Informal and Quite Unscientific Poll

While I was pumping the again high-priced gasoline into my car a couple of days ago, a lady (black, presumably American) asked me what I thought of the suddenly-inflammatory illegal immigration issue. Following our accord that the laws of our land should be followed, I got the idea of asking acquaintances what they though of the issue.

One of my barbers--black American--thinks that any stengthening of illegal immigration laws or even a more active execution of the present laws would be an excuse for the police to “harass and round up Mexicans.” However, the owner of the cleaners that I’ve frequented for twelve years—a black Jamaican immigrant—takes a more thoughtful tone. He thinks that some program of limited duration should be set up to allow present illegal immigrants to register for their green cards. After the time has expired, however, he thinks that any illegals should be deported.

I’m a little ambivalent about prospect of asking any Mexican-descended acquaintances, since I don’t want such persons to think that I’m trying to “start something,” but I plan on asking one of my across-the-street neighbors—an American couple of Mexican descent--as soon as I run into one of them.

In the meantime, I’d like to find out what my readers think. Especially valuable would be opinions from those of Mexican-descent--American citizens or not--along with first-/second-generation Americans and immigrants of any heritage.

FULL DISCLOSURE: For those who don’t know, I’m a first-generation American on one side.

Comments

[Gildna Rad]

whats all this I hear about people who dont want their
schools to be Immigrated
Why I went to a school
where everyone lived in a different county !!!half of us didnt speak any languages at all and SO DID I!! for Petes sakes
If youre for Immigrated schools
restaurants and busses then you need to stay out of the un- immigrated ones thatll show em.

[ErikZ]

I just don't like how the Government is handling it. Honestly, I'd be happy with pretty much any plan as long as they enforced the damn thing.

[Ben-David]

Nobody seems to ask the obvious question:

How many workers - in various qualifications and skills - does our economy need?

If immigration quotas are set below that value, there will continue to be a problem with illegals.

Another relevant question: at what rate can we absorb and culturally assimilate people?

Bottom line: this is not, not NOT a question of "entitlements" or victimology politics. Every sovereign nation has the right - and in our days, the obligation - to regulate its borders.

There is no such thing as being too strict with those who infiltrate our border. They should receive no services, have no rights, and be deported.

On the other hand, immigration policy has to match the economic realities and allow the workers we need - whether they're Dutch computer programmers or Mexican cleaning ladies - to enter our country, and if they wish, become citizens.

[Ben-David]

- and another unfortunate aspect of the issue in our days is that many immigrants don't want to become Americans - the don't want to culturally assimilate.

This was one of the most galling things about the recent mass rally. We all know that the majority of the Mexicans coming here are escaping a dysfunctional country. The "reconquista" attitude - 'this is really our country' - is a heck of a chutzpah.

[beautifulatrocities]

Victor Davis Hanson writes persuasively in Mexifornia that the present 'system' is not just suicidal, it's immoral, exploiting young Mexican illegals & then discarding them when their bodies are shot from taking the worst most backbreaking jobs.

Enforce the immigration laws. Americans are going to pay the price one way or another. Right now, illegals are a huge net drain on the economy due to all the entitlements they & their families suck up

[Silicon valley Jim]

Two of my grandparents were born in Poland and came to the United States in about 1910. Does that make me second-generation or third-generation?

I see two valid sides here. One is that a government has a right to enforce its laws. Illegal immigration is illegal; you'd think that that tautology would be accepted, but evidently it isn't.

The other side is that failure to enforce a right (such as the right to expel illegal aliens) can, in our legal tradition, result in the forfeiture of that right; the holder of the right is said to be estopped. That's why, for example, you see signs on fences saying "Posted. No trespassing." The landowner is asserting his rights. The United States has, for a generation, not enforced its immigration laws, has, in fact, not even tried very hard to enforce them.

