Immigration: All the children sing

"Broken borders" "Amnesty, the opponents of all this derisvely call it" Didn't we all go through this years ago, when the gov't did grant an amnesty? We should have some pity for the children caught in this mess, but we still have to pay cognizance to the laws we enacted to control this. Are we supposed to accept all of the parents of these children into the country as citizens simply because they illegally entered this country before these chilldren were born on U.S. soil and are now deemed to be citizens because of their place of birth?

Mark, Mark, Mark, what an absolute piece of trash this is. Pure BS in the purest sense that BS can be. Shameful, ridiculous reporting and writing.
Item 1: "Many millions of their parents arrived here undocumented -- illegally, we are reminded by the least forgiving of our readers."
If someone enters a store when it is closed, the doors are locked, do we call that "an accidental entrance?" If someone were to break into one's home, do we call them "uninvited guests?" If someone were to rape your daughter, do we call that person a "hoped-to-be boyfriend?"
Sorry for the personal reference, but perhaps it'll wake you up.
When someone breaks into a closed store, it is illegal.
When someone breaks into one's home, it is illegal.
When someone attacks and violates a woman, it is illegal.
WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS A COUNTRY WRONGFULLY, IT IS ILLEGAL!
Understand?
Item 2: "The more sympathetic voices have been drowned out lately by a chorus of reactionary revolt, a fear for a nation changing."
No, sorry, not the case! It is NOT WRONG for American citizens wanting those entering this country to do so legally! If they come here through the proper channels, then welcome aboard! God Bless ya! I hope you have a happy and prosperous life!
Item 3: "Tonight, as we slowly draw on a Cuban cigar that arrived here undocumented as well." Shame on you! Smoking! Bad Mark Silva, bad! And smoking an illegal cigar to boot! Funny, though, how you have no problem doing something you want to do without government infringement.
Item 4: "In the effort to appease critics, lawmakers have asserted that none of this will benefit the illegal, the children. That's a sad sentiment, a regrettable line in the sand."
Yes, and California is on the verge of bankruptcy in part because of the runaway health care costs for illegal immigrants. Ooops, sorry, undocumented workers or aliens.
Mark, us "fear-mongering," "unforgiving" folk just want the borders to be enforced as they should be. That is the responsibility of the federal government, not nationalized health care. We want the immigration laws enforced, not winked at and looked the other way.
We want people to come to this country legally, not illegally. Just as the Poles, the Romanians, the Czechs, the Koreans, the Vietnamese came here legally. No one wants to deny someone the American Dream, but do so LEGALLY, just like the other immigrants. You want a work permit to work in the U.S. during harvest season, then apply for a work permit so you can work in this country and live here LEGALLY.
If you want to live here full time and become a citizen, then do so through the proper channels. And that goes for the kids too.
It is not being mean. It is not being unforgiving, It is being compassionate and fair that ALL people who want to live and work in the U.S. do it the right way.

It's good to know that some people are completely reliable. And the Romeo y Julieta, too, a good smoke.

Because they are not eligible for Social Security and welfare (even though taxes are withheld from those with taxpayer id numbers or social security numbers), a large sector of "illegals" pay taxes in but never derive a benefit in return.

In addition, they contribute to aggregate demand: they buy food, rent apartments, buy appliances, cars, merchandise, etc.

And, dear to the hearts of all Replicans: they help depress the cost of labor.

Nice when you need landscapers for your estate and golf course, housekeepers, nannies, orderlies at the hospital, waiters at the country club....

Don't look for Replicans to be giving any of this up any time soon....

Immigration is for law abiding people. Immigration reform is for criminals. There is legal immigration and there is illegal gate crashing. Both produce cute kids. We are still a nation of laws--or else all is chaos. We are close to chaos now. Why didn't the gatecrashers come in the legal way? Who do they think they are breaking our laws then wanting sympathy and open arms? What does that say about how they will respect other laws in our country? I don't want others giving our country away to people with bad lawbreaking values. I'd like law abiding immigrants here who wait in line like my family did years ago. My family didn't think they were too good. They were lucky to follow the laws and to wait in line to become citizens. They were not sneaks. Do the illegals think they are better than others who wait in line? Do they just take what they want, then cry about bias later? We are the victims of the gate crashing lawbreakers-- those taking without acting according to our law. I'm OK with immigration changing us as long as it has been done legally--instead of being crammed down our throats by the millions sneaking in, then laying claim to and demanding our rights and privileges. I really can not stand a thief--no matter how cute their children. It's not fear on our part. It's respect for the hard fought-for benefits of being an American and not liking those crashers who want to easily take, take, take. It's not fear, it's protection of limited resources--our resources. It's not fear--it's calling out all criminals that we don't want them in our society or our lives. Those wanting to give their children a better life in America need to come to America the legal way. I welcome all legal immigrants who waited in line and whose first act on American soil was not an illegal act.

