I guess you had to be there. I caught just a few minutes of President Obama’s remarks yesterday, given with President Calderon of Mexico. I am a frequent critic of Obama, yet I heard some words on immigration that might work as a place to start on dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants now living in the U.S.
“The third thing we have to do is to make sure that those who have come to this country illegally are held accountable. And that means they need to pay a fine, they need to pay back taxes. I believe they should learn English. I believe that it is important for them to get to the back of the line and not in the front, but that we create a pathway so that they have an opportunity, if they are following the rules, following the law, to become legal residents and ultimately citizens of this country.”
I keep waiting to see this part of his statement noted in the news. So far, not much.
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“if they are following the rules, following the law,”
That is just the point – the illegals are NOT following the laws! Their first step into this country is against the law and then they proceed to break many more, such as ID theft or fraud, working when they are not supposed to, not paying taxes, etc, etc. How many broken laws is enough for our gov’t to enforce the laws and make those who break them face punishment, which according to the LAW, is deportation. Why do millions of people breaking so many laws deserve a “pathway”? Just call it what it is….amnesty. And amnesty will never pass again!
OK, but tell me, have you ever broken a law? Have you hired someone under the table (perhaps one of these illegal workers)?Do you have any illegally downloaded songs or copied CD’s? Do any experimenting with drugs in college? Maybe you can answer no to all these questions, but many making your argument cannot. In their position, many of us would make the same choices these workers have. There are many reasons to deal with immigration, but it’s not as simple as law and order. Our economy depends on this cheap labor, which is cheap because it’s illegal–and many of the workers are exploited, domestic wages may be depressed, and we experience brain drain because desirable workers are caught up in the anti-immigration political fight. At least, I wish people seemed to be as upset with the employers as the workers–they’re breaking the law, too.
I recently had a conversation with an American of Mexican descent. This young woman’s grandparents are/were illegals in the US as were her parents, I think. The conversation was interesting because this young woman, born in US really claims to be Mexican. Personally, I think that attitude is born from not coming into our country legally and participating in a process that teaches immigrants about the US and it’s history. I think fines, money, etc. is not really the issue. The majority of people I have talked to primarily object to illegal alien’s attitude of entitlement and ownership of our country.
When Presidente Calderon reforms Mexico’s harsh immigration policy, then and only then, can he speak in regards to U.S. immigration policy.
The same is true for many other nations and their immigration laws. The U.S. does pretty good in comparison.
The only thing I hate about these 3 people here vvv.
Is that they are not realizing that, ok yes, there are illiegals who are actually making this country crap. But there are millions as well who have actually come here to get away from there country. Maybe because of wars, laws or anything. They have come here because we are the land of the free. They came here for a better life!
You also push away the fact that none of you three are pure AMERICAN. No one is pure American, as America was a country that people from EVERY WHERE came to. The only true Americans as I see it are the natives.
All three of you, maybe you know it or not, are mixed. Whether it German, English, French. You are not pure Americans.
Also, you just see immigrants as Mexicans or Iraqis. But there is immigrants from everywhere, just like there were all those years ago. There are British, Irish, German, you name it, they have all come here for a better life.
I think what Obama is doing is brilliant. It should be easier, obviously still give each person a real back ground. Keep an eye on them for a couple of years, and if they seem good people, give them citizenship. If they break a law in those 2 years, they are instantly thrown out and can’t come back it. Yes it should be easier but at the same time, if you ruin your chance your out, that’s your fault.
Anyway, my comment has become longer than this post, so I will stop now. But give them a chance people. Remember America was built on immigration. Thank you for your time.
James – American but with British, Irish and German <3
For all those self-righteous supposed “native” Americans, you’re not. Those “native” Americans originally came for Asia, over the Alaskan land-bridge. Mexicans, attempting to claim purity sound about as laughable as the Nazi Germans with their Aryan race crap.
The system needs reformation, not amnesty. That was a failure 20 years ago. The President, Congress, the Judiciary, and all the alphabet agencies seem to have forgotten their primary Constitutional mandate: “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and sure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
Think of the Constitution as a contract. Each signatory has their mandated duties and responsibilities. What the happens when one side breaches said contract? Failure to enforce the law is tantamount to dissolution thereof.
I feel sorry for those who’ve entered the system legally and responsibly, only to have their efforts essentially made fool-hardy.
When people come here in ancient times and they are the first to arrive, they are the natives you buffoon. Jethro, imagine if Palestine was our neighbor to the South. We would be dealing with suicide bombers not dishwashers or cotton field workers providing for their family. Just take that into serious consideration before you try to act like this land wasn’t stolen from the real Native Americans by immigrants ( by force no less ).
All you bigots that are supporting this arizona (non-capitalized on purpose) law are the same people that loved having separate bathrooms and utilities for blacks before it was outlawed by the Federal Government of this Great Nation. Those idiots on the border of arizona and Mexico buying up land and shooting immigrants when they cross into it, remember that those people killed might just have a big brother in the Mexican Military that is an excellent sniper. Just take that into consideration Jethro, before you do something stupid.
Did I make mistake coming to America legally? Think about it if you think to make illegal to Legal.
I came in this country in 2004 on student visa . I paid $40,000 tuition fees for my Master , M.S Computer Science Degree. I had Master in Computer Management and Master Diploma in Business Administration before I came here. In 2006 I got Work Permit to work legally in USA and show my skills and help America to take to next stage. My wife cannot work here. I am waiting for Priority Date to become current. I don’t know when it is going to happen. I don’t see that as per the current queue that is going to happen soon. I am waiting for 4 years for my Green Card. It is long way to go. People came illegally to this county and they don’t have good skills that we have. If they get path to citizenship then What mistake we did coming to America legally. I want to work for American company. To show my skills and caliber which will helpful to America. Tell me did I make mistake? I should go back to my country with all the technology I learned and make my self super power in technology industry. I hope Obama hear about Legal immigrant who are smart and have three Master degrees.
God Bless America.
Aman
I will post a column in response to this comment at 6 a.m. Saturday.
Someone here illegally could never get the jobs you’d be qualified for. That said, we really do need to keep bright and qualified people here in the US and not make it so hard.
The act is scheduled to go into effect on July 28.Referendum requires filing 76,682 voter signatures by 90 days. But Still at most of online polls people support the Law. make your voice heard on http://immigration.civiltalks.com/