I believe that some accommodation must be made for the fact that immigration laws have not been enforced for such a long time. I don't know what the right accommodation is, although I think that the proposed five years to leave the country feels about right.

I'm certain about a couple of things; others may, of course, disagree. One is that we must not treat those here illegally better than those here legally who are playing by the rules in earning their citizenship. Another is that anybody residing in a country must accept that country's laws and traditions, and anybody becoming a citizen of the United States must think of himself first as an American. We have not done a very good job of insisting on these; our schools, in particular, need to do a far better job.

[Ash]

I listened to Luis Urrea, a Mexican-American with dual citizenship. I thought his ideas were pretty sensible:

1) Seal the border. Not as heartless as it sounds. The Mexicans will never truly solve their problems until they are forced to deal with all the poverty on the border themslves.

2) Allow the 11 million or so illegals that are already in the country an opportunity to "earn" citizenship. With criteria including learning to speak English, gainful employment, a clean legal record, and a few other things I can't remember right now. If after 5 years they have met these goals, then they could apply for citizenship.

Sounds pretty fair solution to me.

[Bob]

We've been through this amnetsy stuff a couple of times at least in the last wenty years. I'd round'em up finger print them this time, then push them across the nearest border.

The next time they are caught they lose a hand, the following time a foot. The fourth time their life.

My family has has several robberies and one hit and run by illegals. Enoughs enough.

[Warthog]

If they want a revolution, have it in Mexico. Their corrupt government should be overthrown, just don't go commie like Venezuela. And thank God they're not muslims!.

[ramon zuniga]

Every country has a right and a duty to secure its borders. Every country has a right to control who comes in, but not who leaves.

I think in the long run a border wall will benefit both the US and Mexico. The US border has always been an "escape valve" for Mexico.

If this "valve" is shut there will hopefully be enough pressure from within for the Mexican governent to reform.

[skinner]

Right on wart hog !!!! I lived in Elpaso Texas I know great mexican people but IT SEEMS the majority of the ones we get are meth and heroin trafficers .... And the remainder [some of them the aforementioned wives cousin nephews ETC }, came here for Oregons dont ask dont tell OREGON HEALTH PLAN and they dont come in to just do menial labor like the liberals MOUTH PEICE, all the time "theyre taking jobs from legal people who pay taxes and have S.S. #s " Ask my freinds and there sons !!! and my girlfreind Who work at the local Health clinic they come in with a Oregon Health plan card but no S.S. card @ and no drivers licence { Its the first thing they get when they come up here in droves } , and that explains WHY THEY ARE HERE , And its they're only ID my girlfreind has to get them to fill out paperwork But noone there speaks Spanish THEY GET RUDE Id love to go down there cause I speak spanish not well but jest enough BETA Then they have som many kids they cant remember there birthdays, Thats they're excuse But She has to know the sick childs birthdate in order to bill the State of Oregon and they get Pissed { when in rome do is the Romans do doesnt translate APPARRENTLY Plus they have at least 2 SURNAMES Consuelo .Maria Comacho ,Lopez Rodrigues. Tienes tres anos pero no recuerdo sus compleanos . BITE ME Then the men come in to take a piss test for a O C D L
Oregon occupational drivers license they have no S S # once again but there being hired As Illeagals to tak high paying jobs from Legal citizens by scumball companies trying to save a buck Oregon has encouraged this by free health care etc This place is growing like crazy and this is why this is happening { central OR.} This and the fact that mexican drug runners avoid I.5 and take U.S. 97..........
Do I want our current laws and the proposed actions against empoyer to be ENFORCED/ ENACTED? The sooner the better ... Its almost too late here

[Malcolm Kirkpatrick]

Value is determined by supply and demand. A world in which human life is precious is a world in which human life is scarce. Unrestricted population growth must reduce the rate at which human life trade for other goods. Other countries will not attempt the difficult task of curbing their own population growth so long as the US provides a sink into which they can dump their excess. The welfare state is incompatible with open immigration. Environmental protection is a lost cause with open immigration.