And, yet, Mark STILL doesn't get it! Why am I NOT surprised?

If people think the whackjob Republican Teabagger goons actions were repulsive during the nomination process for Justice Sonia Sototmayor, they haven't seen anything yet.

Wait until we get fully into the Immigration reform talks in the coming months. The right wing rubes will take off their white sheets and repulse everyone by showing off their true racist character, you watch.

What, no Panama Red with you smoke?

Mark why don't you spend a year living in Southern California.

Mexico has been imported north. Along with roosters that crow all hours of the day. 5 or 6 families living in the house next to you all with cars. The garage is an apartment, and the day laborer that rents it has a mastiff or pit bull that he lets run loose around the neighborhood attacking 12 year old girls. Taco stands pop up in the front yard. Music blares all weekend long, every weekend. If you are in an accident, they don't have insurance. The children you speak of don't speak English so your child suffers, because 60% of the class speak English as a Second language. They beat up your kid, because he looks different. Or, the gang shoots him dead because they thought that he was a gang member. Or, they just needed to kill someone for a gang initiation. If your wife walks by a group, they make lude remarks and gestures, so she lives in fear. They urinate in your front yard. Not so romantic when your neighborhood is invaded and they bring Mexico to you.

If we don't enforce our nation's borders to protect our neighborhoods, why should anybody respect the law? These people don't respect our law. They don't pay taxes; they don't pay sales taxes, because they shop at swap meets. They don't care about city codes: see the 5 or 6 familes in one house and the garage apartment above.

I have seen all the things I mentioned happen. You don't know what you are talking about. Immigration is one thing and invasion of MILLIONS from a neighboring country whose government is corrupt and creates a peasant class is another. Maybe if we stopped being co-dependants with Mexico's corrupt politicians the people would demand change and they would all have real hope and freedom. They have the same resources we do; the problem is their government.

Of Saints and Sinners

I don’t know how often Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi prays but her prayer to St. Joseph to get him to intervene on the side of Obamacare seems very misdirected. In the Catholic tradition, St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, not of lost causes. Desperate and lost causes are the province of St. Jude Thaddeus.

Perhaps Speaker Pelosi was thinking of Rep. Joseph (Joe) Wilson (R, SC) when she prayed for an intercession by St. Joseph since on the same day she was praying President Obama was proving Joe Wilson right.

The reader may remember Joe from last September when he committed a gross breach of congressional decorum and etiquette by loudly contradicting the president during a speech on Obamacare to a Joint Session of Congress.

Obama had just finished saying, “There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,” when Wilson yelled from his seat, “You lie!”

Anyone who would care to reminisce on that sweet moment in history can . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=1574)

Dragging out "What about the children?" is beneath you, and I normally agree with your articles. We either have to open up the borders for all illegal immigrants or enforce the existing laws. Maybe some of the children have a legal resident or relative to stay with while their parents become legal. Maybe we need to ease the requirements for citizenship, but you're talking about a loose cannon here.

RELIABLE, YEP. POETIC LIBERAL DOGMA SPUN AS NEWS. YEP, RELIABLE.

Mark, let me shed some light on my legal immigration to Canada has been like:

First, it will cost me about $2,000 in government fees alone.

It will take about 18 months to finalize, and durring at least 12 monhs of that time, I will be forbade to work. Let's just say, for simplicity's sake, that year costs the average person $40,000.

I will then be given classes to learn French (in QC), which will last 6 months.

Durring this time, I have to constantly update my visa and other documents, so that the government knows where I am at all times. Technically, right now, I am just a visitor up here, even though I married a Quebecois.

