What is your opinion on the proposed immigration bill?
549742
I think we should break down the questions into three parts, and address the overarching themes (since we do not know what the final shape of the immigration bill will be).\n\nFIRST PART:\nShould there be immigration? The answer is a resounding yes. America is a nation of immigrants, and unless you're the great grandson of Sitting Bull, you are of immigrant origin. Immigration is what gives strength to this country: where do you think George Washington and Lincoln came from, spontaneous combustion? What about Einstein? \n\nFurthermore, while many sit around and complain about immigrants, the US is the country with the most transnational corporations in the world, which means we derive a great portion of our wealth from doing business abroad--so I think we can take a few immigants from those countries in which we do business. Mexico happens to be our fourth largest trading partner which means a lot of Americans have jobs because Mexicans are buying our products. \n\nAlso note that a lot of Americans are staffing the branches of US transnational corporations in other countries. For instance, Japan is the country with the second largest population of Americans (after the US, evidently, and excluding Iraq and Afghanistan were American populations are in theory temporary) and Mexico is the country with the third largest population of Americans.\n\nIt's true that it would be good if Mexico could provide enough work for its own citizens, but the fact is that it cannot do that yet; as neighbors the US and Mexico need to sit down and work together to find a solution. Building a fence will not even help; we'll probably have to hire immigrants to help us build it!\n\nSeparately, someone claimed that immigrants come here to take advantage of Social Security and our welfare state. In fact, statistically speaking, it has been proved again and again that immigrants work hard enough to earn their Social Security, just like any other worker in America. In addition, it's also a statistical fact that there are more Americans on welfare than immigrants; illegal immigrants do not really have access to it, since they are not US citizens and cannot receive it.\n\nHaving said that, you might say, "OK, but there ought to be a legal process to allow immigrants".  Fair enough. Which leads me to the second part of my answer.\n\nSECOND PART: \nShould there be a temporary guest workers program (which President Bush has proposed) that will eventually allow immigrants to become citizens?\nBy all means. Immigration is actually good to oil the global economy and the American economy. As economies develop, such as the US economy has, the citizens become more wealthy and better educated, which leads them to look for better paying jobs. If you are well educated, you are not going to apply for a fruit-picking job, you'll try to become a lawyer, businessman or a college professor, for example. Immigrants are the ones who help us do the jobs in sectors that suffer from labor deficits.\n\nThere are those who argue that if immigrants didn't come to the US, the minimum wage would be higher and therefore US citizens would be more willing to do those jobs. That's nonsense, because of what I just explained: a better educated population does not want to work in agriculture, work as house maids or delivery boys! If Mexico and the rest of Latin America fell of the face of the Earth, other immigrants would come from other countries to take up the jobs that nobody else is doing. In fact, that's what happened when most people came from Europe over the last 200 years. Do you think my or your great-great grandaddy was the Duke of Earl? He was likely as uneducated as any immigrant you meet on the Texas border!\n\nHaving said that, I understand the frustration that many people feel when they see immigrants coming to the US and getting jobs while they are having trouble getting jobs themselves. However, that's not the fault of the immigr
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"
430609
Are you married?  If so, do you have children?  You should have an opinion to this Immigration Reform, if not for yourself, for the future of your children and their children.  In 1985, I believe, Reagan had a similar bill pass congress allowing those illegal immigrants to stay and become citizens.  Since then, the flood gates of illegals have opened wider, 11 plus million have crossed from 1990s to 2004.  Now, we are facing yet another immigration reform, why?  Because the government didn't step up to the plate when it was time to do so and enforce the illegals from crossing over.  They allowed it, day after day, month after month, year after year.  Now they must face the music on this and do something about it.  But at who's expense?  Not the illegals, but the true Americans that struggle making ends meet.  If the American people don't step up and stop our government doing this, we might as well open the border completely and let any and all who want to come here from Mexico, Canada, and all over the world in.  It's not just Mexicans from Mexico that are here illegal.  Watch the news, they are interviewing many from all regions of the world that are here and have been here for years illegally.  I know we all come from immigrant backgrounds, unless you are a true blooded Indian from North America.  But, our forefathers before us come the legal way.  That's how these illegals should have to do.  Send them home and let them come through the proper channels.  If they had children here, send the children with them.  Just because they were born in the USA should NOT constitute them to be classified as an American citizen if in fact their parents are illegal aliens.  There's a lot to the topic that needs to be addressed and resolved for the betterment of the American people, not the American government.