Humane ideals evolved when humans were scarce on the planet. Today there are 6 billion of us.

Build a wall. Then we will have time to consider what to do about immigration from the future (natural increase).

Sorry.

I'm English, Irish, Scots and Dutch.

[rick ponce]

gilda's right. and every country does have the right and duty to secure its borders. obviously, ours has chosen not to. "aqui se vive mejor!" ( you can live better here!)is the rallying cry of millions of immigrants, legal and illegal. can't blame them for that. now washington wants to get tough about illegal immigration. fine, they created this mess and now, they have to clean it up.and its not going to be easy, amigo.

[chronicler]

I keep hearing the argument that illegals suck up resources yet nbever hear the other side of that coin mentioned.

I have worked for years in an industry that employs the underemployed. a few observations:

1. Documentation. Employers are told they are not a policing agency; we are told to accept documents as they are presented, no questions asked. If we do ask, we can be sued for invasion of privacy (another law on our books).

2. When they are hired, they present a social security card or identity papers that has a social on it. Wages are withheld and forwarded to the social security administration. I have never had a worker complain that this money is gone, or that they'll never be able to collect it.

3. The government has never mentioned the money going into the social security fund. Why should they? It's a bonus program for them, they know someone is making deposits that will never be returned to them.

4. These workers also pay taxes on their earnings. And they file tax returns. They are paying into the system.

So where's the huge disparity in services received or paid? I believe this is rhetoric by "them" to keep the pot boiling. There is no reason to change the laws. There is no reason to make people felons because they crossed a border to work.

We need to hold the immigration departments feet to the coals and ask them why they can't do their job. It's ridiculous.

[Tully]

We need to hold the immigration departments feet to the coals and ask them why they can't do their job. It's ridiculous.

Gee, maybe that "you can't inquire or check the validity of documents" things has something to do with it.

So where's the huge disparity in services received or paid? I believe this is rhetoric by "them" to keep the pot boiling. There is no reason to change the laws. There is no reason to make people felons because they crossed a border to work.

You find some good research on the cost of benefits provided to illegals versus the economic benefits derived, do let us know. Be sure to note who's getting the economic benefits versus who's paying for the benefits used by illegals. I think that might provide a little political insight on the issue, eh?

In the meantime, what part of "illegal" is incomprehensible? I don't think border sneaks seeking better lives should be turned into automatic felons either, but you have to admit that they have committed knowing violations of the laws of our country, purposely skipping past Step One of legal entry. That kinda leaves us with three options--punish, reward, ignore. Ignore isn't helping and reward is downright idiotic. Doesn't leave much in the toolbox. You got any other tools handy? I agree that we should enforce our current laws, but first we have to stop writing laws saying we can't enforce our current laws....

[Jusin]

You find some good research on the cost of benefits provided to illegals versus the economic benefits derived, do let us know.

A good friend of mine is an economist who is doing a study on the net benefits or losses to the economy from illegal immigration. The very early conclusions that he is drawing are that there may be some small net gains from illegal immigration, but it is pretty close to being a wash (i.e., the costs and benefits to the economy offset each other overall). The gains and losses are felt on very different parts of the economy though--cheaper goods in some sectors versus overall lower wages for unskilled workers and increased demand for social services, which is what everyone inuited already. It's also pretty hard to come up with reliable data on illegals for obvious reasons, which is the main delay in releasing the study and drawing any conclusions. The working paper draft should be released in the next 3 or 4 months on SSRN, I think.

The government could pretty easily slow the flow of illegals by strictly enforcing immigration laws against employers, but no one who has the power to is willing to take that step (for now), which is what makes this issue politically interesting.

[Tully]

They've attempted to crack down on employers before, Justin. The inevitable result is a lotta calls to Congresscritters, followed by said Congresscritters leaning HARD on the INS to "quit persecuting legitimate businesses."