If all goes well, I will get my Perminent Residence card up here, which will still bar me from voting, (and possibly serving in the armed forces), but besides that, I will have most of teh other rights. Oh, it also bars me from collecting any government aid, and my sponcer (wife) is contractually obligated to provide for me, if I can not pay for things. This lasts 3 years for spousal sponcerships.

Also, this whole process meteres who is comming in and out of the country. It takes the burdon off from the governments entitelments and social programs. It affects the workforce only to the degree that the government allows it to. It helps to integrate the immigrants into the host's society. In fact, it is nearly impossible to immigrate into Canada without speaking either English or French.

For the US's problem: I would have no problem with deportation, but it would be cost prohibitive. So, if a tax penalty is used, I wouldn't bat an eyelash if it were $20K per adult. Many of these Mexican's are sending money back to their extended family in Mexico, and thus have teh extra money to put towards a legal immigration reform penalty.

Sure, it is a sad situation, and as Vivian said, both sides make cute kids, but I would ask you.....who created this situation? It was not the US government, it was not the US citizens, but rather, it was the Mexicans that decided to break the US laws. I also think a $10K penalty would be enough to scare the Mexican's in Mexico that are thinking of crossing illegally, into thinking twice about it. $10K would be an almost infathamable amount of money for a destitute in Mexico. So, suffice to say, it would also serve as a deterent, as well as a substantial revenue device for the govenerment.

What is the argument here??! every single alien "BROKE THE LAW!" Our Government, past & present, Republican & Democrat, have allowed the invasion of 20 to 30 million criminals and uneducated peons which is the largest invasion of any Nation, at any time, by any means & in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution.

This refusal to abide by our Constitution or enforce our Immigration Laws should be classified as Treason of the most foul kind, & as grounds for impeachment & trials for Treason!

Not only have they allowed the invasion, they force American tax payers to pay Billions on Billions of dollars to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders numerous children, and free medical care, at the same time the invading horde break numerous laws and massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture and standard of living while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Canada's a nice place. It's hard to get into Switzerland, too. Neither one of them represents, to the world, what the United States does.

With 15 million Americans unemployed this is an important issue. Nativeborn Americans hold 47% of all farm jobs, 75% of all janitor jobs, 55% maids and housekeepers, 63% meat processors and landscapers. The criminal illegal aliens are hurting American workers and it is not just wrong, it's damned wrong.
There was a popular song for workers,'Take this job and shove it'. For the last 24 years our leaders, Republican and Democrat, our corporations and foreign unions like SEIU, racist groups like La Raza, MALDEF and SPLC have changed the words to 'Take this job and lose it'. Come November we're gonna make sure that some of these damned traitors lose THEIR jobs.
We need to deport the felon illegal alien job thiefs as well as the new welfare queens.

Illegal immigration has been going on since the first person set foot on this land. I can remember my grandmother complaining about it in the 60's. I have a feeling in the year 3000 there will be the same arguments.

Because Republicans idolize Reagan, maybe they will go back to his solution and adopt that again? Oh, that's right, his Immigration Reform and Control Act was supposed to fix illegal immigration once and for all. Then explain why are we back here again 22 years later?

Mark, Mark, Mark, what an absolute piece of trash this is. Pure BS in the purest sense that BS can be. Shameful, ridiculous reporting and writing. - John D
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Johnny,

And yet you keep coming back, over and over and over again. You're either a masochist or an idiot, or as I suspect based on your rants, both.

My grandparents came to the US before there were restrictions on immigration. That's true of everybody whose ancestors immigrated before 1920 (a span of about 400 years, by the way!)
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So it would be dishonest of anybody like me to be too outraged about illegal aliens. And yet some are. Go figure.
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PS to Silva: What's with the royal 'we'?

What does this say to the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who are going through the legal steps to become citizens of this country...and for all of our parents or ancestors who went through this process...legally? The politicians now want to trash the people who worked within the rules.

THE CHILDREN learn by example that one does NOT have to obey or follow the law. Look at the performance of these children in school today. Not up to any measurable standard. What kind of "Village" are we allowing to be established? That of illiterate people who do not follow the law.

We = me and my Cuban. Above, the march of the intolerant marches on -- have nice days in church tomorrow.