771666
I'm against; but i do realize that a small portion should be given amnesty,(Speaking of only thousands, not millions) The rest should be deported back to their native land and some should be given a temporary VISA on probation to see if it would work for them to be citizens, If not, they go back too, But only people who honestly turn themselves in should be given such opportunities.\n\nAn idealist view would be to say " they're all illegal. GET THEM OUT". But in reality, that wouldn't happen.\nI just think we should stop anymore from coming but deal with the people we already have.\n\nSometimes you just have to meet in the middle.
334066
The final immigration bill will be a good one if it finds a way for all immigrants who are here now to stay legally and all who want to come here, to come here legally, with this provision: they must want to build a good, decent life for themselves and their families and must be willing to obey the laws. We can all live together. We've had a lot of experience at it. There will always be racism and human rights violations from some sources, but the good people, immigrants as well as citizens, will fight them and beat them.
1171953
I support Bush except for his Immigration ideas.  I also do not support the Senate Immigration Bill.  The people do not want this immigration enforced.  All the illegals are here for is a job and not to become citizens.  Because of this, they are driving the wages down in the U.S..  Congress needs to put this Immigration Bill to a vote on a National level.  Let the citizens decide if the illegals stay or go home.  I have a feeling that the people would vote for the illegals to leave and submit the proper documents to come here legally.  That is why we have laws and our Congress should obey them as well as every citizen who lives in the U.S.
677074
I think you could deport quite a few out of the proceeds we would save from having few illegal immigrants.  I think that is what we will be doing with the felons, etc.\n\nIf border security works to a large extent, that will let us work on the backlog over a period of time.  If the ID cards go into effect with biometric data and an enhanced database to check legal resident status, that will not only mean new illegal immigrants will have a harder time finding jobs, it will make it easier to catch current illegal immigrants who do not fit the 'qualification' status.  \n\nAs for me, I wouldn't deport the current, qualified illegal immigrants with roots.  I think we need to focus on stopping the problem going forward.  \n\nHowever, I would say that the new legal status of current illegal immigrants should not give them status to 'bootstrap' in family members.  I would say the family members could get in by other legal means including the planned legal immigration rate increase. However, if we allow the current illegal immigrants to use their new legal status to bootstrap family members in, we will be talking about 60 million people, not 12 million people.
584711
I'd definitely support legalization for someone who volunteered for combat service. If they are willing to defend this country, the least we can do is let them live here.\n\nAmnesty for illegals isn't fair, and you know it.  It is a matter of where do we want to put our resources, what do we want to live with having done, how effective would deportation be at the end of the day and at what social cost, and should we at least partly blame our government for letting these people get to the point where this is the only home they have?\n\nI don't know how to get something workable out of the Senate Bill, though. I think we may just need to start over.
630249
The shape of the guest worker program would need to be worked out in negotiation of whatever the Senate passes to combine it with what the House passed.\n\nThe President's plan would give a 'path to citizenship' for qualified illegal immigrants. (Terrorists need not apply). It is something like apply, work for 6 years (unknown if that starts now or at a historical date) and learn English.\n\nOpponents are saying that it is essentially amnesty, since there is no real punishment, and there is citizenship opportunity.  The President calls it 'earned citizenship'.  Maybe he figures having to learn English is punishment enough. Clearly the illegal immigrants will think so!
1185909
I personally have suggested that we adopt the very same laws as they have within Mexico for this country - esp after Fox came here talking about how he didn't agree with what our congress was thinking of doing on the immigration bills.\n\nDouble standards bother me - which is maybe why so many of his citizens leave.  That and the free ride that they get over here.....
603198
The problem is that in order to get a perpetual stream of low wage workers, big business has tangled the amnesty concept up in the guest worker program.  A Senator projected immigration under the guest worker program, including the increased legal immigration going forward, as bringing in an additional 217 million poor immigrants in the next 20 years on top of those already here.  There is no provision for employers to offset the impacts on schools or other services.  \n\nI think the guest worker plan in this form has to go.  I would be OK with legalizing current qualified illegal immigrants so long as I really felt the border was secure and employers could be held accountable.  I would combine the House Bill provisions on border security with the Senate Bill employer database and penalty provisions.  \n\nHowever, an increase in legal immigration assumes that we have really stopped the illegal immigration.  I think we need to make sure the border is actually secure before deciding whether and how much to increase legal immigration rates going forward.