My point on the distribution of costs & benefits is that the costs tend to be very localized, while the benefits are very diffuse. The people who see visible benefits are the ones employing the illegals--who are themselves breaking the law by doing so.

Call any of the public hospitals in southwestern states and ask them about how illegal immigration impacts their operations. Especially their maternity wards.

[wickedpinto]

by gidna rad

whats all this I hear about people who dont want their
schools to be Immigrated
Why I went to a school
where everyone lived in a different county !!!half of us didnt speak any languages at all and SO DID I!! for Petes sakes
If youre for Immigrated schools
restaurants and busses then you need to stay out of the un- immigrated ones thatll show em.

huh?
What? and
eroo?

I'm 3rd generation, but I'm quite confident grampa never wanted to hang an italian flag over the US Flag. I'm quite confident gramma didn't want to with the german flag, and gramma(maternal) didn't care for the netherlands flag. Grampa (maternal) is a mutt who's family has been around since before 1860, and I don't think he would have taken kindly to any of those opinions, I know I don't. If all the heritage that courses through my veins were represented on a flagpole? we would need a big friggen flagpole, and having served under one flag? thats the one I love, thats the one my gramparents loved enough to leave their countries of origin, it's the one that every male in my family since my grampie's times have served. One flag, represents ALL of us, because America is an IDEA! and to cast off the idea is to ignore your citizenship. If you surrender your citizenship, even in sarcastic protest? you don't deserve it, you rotten "goobacks!"

[tioedong]

My adopted son (from Colombia) usually has to carry his passport with him to prove that he actually has an Irish name...(he always quips: I guess you guys never heard of Bernardo O'Higgins, the liberator of Chile? when they question why an obvious Metziso has an Irish name)..
Driving while Indian/Metziso anyone?
A lot of the Mexicans who come simply want to work and get decent wages. Believe me, if it were possible, there would be a couple million illegal Filippinos in the US too...
And the "la raza" types ignore Three things:
One, that Mexicans with Indian blood have no economic opportunities in that country, which is run by those with Spanish blood.
Two: That there are a lot of NON Mexican legal and illegal immigrants...I believe the number for Illegal Irish is 50,000, for example...
Three: That a lot of people with Spanish names are not "hispanic" (i.e. with Spanish ancestry) or "Latino" i.e. whites from from South America.
My Filippino husband frequently gets advertisements in Spanish, while my son is assumed to be white...Racism anyone?
Finally, did you know that the biggest celebration of the Bataan death march is held in New Mexico? The NM NationalGuard was sent to Manila in 1941...and it included Mexican Americans, American indians, Anglos, and blacks...
Offer them working programs, and citizenship, and you will have a lot of grateful new citizens...like my Filippino relatives in Chicago...

[wickedpinto]

The EASY argument about illegal Mexican's isn't racist, it's the fact that it takes a LOT more effort for Irish, or Chinese, or ninjaslavians (there is no such nationality, but even _I_ would oppose a nation of illegal Ninja's, no matter how Pro-ninja I am)

taking a jog, across the border in a group like the batefish that swim in circles when threatened by predators, in the hopes that the slow weak ones are eaten first. . ... . is NOT a noble cause. It takes EFFORT to be free.

Freedom is a LOT more than doing what you please, it's being the ONLY PERSON TO BLAME! when what you do is wrong. Thats LARGELY why I'm republican, though I don't register, or regularly vote republican. Freedom is a DUTY! to understand, accept, and RESPECT the freedom of others.

If freedom were me saying "I have the RIGHT to do this!!!" and having the government cave down on those who have a right to oppose me, that wouldn't be freedom. that would be a horrible, and autocratic caste system, it would me like the communistic efforts to FORCE people to be nice, and respectful, and SUBJUGATED because they ARE LESS! it is socialism, it is fascism.