Well, what do you know? I pretty much agree with (non)Xcellentform.
Mark, for your information, by a clear majority Americans do not believe in amnesty, Americans believe that the immigration laws should be enforced and Americans believe the borders should be protected. That includes a nice chunk of Democrats, a majority of independents and a majority of Republicans.

If we need immigrants, bring in the legal ones, who have respected our laws, our people and our nation by following the rules, and who wait 10 years to get in.

Amnesty = racism

According to the DHS and La Raza, almost all foreigners in this country illegally are Hispanic.

Why should lawbreaking Hispanics have preferential immigration treatment over law abiding people of all other races?

Why should Hispanic Americans have a greater right to family reunification with their law breaking relatives, in terms of numbers allowed in, timing of arrival, and conditions of entry, than Americans of all other races and ethnic groups have for for their law abiding relative trying to immigrate here?

Why should lawbreaking illegal immigrants be above our laws?

Illegal entry.. 1st offense= misdemeanor, 2nd = felony
ID theft = felony
Document Fraud = felony
Tax Evasion = felony

The amnesty bill is asking for immunity from criminal prosecution for those crimes... for illegal immigrants only! If an American or legal immigrant commits those acts, they go to jail for a long time.

No one in America is above the law. No one.

The "wisdom" of Mark Silva: Above, the march of the intolerant marches on -- have nice days in church tomorrow.

First of all, Mark, religious and NONreligious folk believe the laws should be enforced.
Second, it is NOT intolerant to want the laws enforced. What part of that do you not understand?? It is NOT intolerant to want the borders protected.
As I CLEARLY stated (well, clear enough for most with an IQ above 90 to understand) I and MOST Americans have no problems whatsoever with people coming to this country LEGALLY!
What part of that do you NOT understand?
And, finally, Mark, perhaps you should begin attending church. You actually MIGHT learn something and have your eyes opened. Perhaps some day you should talk with Lee Strobel. He is a rarity: a liberal journalist who actually has an open mind!

@ the hon. senator dirksen
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My paternal grandfather was a semi literate blacksmith (a trade already obsolete) when he came to the US. His younger brother (an army deserter) was on the run from the law when he arrived a few years afterward.
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About 100 years later, the descendants of these 2 'losers' include physicists,carpenters, medical doctors, plumbers, musicians, auto mechanics, writers, clergy, police officers and visual artists. Productive citizens, all. In short, American culture and wealth has grown some because these two simple supposed undesirables (who would not be permitted to enter today) set their roots here. You argument doesn't wash.
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@ John D:
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Madison warned us to beware the tyranny of the majority. He was right.

Mark, exactly how tolerant is the Mexican government? How tolerant are the people that you are romanticizing? They aren't tolerant at all. Ever hear the saying "VIva la Raza'? You know what is means: Long live the race. You are a fool.

HHH posted:
Wait until we get fully into the Immigration reform talks in the coming months. The right wing rubes will take off their white sheets and repulse everyone by showing off their true racist character, you watch.
~~~~~
those white hooded costumes are spray-painted on. Even dunk tanks filled with lavender scented mineral spirits cannot remove whats so deeply embedded.

Those pasty white male middle-age r-con chubsters have a pathological fear of anyone who isn't "like us" as they put it.

~~~~

Good news: Walk-in clinics are open on weekends and can bandage those scraped knuckles of yours.

Johnny D,

You keep coming back. Isn't that the definition of insanity?

I'm not sure if your screeching is from intolerance or incontinence.

Not very tolerant comments from the holier than thou "tolerant ones."

So, you tolerant ones believe that people should allow laws to be broken, invasions of millions of foreign nationals to occur, whole cities, neighborhoods to be invaded and if you don't like the fact that these people are stealing the services that you and your fellow citizens paid for with your very high tax dollars, you're intolerant. SURE OK.

Can somebody show me in the Constitution where it says that illegal that has a baby here makes that baby a automatic citizen. It doesn't happen anywhere else that I know of and if you say it does bring the proof. And proof is not what a blogger or a newspaper says so me what the country says. If the parents broke the law by coming here illegally they and their kids should be shipped out. Easy, I don't care what country they're from that makes no difference at all. Now I will wait for a bleeding heart liberal to call me a racist. A liberal calling someone a racist has become The Boy That Cried Wolf.

