this - yet the Senate voted to allow it for illegals.\n\n3) Illegal aliens are eligible to receive Social Security benefits with SURVIVOR BENEFITS if they paid into the Social Security system. Never mind that ANY SSN an illegal has is either fraudulant or being used fraudulently. Never mind that an AMERICAN CITIZEN is not allowed - by law - to profit from a crime he or she committed. Never mind that identity theft is a felony that can land you in jail for many years. The Senate said illegal aliens have the RIGHT to do all of the above!! OUTRAGEOUS!!\n\n4) The Senate version of illegal immigration "reform" REQUIRES the UNITED STATES to consult MEXICO if we build a fence on our own land!!\n\nHow does the liberal media portray this information? Try this from the AP:\n\n"The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally."\n\nThe bill passed the Senate with a 62-36 vote. Below is a list of the 62 Senators who voted against America's security and ability to control our own borders. If one or both of your Senators voted for the bill, write to them and let them know that you WILL NOT FORGET this vote when they come up for re-election. Remind them with a not-so-gentle love tap that they WORK FOR YOU AND NOT FOR VICENTE FOX - who, by the way, is very much in support of the Senate bill. THAT should tell you something.\n\nSENATORS WHO VOTED FOR THE ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY BILL:\n\nAkaka (D-HI)\nBaucus (D-MT)\nBayh (D-IN)\nBennett (R-UT)\nBiden (D-DE)\nBingaman (D-NM)\nBoxer (D-CA)\nBrownback (R-KS)\nCantwell (D-WA)\nCarper (D-DE)\nChafee (R-RI)\nClinton (D-NY)\nColeman (R-MN)\nCollins (R-ME)\nConrad (D-ND)\nCraig (R-ID)\nDayton (D-MN)\nDeWine (R-OH)\nDodd (D-CT)\nDomenici (R-NM)\nDurbin (D-IL)\nFeingold (D-WI)\nFeinstein (D-CA)\nFrist (R-TN)\nGraham (R-SC)\nGregg (R-NH)\nHagel (R-NE)\nHarkin (D-IA)\nInouye (D-HI)\nJeffords (I-VT)\nJohnson (D-SD)\nKennedy (D-MA)\nKerry (D-MA)\nKohl (D-WI)\nLandrieu (D-LA)\nLautenberg (D-NJ)\nLeahy (D-VT)\nLevin (D-MI)\nLieberman (D-CT)\nLincoln (D-AR)\nLugar (R-IN)\nMartinez (R-FL)\nMcCain (R-AZ)\nMcConnell (R-KY)\nMenendez (D-NJ)\nMikulski (D-MD)\nMurkowski (R-AK)\nMurray (D-WA)\nNelson (D-FL)\nObama (D-IL)\nPryor (D-AR)\nReed (D-RI)\nReid (D-NV)\nSarbanes (D-MD)\nSchumer (D-NY)\nSmith (R-OR)\nSnowe (R-ME)\nSpecter (R-PA)\nStevens (R-AK)\nVoinovich (R-OH)\nWarner (R-VA)\nWyden (D-OR)
438736
No.  And those that do have the most pathetic arguments in support of it.  It's always "compassion." Or they try to tie it to the civil rights movement of the 60.\n\nNEWS FLASH\nIllegals aliens are NOT citizens.  They have only HUMAN rights in the USA.  THAT'S IT.  They have no Constitutionally guaranteed rights.\n\nDeporting them is NOT a civil rights issue.  We have the right to manage our immigration policy however we see fit.\n\nAnd regarding compassion, I have tons of compassion for them.  But we have a country to run, and we can't let people just waltz into the USA.  WE CAN'T ALLOW THEM TO IMPORT POLITICS.  Poor, uneducated, illiterate people tend to like SOCIALISM.  I don't.  I'm not talking about good all american bleeding heart liberalism.  I'm talking about Castro quality SOCIALISM.\n\nAlso, they are massing in the Southwest by the MILLIONS.  Do you realize that the population of TEXAS is 22 million.  And the proposed legislation wants to make 12 million illegals citizens.  And MOST of those are in the southwest.  So, don't you think the people of these states have the right to not get their vote diluted by potential SOCIALISTS.  this is not about race.  I have no problem with people who are here legally.  But when you allow millions of people in, they congregate together and hold the same political leanings (like allegiance to Mexico and socialistic beliefs).  The fact that most can't speak English just strengthens their solidarity and reinforces their beliefs because they can't understand what most Americans are saying.\n\nThis has the makings of ethnic strife written all over it.  Look at Northern Ireland. Iraq. France. Cyprus. Sudan. Turkey AND Iran with the Kurds.  Quebec in France.  There is a clear correlation between ethnic strife when large areas do not integrate into the whole.  this is what will happen if we have entire cities with millions of new non-English speaking spring up in the southwest.  And this will happen if we have an open border.  The 12 million that we're talking about right now is just a start.  What about the next 30 years???\n\nAnd don't be fooled by the "guest worker" program.  They'll still be dirt poor, but "legal."  Then they'll have a basis for petitioning for rights.  They WILL want citizenship EN MASSE.  It will be the exact same situation, but worse since they'll have been INVITED.\n\nPersonally, I'd rather pay a dollar more per pound of oranges, rather than have my kids or grandkids bombed or have to fight a civil war.