I can take a punch from someone, but they are wrong, I can stand talk, and when they threanten those I love, I can punch them harder. Freedom is chaos, but a chaos with a final goal, that is EXCLUSIVELY darwinian, rather than eugenic.

I love freedom. I'll take my punch when I'm wrong, and I will respond to that punch when I'm right. I'm a rather notorious JERK!, but I don't have many scars, maybe america is better than we think?

[LegalEagle]

Those of you who fault the INS for lazy enforcement, remember this: Congress wrote the laws, but did not allow the funding necessary for adequate enforcement. There is inadequate funding to house the criminal aliens who should be deported right away. There is no funding (i.e., not enough manpower or jail space) to support detention and deportation of the "non-convicted as a criminal" illegal immigrant. There is no funding for resources adequate to enable private employers to detect fake documents like driver licenses and SS cards. State law enforcement are not permitted by law to detain, arrest, or imprison a person just because they do not have permission to be present in our country.If Congress, and the American people, could stomach spending enough money to adequately enforce current laws, that should be enough.

[Jason Van Steenwyk]

I command a company in the Florida Army National Guard in Miami. Most of my soldiers are latinos from all over the Americas, plus Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

Many of them are not yet citizens. And most of them have deployed to a combat zone wearing our nation's flag, despite their noncitizen status. Some of them actually shed their own blood for this country.

The idea that anyone who disregards our nation's laws and feels a sense of entitlement should receive benefits, amnesty, or consideration on anything close to an even keel to these brave men is, frankly, offensive to me.

To his credit, President Bush has proposed fast-tracking those in uniform for citizenship - a long overdue step.

I don't sit in judgement of anyone seeking to come here for a better life. And I think we should have more liberal immigration laws and quotas. We should make it easier to come here and work here - legally. Bush promised to reform the INS. He has failed.

Those who disregard our nation's laws, though, should be fined and deported. Those who knowingly hire them should face severe sanction, including prison time.

[skinner]

I agree with the above guy BUT first we need to get rid of the Meth, pot, heroin runners that I hear about everyday on the local news I SWEAR TO GOD ... every crime now on the local news has a hispanic name attached to it and this is recent news .... Like 3 yrs. old Ive lived here in Deschutes county OR. since 1980
What am I supposed to think ??? and OHH! Yes we're 150 miles from portland Or. and the majority
I get 3 of there tv stations with antenna and guess what 80% at least of the crimes they report involve a spnish surname with plenty of vowels in it We
taxpayers in Oregon NOT ONly
give them free haelthcare and welfare but we give them free housing and meals when they get caught selling drugs How much more got sent back to Mexico before they got caught? And how
Happy does this make El Presedente Fox the corrupt peice of shit CLOSE THE BORDERS ... ESCORT THE ILLEAGALS BACK AND
come up with a real policy
Amnesty to the slease bag employers who egearly have employed illeagals and let them know the gravy trains derailed they're going to federal prison from now on if they hire illeagals and demand social security card that can be varified REAL just like they do dollar bills . Any self respecting American should not vacation in France Germany Russia and NOW esecially Mexico until this Fox Prick gets overthrown or shot If our stupid government cant do it than WE CAN get a new one.

[skinner]

Oh yea and if we dont do it we'll get a new government wether we like it or not can you say
" viva la revelucion " Now Isnt that special I swear to you theres a mind set now amoungst Mexicans that no longer feels the need to asimillate in the U.S.
they feel they have an intitlment
because of the stupid chip on there sholdiers most have them have worn since the usa kicked their asses out they had no more right then we did as far as Im concerned but WE WON !!!!!!!!
This Is AMERICA Learn English
obey the rules pay taxes OR GET THE HELL OUT If youre here illegally disregard the above and just plain GET THE HELL OUT!!!

[DarkStar]

Two links on my thoughts:

http://darkstarspoutsoff.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/03/illegal_immigra.html
http://darkstarspoutsoff.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/03/spouting_off_on_1.html

My father is Jamaican.