So much ignorance. So little time.

Replicans have structured the immigration laws, not to deflect illegal immigration, but to create an illegal underclass.

12 + million to server as their landscapers on their estates and golf courses, waiters in their country clubs, cooks, housekeepers and nannies in their McMansions, workers in their non-union foundries, fabricating plants, garment factories, etc. etc.

People who can't legalize and can't leave the US because they'll be kept out for 10 years if they try to re-enter.

Can't legalize even if they marry Jenna Bush.

So: a true underclass: hard-working, easily intimidated, willing to work with out any benefits whatsoever.

Replican Utopia; workers' Dystopia.

I'm surprised the anchor baby canard hasn't come up.

Because they can't petition for any relative until they reach age 21, and no one plans life that far in advance?

Or because some of the most illustrious Americans have been "anchor babies"?

Like that little guy who died last year at the age of 99?

You remember. Obits called him the greatest surgeon who ever operated.

Anchor baby Michael DeBakey, M.D.

Yup yall that dont be likin minorities am all Rasicm wha wha huh they all is talkin bout mesicans? Oh hell naw they gots to go. shoot they be shootin mo than the brothas

Mark, exactly how tolerant is the Mexican government? How tolerant are the people that you are romanticizing? They aren't tolerant at all. Ever hear the saying "VIva la Raza'? You know what is means: Long live the race. You are a fool.

They are our next door neighbors. We slaughtered millions of natives to have this land, and now we can't share it with people who would risk their life to work? That is a morally wretched idea. You would have to think a lot of yourself to believe that you deserve to live in America more than anyone else/ What makes your white trash genealogy so special, slave masters and refugees of the world wars and famines in Europe? At least Mexico has a culture to recognize. You'll have to gas up and go to Wal Mart to find out what makes you happy, Jethros of the Internet.

Adam while I do enjoy a taco now and then, are you trying to compare the achievements of Hispanics or any other race to that of Europeans? The achievements of my forefathers in the last 100yrs alone will never be matched by all other races combined. Europeans are the smartest people to ever walk the earth. Its not racism its just fact

If we have the money for all the bailouts, for healthcare, and the like. Then we should find the money for our immigration problems. And our problems are not going to be solved by Shumer, and Graham and McCain, our problems will be solved when we DEPORT them. But I'm afraid that there is no one in Congress with any gonads or guts to push for this because they're afraid they will not be re-elected. And with our Socalist President about to grant "General Amnesty" I feel were going to a place in history that is not going to be good for the country.

"Deport" 12+ million?

It's a little late for that.

Replicans controlled Congress 1995-07, Bush was in WH until 1/20/09

Didn't do any deporting.

So you know that's not going to happen.

JUST AMEND THE 1986 IMMIGRATION CONTROL & REFORM ACT? WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER EXPENSIVE BILL.

The administration had better take notice of the American people, specially in border states that have been invaded by illegal trespassers. That is not saying that a hundred percent of illegal alien families that have poured across our sovereignty fence line Millions of other law breakers have either thrown away their return airline tickets, or just let their entry visa expired to take up illegal residents here. None of this should be tolerated? If it was in my power I would implement Mexico's strict immigration laws, which are--ENFORCED Unlike our country, that has been jettisoned by years of greed. Politicians have remained the lap-dogs of corporate welfare, even as they play lip-service to pacify the people who have urged physical enforcement through many Presidents. Unfortunately if Amnesty gets the votes, E-Verify, local police detainment, ICE raids and everything else in the enforcement arsenal, will become obsolete. Those already here can then bring in their extended family, which mean just calculating the numbers already here and it will at least triple.. And before the CIR is even signed millions more will try to to dodge detection and will become the next layers of illegal immigrants, who will bankrupt every state and county looking for free handouts. We need superior skilled workers, not people that end up in the welfare line or on church doorsteps. IF AMNESTY PASSES, FAMILY UNIFICATION WILL BRING INTO THIS COUNTRY IRREVERSIBLE MILLIONS MORE. SOMEWHERE IN ACCESS OF 60 TO 70 MILLION.