1067873
I agree with you.. though I'm Canadian, I would support such a bill here in my country as well.  I think it's disgusting that we, as taxpayers, pay for illegals to be deported back to their countries.  I also feel that, if an illegal commits a crime, they should be returned to their country rather than my tax dollars paying for them to be imprisoned.  I don't care if they're from a country that will chop off their hands for the crime, their penis, or even capitol punishment.  If they can't do the time... they shouldn't do the crime, especially in my country.\nAlthough our immigration laws are not as lax as most US politicians would have American's believe, I still think we need to review our immigration laws in Canada and put a stop to certain types of people that are permitted to come into this country.  I know the states has a similar issue.  As far as this goes, I'm on the same page... and I think USA and Canada should combine their resources to fight illegal immigration across the Canada/USA border and the Mexican/USA border as well as illegals coming in through other methods such as ships and airports.
635040
You are forgetting one little detail--the idea is to prevent ILLEGAL immigration.  Legal immigrants are welcomed here every day, and still will be.  Why is there even a debate over this--why should one aspect of the law be OK to bend for the sake of ONE ethnic group??  Whoever thinks they are ALL coming here with innocent and angelic intent, is sadly disillusioned.  There is an illegal drug-running/immigrant "trade" going on right next door to us!!  If they are such a strong and hard-working people--why don't they work to oust the evil that is in their own country, so that theirs IS safe to live in???  \n\nI think that assisting the Border Patrol with our National Guard WILL help.  As for the folks questioning if they even have any business there--it is part of their job to GUARD the NATION after all.
334230
There was a bill just passed by the U.S were immigrants can't be in this country and anyone who hires an illegal or helps one will go to jell and fined. Now they are trying to make it a law, but there is a debate going on in the senate, they are debating over different propositions regarding if they should give illegals an amnesty,meaning they will become legal if they have been here for 5 to ten years, another one is the permit to work for six months, where after a period of a few years they will possibly be able to get there legalization,but with this permit they also have to leave after the time given and then get another permit to come back,(it's really unsure)and others I'm not aware of,  It's really ridiculous now that illegals have been here so long and have adapted to the customs of the U.S and furthermore there are millions of undocumented families and persons who have really struggled to get here to work hard and have a better life, people have lost there lives's trying to cross the border, and all they wanted was to come here to work and provide for there family, just like any other American. They just want an opportunity to make an honest living, and not live in there possibly corrupt countries where their own government fails them constantly and gives them no hope for progress.  Well this is my point of view, not to offend anyone or anything, everyone has the right to view this issue as they choose to, this is how I choose to do so and I hope it helps you at least to know one part of the issue.
608024
Not Too Bad grim reaper\n\nI Guess Im Gettin My Point Across :-)\n\nFIRST - I Would Station Troops Along The Border With AUTHORIZATION To Use Deadly Force\nTo Prevent ANY UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY Into The United States\n\nSECOND - I Would Implement The Third Provision Of HR4437 As It Is Written\n\nAnyone or any organization who “assists” an individual without documentation “to reside in or remain” in the United States knowingly or with “reckless disregard” as to the individual’s legal status would be liable for criminal penalties and five years in prison.   This could include church personnel who provide shelter or other basic needs assistance to an undocumented individual.   Property used in this act would be subject to seizure and forfeiture.\nhttp://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/HR4437.html\n\nThat Would Cover The Employers - \n5 Years In Prison And Loss Of All Assets For Hiring Illegal Aliens - NO EXCEPTIONS\n\nTHIRD - I Would Reform The HEALTH, EDUCATION, And WELFARE Systems So That Those Services Will Be Available ONLY To The CITIZENS Of The USA - EMERGENCY Services Only To All Others\n\nFOURTH  - I Would Empty The Prisons Of All ILLEGAL Aliens And Deport Them To Their Nations Of Origin\n\nFIFTH  - I Would DEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS UPON DISCOVERY\nNo Jails\nNo Judge\nNo Jury\nYou Have The Oppurtunity To Prove You Are Authorized To Be In The USA\nIf You Are NOT AUTHORIZED To Be In This Nation, You Will Be DEPORTED\n\nSIXTH - I Would ENFORCE The 14TH Amendment -\nThe key to undoing the current misinterpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment is this odd phrase\n\n"AND SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF."\n\nThe whole problem is caused by the fact that the meaning of this phrase, which was clear to anyone versed in legal language in 1868, has slipped with changes in usage. Fortunately, there is a large group of court precedents that make clear what the phrase actually means: \n\nThe Fourteenth Amendment EXCLUDES the children of aliens. (The Slaughterhouse Cases (83 U.S. 36 (1873) \n\nThe Fourteenth Amendment draws a distinction between the children of aliens and children of citizens. (Minor v. Happersett (88 U.S. 162 (1874)\n\nThe phrase "subject to the jurisdiction" REQUIRES "Direct And Immediate ALLEGIENCE" to the United States, NOT JUST PHYSICAL PRESENCE. \n(Elk v. Wilkins 112 U.S. 94 (1884)\n\nThere is NO automatic birthright citizenship in a particular case. (Wong Kim Ark Case, 169 U.S. 649 (1898) \n\nThe Supreme Court has NEVER confirmed birthright citizenship for the children of Illegal Aliens, temporary workers, and tourists. \n(Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202, 211 n.10 (1982) \n\n\nThat Would Be A START - Give Me A Little Time\n\n\n****In The Mean Time... I Would Have The Following Individuals (AMONG OTHERS) REMOVED FROM OFFICE And Tried For TREASONOUS CRIMES Against The United States Of America\n\n-- Antonio Villaraigosa \nMayor- Los Angeles, California-"\n\n-- Mario Obledo \nMexican American Legal Defense\n\n-- Art Torres \nCalifornia Democratic Party chairman - \n\n-- Jose Baca \nCalifornia State Senator - \n\n-- Richard Alatorre \nLos Angeles City Council - \n\n-- Gloria Molina \n Los Angeles County Supervisor\n\n-- Cruz Bustamante \nFormer Lt. Governor, California \n\n-- Fernando Guerra, \nProfessor, Loyola Marymount University -
329679
I wasn't sure how I felt about the boycott but after seeing the number of people who are against it and the whole immigration mess, I believe it may very well be a valid way of getting a point across. I know most people say their major beef is with ILLEGAL immigrants, however, I feel that the majority of those illegals would much rather be legal. Our and their government makes it hard. If it were so easy to fill out papers and become legal people would do it. There are many roadblocks. In the meantime while red tape is being strung across every thing in the world, they still need to work and feed themselves and be able to have a normal life, therefore, their illegal status. I don't believe that the HR 4437 bill will be as easy as it sounds.\n\nI am Mexican, born and raised here by parents who were born and raised here. My grandparents were illegal immigrants who worked, paid taxes, paid their own medical bills and were not on any form of welfare. It took MANY YEARS for my grandfather to finally get a legal status and my grandmother barely got it about 3 yrs ago, which was shortly before she died. I dont speak Spanish, dont have a loyalty to Mexico and I love my country. However, I do not think sending them all back is the answer! When my daughter who is 1/2 mexican 1/2 white asked me about staying home from school I said no. Now though, I am changing my mind about it and I believe I will let the schools lose some money by not sending my 5 kids to school. Schools that I pay taxes to help support. If everyone did that, I believe it would show just a small sliver of what could happen. Problem is I don't think everyone will.\n\nAnyway, I think it's great they're trying to find their voice. Even though they're not officially members of our country, they are still members, whether people want to acknowledge that or not. For all the good they do I believe they've earned the right to be heard. There may be many people who will say they don't want them here anyway but the silent majority (business owners) know they don't want them to leave. If the wages of the avg. American worker are being brought down because Mexican nationals will accept lower wages, think what would happen if magically they all disappeared. Sure, the wages would go up but the companies that relied on staying in business due to being able to pay lower wages will go out of business. A LOT OF THEM! That would mean the unemployment rate would skyrocket. Lines full of American workers who no longer have a place to work. There is no easy answer to this situation. I do believe there should be a system of checks and balances so that not just anyone can come here, namely terrorists. However, the Mexicans coming here to work are not terrorists and even the $$ issue can't be completely valid because there are still and will always be WAY more of us(Americans) than there are of them!
237440
I think it is great. I think 5 years is more than enough time for illegals to get their things in order and gain citizenship or leave. It's not because I think we are better than them. It's because I live in Northwest-Arkansas. And for those of you who don't know. There is a sign on the US side of the Mexican border that says "Come to Northwest-Arkansas for work" Well, that's great...because half of the people I know...can't get jobs, because illegals are taking them. How is that fair? This is the first right thing that Bush has done. Why protest it? I DO believe that illegal immigrants should have the right to the American Dream, if they gain citizenship. But when you think about it, The money that is taken out of your weekly paycheck, that is supposed to go to the Social Security Fund, (to help you and your family out later on in life) is paying for their healthcare and their housing in some cases. So, tell me, how is it fair that the people who are citizens, get to pay for the illegal immigrants' needs and get nothing in return. Do you think  there will be any money left, when it is your turn to need the Social Security money?