[DarkStar]

March 28: Illegal Immigration
March 30: Spouting Off On..

[Teal Marie]

DarkStar, I read your entry on Illegal Immigration, thought it was right on the money. Why not copy it here? It's good and worth reading.

[DarkStar]

Here is DarkStar's plan:

* Build a wall along the hot spot southern border areas first. The priority goes to areas of heavy traffic and those areas where there is increasing gun fire between illegals and law enforcement.
* In the areas where illegal immigration is most problematic, stage random and heavy "INS" type raids.
* Create a fine system based on the size of a company and the number of illegal immigrants hired by that company. But, the fine should be large enough to hurt the company when they continue to break the law by hiring illegal immigrants.
* Since more companies are requiring credit checks of perspective employees, why not use that to help determine if the person seeking employment is legal or not?

* Require it of all perspective employees. That way it is an equal opportunity pain in the butt.
* The credit check should show if a social security number doesn't match a name, age, or other background information. ( A side note: The IRS knows when the information doesn't match but they don't care. They still get the tax money).

* Illegal immigrants currently in the country, if caught, should be banned from coming back for 10 years.

[DarkStar]

The Senate judiciary committee released a bill that would reward illegal immigration.

My father came to this country, legally, to gain employment and a chance at a better life. But he went through the process.

Meanwhile, when one friend was looking for work, he decided to try day laboring. He thought it would be a good way to find out who is hiring and then try to get something more long term. He went to the "unofficial" day labor pick up spots and tried to get a job. Guess what? He wasn't successful.

Another friend works with steel. He's tried to get Black men jobs but it doesn't work out. The reason? Other contractors are hiring illegal immigrants at low wages. When they bid on low cost contracts, guess who wins? So his company has to "fight fire with fire".

This really stinks.

[Tully]

Those of you who fault the INS for lazy enforcement, remember this: Congress wrote the laws, but did not allow the funding necessary for adequate enforcement.

As I pointed out, when the INS actually tries to enforce the laws against employers, same said Congresscritters come down on them like a ton of bricks. The businesses who are making the money off illegal labor don't want the laws enforced. And as the NG commander points out, many of our immigrants came here to be Americans, and are willing to put their lives on the line on behalf of this country--and do.

And as DarkStar points out, there are citizens willing to do those jobs, just not at the knock-down no-benefits-cash-under-the-table wages the exploitive employers can get illegals to do them at.

I can not find it in myself to condemn those who fight their way here to try to improve their lives. I can't even find it in myself to condemn them for using our social services, at least when they have little choice, such as with health care and education. (Claiming cash benefits is a different story.) I can only wish we develop a way for them to do so legally, for them to either come here as citizens-to-be, or as guest workers who know their stay is temporary, and who respect that.

But I have no trouble at all condemning the exploiters and facilitators that knowingly create the market for that labor and who run and utilize that flesh trade. The best of them aren't all that much better than the more benevolent plantation owners of the antebellum south, and the worst of them are little more than today's equivalent of slave traders.

[baldilocks]

Jason: One would assume that such fine young men (and women) came here using very legal means, else they wouldn't have been accepted in the military. If anyone should be on the fast track to American citizenship, it's *legal* immigrants who formally lay down their lives for this country.

However, such people are *not* the subject at hand. Illegal immigrants are the subject.

[Miss Gildna Radner { to you smarty pants}]

I agree with Mrs Baldilocks that I dont like all theses forneirs coming up here for free cheese and such!!! But if wer'e
talking about Ill Legals , Well
we should at least give them some medicine and Then tell them to get back in the buggy and point it south !!! Pronto-like
and " An De Le' , Areeba reeber"
FOR PETES SAKES

[Miss Gildna Radner { to you smarty pants}]

Sorry MISS Baldilocks
It was pointed out to me that
in my haste I wrote " MRS"
I hate it when my lap dog corrects me { Chee wa wa ]. Naturalized. Sorry and NEVER MIND!!!!!!