America is in crisis mode, from the unceasing flow of destitute foreigners who have swamped the welfare system. Proponents keep repeating that their-ONLY-here to work, "Jobs Americans wont do..?" It's proved to be a bitter lie.This has just been pure propaganda by just noting the sudden appearance of US citizens and residents for vacant jobs. Shown after the raids at meat packing plants in the hinterland. It's been repeated time and again, that Americans cannot survive on the pittances that greedy businesses will pay illegal hiring.

I don't know how the Amnesty is going to go over should it pass, as out-of-work Americans might turn ugly. For sure all Democrats and Republics will be sacrificed, at the midterm and in November elections Any kind of pardon for people who ignored our laws, could cause unrest and even riots of millions of Americans, before they march on Washington. When 15 million Americans have lost their jobs with no ending in sight and cannot put food on the table for their kids and spouses it might cause massive protests The population are seething with anger over health care, an illegal US census, which enumerates illegal immigrants who should not even be here? Then we have this Amnesty travesty, that will give an absolutely free reward to people who ignored the "Rule of Law". Those who have a right by birth to be here, or by the generosity of THE PEOPLE are allowed to immigrate here. But illegal immigrants are allowed to give the finger, yet given a golden stipend. For the same violation Americans would be imprisoned for breaking the law in Mexico or other countries

Even industrialized nations have no leniency for people who shun the law. Politicians--our elected civil servants are supposedly acting in the name of the majority of the American people. When in actual fact, they enact laws on behalf wealthy businessmen, who can pay them the most money. It should be remembered that this clump of mostly corrupt legislators were attorneys, before they joined the wolf pack in Washington. They may have had sincere intentions, to originally carry out the publics wishes. But somewhere down the line they were corrupted by the lobbyists, swarming by the cartload on the Capitol buildings like copious flies, their wallets stuffed with money and favors? Only Americans and legal residents should have a right to assemble, not foreign nationals in rallies demanding rights. Its a sure to infuriate the millions who have waited years patiently to receive an entry visa.

They are probably are asking themselves why bother with laws, when you can slip through a non-existing fence in some places. Perhaps they should recognize, that they don't have to cringe in the shadows, because they didn't violate the immigration laws. We have become soft as a nation and have let the business community and open border groups intimidate us. Its not these entities that pay for these people that they hire? Its the American taxpayers who carries the the whole and complete financial weight of the extra subsistence for these illegal aliens. Join this historic war against unrestrained illegal immigration, DIMINISHING RESOURCES, CROWDED HIGHWAYS, FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE, OVERPOPULATION GROWTH at numbersusa.dot.com.(millions have?) Discover the corruption in Washington at judicialwatch.dot.org. Make your vote known at the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121

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Posted by: ornery | March 20, 2010 11:55 PM
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DeBakey wasn’t an “anchor baby.” His parents immigrated legally, in which case they didn’t need a child to be a natural born citizen to “anchor” them to the U.S. A search of the internet discloses that you are the only person who thinks DeBakey was an anchor baby. Please find a better example of a famous “anchor baby” and/or stop peppering us with your B.S.

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Posted by: Reality Czech | March 20, 2010 12:12 PM
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The fact that your grandfather and his brother came here legally means that your argument doesn't wash either. They obeyed the law. The same cannot be said for millions of people here.
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We have laws for a reason. Regardless of how we ultimately resolve this issue (assuming there ever will be a resolution), refusing to uphold the rule of law cannot be the path forward. When the government refuses to uphold laws, or becomes selective in its enforcement, then we are guided by the arbitrary decisions of individuals rather than the laws enacted by government. American citizens have the right to expect the government will enforce the laws. Federal officers from the President on down are sworn to enforce the law.
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What we need to do is resolve the hypocrisy the U.S. is engaging in right now. If U.S. agricultural and industrial concerns need immigrant labor to operate their businesses (because Americans are too lazy or indignant to perform the necessary work), then we have to accommodate them. We have to allow immigrant workers to live and work here if they are gainfully employed and do not pose a risk of criminal behavior. In the alternative, we have to prosecute all businesses that use illegal immigrant labor and send all the illegal immigrants home. What we cannot do is hypocritically maintain the status quo in which our spotty enforcement encourages illegal Mexican immigrants to come here while we simultaneously persecute them.
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What we don't have to do is offer illegal entrants a path to citizenship. We can accommodate American businesses and Mexican workers by establishing a guest worker program that allows those without criminal histories to stay and work for a given amount of time - and deport the rest. Giving them citizenship and all the other social perks goes too far. It would richly reward them for flouting our laws, and it would unfairly give them precedence over all other immigrants who followed the rules, waited their turn, and came here legally. If we want to be fair to immigrants we have to treat them all the same.