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"
1122193
Yes it is.  I think people somehow view it as racist to not reward people in the US illegally.   In fact, I'm tempted to use this argument  the next time I'm in traffic court - "but your honor, if we can give amnesty to those illegally using resources and living in our country without paying taxes, then I deserve amnesty for my speeding ticket."\n\nHowever, Bush baby and his team of morons know good and well that our economy is extremely dependent on Mexican workers.  I do support giving them legal work permits.  Such permits would give them some limited protections against being taken advantage of by employers, but should also limit access to public resources and not allow for their children to be born as citizens (which would require a constitutional ammendment).\n\nTo not do so would cause tremendous inflation.  No..you're not going to get prisoners to work our orchards and fields (ever try to get good work out of a captive workforce..ain't gonna happen) and home prices would skyrocket if contractors were limited to totally legal workers.\n\nAnd yes, I do think the construction industry needs to clean out its illegal work force.  In border states, the widespread use of illegal labor has kept wages down for decades, thus no one views it as an honorable trade anymore.   \n\nI have no problem with paying more for construction but as the wife of an electrical contractor in TX, I can tell you that HE has huge problems getting workers that are worth a darn (no he doesn't use illegal labor).  The current wages probably have a lot to do with the lack of quality labor but he's even tried paying more than prevailing wages and there is just not a pool of good workers anymore.   It would temporarily cripple the industry but maybe that change is worth it.\n\nLike Bill Maher said "let's see Bush try to build a 2000 mile long fence without using Mexican labor."
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.
366588
It's a bad idea all the way around.  People spend money and time trying to enter legally.  Amnesty to illegals is a slap in their faces.
332354
No one has ever been punished for Illegal immigration? Good Lord wake up.... Once upon a time they most certainly were. After 1986 amnesty is when everything began to go to hell.\n\nRefinement unfortunately. Wasn't enough the way it was introuduced.\n\nNo to amnesty.....No to healthcare....No to social services....No to Illegal employers.....No to anchor babies.....No to Social service help...No to drivers licences....No to temp workers programs....No to free education....No to manditory Spanish classes in our schools....no to spanish on labeling government documents.... Yes to boarder security priority.....Yes to enforcement of immigration limits.....Yes to Illegal employers fined and jailed.....Yes to Harboring Illegal immigrants being fined and jailed being enforced\n\n\n\nA DAY WITHOUT AMERICANS ! April 17, 2006! \n\nIn response to the recent mass national rallies fearlessly staged by the illegal alien lobby, The Dustin Inman Society is suggesting that Americans nationwide stay home from work and not spend any money on April 17. 2006 - income tax day. \n\n\nAPRIL 17, 2006 LEGAL Americans are being asked to stay home from work and not spend any money that day! Protest ILLEGAL aliens, their boycotts and marches, their taking of jobs, resources, welfare, healthcare, disobediance and defiance of American laws. Show congress that they may ignore our emails and phone calls, but we won't remain ignored! \n\nSupported by Americans for Legal Immigration \n\nhttp://alipac.us/ftopict-20151.html
1111850
You're right - immigration isn't the problem. It's people willing to overlook the illegal aspects of it. Our country was built on immigrants but when people come here and step on the laws and expect to get rewarded it really gets me going.