[Miss Gildna Radner { to you smarty pants}]

I heard that !!!!! My stupid
existence Is my own business
And I'M not going anywhere
and tne SUN isnt either Set your clocks forward and check youre Mind and fire alarms Then sit back and read the Bill Of Rights the Constitution and find WAlDO

[jmr]

My grandparents came here from Germany. They applied for citizenship, and went through what was a pretty difficult process. The other side of my family came over from Ireland in a time when the Irish were treated worse here than Mexicans ever have been. But still they did it all official-like.

These people are criminals. They snuck into the country, and many of them have done it more than once, after we've spent a lot of money sending them back across the border. It's regarded as some kind of game, and that needs to stop.

I think it's also important to recognize that we've got ourselves into a hell of a jam by ignoring the problem for so long, and a temporary amnesty is probably necessary if we're actually going to start enforcing the immigration laws. But after a short time limit, we should start deporting people, and -- this is important -- prosecuting people who are enabling these people to stay in the country in violation of the law. That means employers. If you hire illegal immigrants, you're breaking the law. All these people have jobs or they wouldn't be here -- who's paying them?

[babylonandon]

Every time I start to think thru one of these arguments about what is wrong in this country and how we can fix it, the wheel turns back around to where the problem really is: with a bunch of corrupt self-serving pirates and theives called the US Congress.

One little Representawhore even thinks she's so special that she can blow off security procedures and has the right to take punches at the folks who are just trying to protect her worthless, racist, lying, traitorous self from the assassination that she so richly deserves.

I will forever wish that third plane had hit the Capitol Building. We need to take an axe to most of these Congress scum and start over.

[Lamont Cranston]

Illegal aliens should be arrested and deported. There should be no amnesty of any kind. What they have done is a crime and they should be treated like criminals.

We should have a high concrete wall across our southern border and only allow crossings at highly secured points.

Lamont

[Lamont Cranston]

Oops, almost forgot: and anyone caught employing an illegal alien should be heavily fined.

Lamont

[Justin]

All I know is that if I were not able to support my family in Mexico, I'd be hopping the border to the US too. How many of you "they should be treated like criminals" people wouldn't do the same? I'm not saying we shouldn't enforce immigration laws, or discourage illegal immigration, but it's not hard to see why these people shouldn't be treated as felons.

[babylonandon]

With the exception of the illegals that are carrying false papers (to work and not pay taxes while using other papers to file for benefits-and I know of 4 families doing this here that I wish I could turn in!!!), I am opposed to arresting illegals indiscriminatly.

Anyone of them gets caught doing anything (if its minor we deport them and ban them from forever being legal and if its major, we jail them and then deprt and ban them forever). You don't do anything (else) illegal and I'll leave you alone.

The ones I want arrested, tried and jailed for a minimum of 10 years are the folks who hire them. Especially the rich scumbags who employ them as servants or as sweatshop workers.

Its rich dirtbags like the Kerry's and Kennedy's (and probably Bush's!!) who are defending their rights to avoid paying legal wages, taxes, and benefits to their brown slaves that are the folks screwing the rest of us over with this mess.

I'd be willing to pay $20 for a chicken and $10 for a head of lettuce to end this situation. I would be ahead of the game comparing to what these pirates are taxing me to give benefits to support the wage slaves they are importing.

[Theresa]

Go to the below website and sign the petition if you honestly believe we need a wall to stop the flow of illegals.

http://www.weneedafence.com

The below website has a list of all the feckless two faced leadership who need to wake up and adhere to the will of the people. Tell your overpaid, underworked, getting rich on our tax dollar reps how you feel about this issue:

http://www.congress.org

This is an election year. Make your voice heard and lets start taking our "power" back from our "elected" reps. They have abused it long enough.