Mark, you will find that some of the loudest voices against illegals are the ones that have immigrated legally. It is a difficult process with a great reward.

In Canada, if you had a DUI on your record, you very well might get rejected.

John W & D,

I'm glad we all seem to agree on this topic, but please, refer back to this the next time you claim that I am not an independent.

Dr. DeBakey's parents were Lebanese immigrants.

There was no quota system and no Nationality Act and so they just came and settled in Louisiana.

In other words, no visa.

If they did that today, with no visa, John W would be blasting them as conniving illegal aliens who dared to have a child born in Louisiana, the future Dr. DeBakey, so, 21 years later, he could petition for them as parents of a US Citizen.

Correction: If they did that today, they steal someone's SS number, pay no taxes, wire money out of the country to support relatives because their country has no opportunities due to socialism and political corruption. Meanwhile the US government props up the corrupt government with billions of dollars of aid that goes directly to the leaders that keep their people uneducated. What a great system Huh?

Wrong, free to watch.

The majority of those here "illegally" have taxpayer identification numbers (given out by IRS to help collect revenue) and pay taxes under those numbers.

Some do have real social security numbers, which formerly were given to students and visitors. They pay taxes under those numbers as well.

And they don't get any benefits in return. No retirement, no medicare.

So go peddle ignorance somewhere else.

Correction: I meant to address Free to Watch.

By the way, FTW, I think it was the Party of No that melted down over the weekend.

Americans will remember that performance when they have to make a major claim on a health insurance policy.

Ornery, IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, you cannot LEGALLY get a SS number. You also cannot legally be hired. So they buy fakes and then they can receive up to $5,657 back from US. See the Earned Income Credit below...

Sorry old dude, but it's you that is spreading false beliefs. You cannot get a SS# if you are illegal. See, I know all about illegals and how they game the system. They actually can do pretty well, if they don't get caught. What this article in the liberal NYT doesn't tell you is that they can recieve a nice big fat tax refund for Earned Income Credit. You of course knew about that, right?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/05/business/05immigration.html

Currently available for about $150 on street corners in just about any immigrant neighborhood in California, a typical fake ID package includes a green card and a Social Security card. It provides cover for employers, who, if asked, can plausibly assert that they believe all their workers are legal. It also means that workers must be paid by the book - with payroll tax deductions.

The requirements are strict not only to obtain a driver’s license but to obtain a social security number as well. The Social Security Administration issues three different types of social security cards. The first type is given to U.S. citizens and immigrants lawfully residing in the United States. This document includes the bearer's name and social security number. The second type is granted to individuals who are only authorized to work on a temporary basis and with DHS authorization. This card specifically states “valid for work only with DHS authorization.” The final card is issued to foreigners for non-work purposes and states “not valid for employment.” The requirements to obtain a social security number for work purposes are that the applicant must be either a citizen of the United States or a permanent U.S. resident (Green Card holder). Immigrants must be able to show that they are authorized to live and work in the United States in order to obtain certain documentation. Those with work authorization include refugees, asylums, officials from foreign governments, NATO personnel and representatives of international organizations. The list is extensive so it's important to check work eligibility. In addition, the applicant must show proof of age and identity. Documentation that can be used to prove age and identity include passports, birth certificates, hospital records, driver's licenses, marriage records, and documentation from the USCIS (formerly known as the INS or Immigration and Naturalization Service). A similar process must be undergone in order to obtain a non-work social security number.

So, illegals pay SS taxes and Medicare, but if they have a fake SS# they can file for the earned income tax credit which will pay them back all the SS taxes and more as you can see from the table below.

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:
• $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
• $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $13,440 ($18,440 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
Tax Year 2009 maximum credit:
• $5,657 with three or more qualifying children
• $5,028 with two qualifying children
• $3,043 with one qualifying child
• $457 with no qualifying children