253968
I think that the problem is the perception that it is okay to come here illegally.  We need to secure the borders, and allow legal immigration.  We need to raise minimum wage so those we allow in will not be unemployed, poor, and taking more from the society than they give.  This should go to ALL Americans!  \n\nWe need to amend the constitution to change citizenship to be for children born to LEGAL immigrants or that have one CITIZEN as a parent, otherwise they are not American.  This would eliminate the "Anchor Baby" issue.  \n\nWe need to NOT make all services available in any language requested.  We need to help folks learn english, and we should not disparage those that are learning.  If governement programs, driver license tests, IRS forms, and many others, were not made in Spanish, primarily for illegal immigrants, the need to learn english would be more important.  That being said, English classes should be taught for free by charitable organizations supported by the government.\n\nWe need intelligent, sane policies.  We need to be willing to pay the cost of farm products picked and handled by legal workers.\n\nIf we do all of this, MORE legal immigrants could come to America, because we would not be paying for and hunting down so many illegals!
867127
All I can say is the government had better listen to the people, regardless of the election results, and the MAJORITY of the people are unhappy with the number of illegal immigrants in this country.  I certainly hope they do not even THINK about another amnesty because I think the country is on the edge of civil war regarding this issue and the people in government had better take this seriously and stop just pandering to businesses and corporations.
708043
I work with a guy who was about 4 years old when his parents immigrated legally. He was not born here so when he got old enough he started the process to become a legal citizen. He paid for it, he did it the legal way and he has been here seventeen years and is about to get his citizenship. He is adamantly against illegal immigration. I makes him mad to think he went through the proper, legal. tedious process and those people could end up getting their amnesty without doing what he had to do. \n\nI'm sick of people claiming those illegal immigrants just want 'work to feed their poor families'. That is such a CROCK!  I have yet to see anyone coming across that border looking emaciated or starving. I see people from Ethiopia and other countries where they are REALLY starving, their children are DYING from malnutrition  and they would LOVE to come to the USA. They are POOR. The USA sends aid to those countries but we cannot take in millions of poor people to be supported by our taxes. It's the same with those illegally entering from our border with Mexico. We cannot continue to support unlimited numbers of people who just 'want a better life'. I want a better life, too. I can't just go move in with a rich person and demand they take care of me and my family, provide us with medical care, food, clothing and let me have the run of his house. It don't work that way. You have to live according to what YOU, YOURSELF, can provide. If they want a better life, make it better in their own country. They shouldn't slither into the USA and demand WE take care of them. They're not starving! They are no more poor than some of our own citizens. They need to get a real life in their own country.
789758
They were largely Republican until this year and the issue of cracking down on illegal immigration came up, then many switched sides.  \n\nThis is not JUST a latin american issue.\n\nBoth sides have decent arguements.  On the one hand the majority of illegals do want to come hear to live our American dream and want to do a good job and participate and pay taxes.  However, when they come over here illegally it opens a major can of worms and we have to ask the question "why can't they go through the correct process like so many before them?".  \n\nMany of us are ticked off that we have to struggle to make ends meat and pay for our expenses, work and try to better ourselves through school and we can't qualify for services.  Yet there are people here illegally getting services that we can't qualify for and they get to share or steal our American dream that we bought and paid for in taxes and we get understandably upset.\n\nI know of plenty of people that came here legally.  \n\nWe are a nation of rules and laws and if we aren't going to enforce them, then what good are they? \n\nAlso, I think it's particularly worrisome that so many people have gotten into the US illegally.  It quite frankly frightens me about national safety.  The law of averages has to tell us that at least some of the people here illegally DO NOT have good intentions!
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
383280
Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesty_International. There is a section of complaints. That's the best that I can do.
520502
I write public officials constantly about these issues, especially my senators and the representative of my ward.  The truth is that hundreds of thousands of people are writing, calling, showing up....to demand border security and extreme limits on all forms of immigration.  So many that the lines of communication are all jammed most of the time.\n\nThat's why you saw the whole amnesty craziness come to a screeching halt (its also why an enforcment only bill came out of the house).  It has become extremely clear that any politician who, in any way, stands in the way of reform, is finished.  Something like 90% of people in the US feel this way and feel strongly enough about it that they will vote out anyone who tries to prevent reform.  Bushes stance on amnesty is what has driven his poll numbers into the toilet...not the situation in Iraq (for which he has been completely vindicated I might add).