Why do Mexicans get to live in the US without going thru the immigration channels, fees, and paperwork that people from other countries have to go thru? I have a co-worker who came here, legally, from the Phillipines. He is gainfully employed, owns a house, and speaks Englsih. He has also become an American citizen. Furthermore, he married a woman in the Phillipines and had to wait 3 years for her to come over here. They did everything the legal way. She is gainfully employed, speaks English and has also become an American citizen. To top it all off, they petitioned for her mother to come to the US and waited the time necessary for her to join them legally. Again, she speaks English and works.

The Mexicans don't go thru any of our government hoops. What makes them so special? If we have immigration rules for one country (The Phillipines), why don't those rules apply to every country? If Mexicans can come here so freely, then so should every other country.

If Mexicans are leaving Mexico because their country has nothing to offer them, then they should adapt to the American way of living. #1 being SPEAK ENGLISH! Not only speak it, but read, write, and understand it. I will not learn Spanish. I will not cater to these illiterate people. It's a shame that our government does cater to them. Force them to learn English---the language this country was founded on way back when. I lost a job in 1990 because I did not speak Spanish. That should not happen. That was so wrong. Why should I speak a foreign language just to work in the country I was born in?

We do not need the illegal people here. If employers were not allowed to get away with hiring undocumented people, these fleas would not be here. Our homeless could have jobs. Teenagers could have jobs. Criminals, trying to turn their lives around, could have jobs. But employers have no consequences for hiring illegals. I try not to do business where I feel the help is all illegal. I certainly am not doing business with someone who does not understand and/or speak English. I would never hire any of the men hanging out on street corners.

It is sad and a disgrace that these illegals are entitled to all kinds od financial assistance. Why? What did they do to deserve low cost housing, food stamps, free $$$ (welfare), medical, etc... No, you do not have to be here legally to get that assistance. Why should our resources take care of these people? Why aren't our resources used to send them back over the border where they belong?

Goedenmiddag bdr - I just now saw your post - You do indeed speak Dutch very well - I also agree with your views on the immigration subject. It is nice that on this forum, one can post a full message and does not have to worry about that goofy censor...have a great weekend.
Corinne

Lavanilla-

Do you have any "humane" suggestions? Or were you just planning on floating your post in here (for the second time)?

When it comes down to the real deal of the issue most get caught up with the terminology to the point it is often forgotten we are debating about HUMANS. We are all of the same species and have the right to freedom regardless of any other societal convictions. Therefore the issue to be addressed is how our government can deal with law breaking humans, in a manner that is humane. This entails a need to define humane. Is it humane to separate parents from their US born children through a deportation process? Demand proof of legal status in the country on basis of racial profiling? Provide a TIN (Temporary Identification Number) for the purpose of tax filing when you are illegal and have no social security number, but must pay taxes? Please contemplate next time you take a nice drive down northern country wine valleys. You might notice a multitude of brown skinned laborers picking grapes, regardless of their legal status a US citizen hired them! You enjoy the wine! Regardless of a persons legal status in the United States they are human, we must treat them accordingly. You cannot easily blame a child for eating a candy that is placed in his hand, thus we cannot solely blame immigrants.

ClaremontVictor...ok, here's a suggestion. Lets' just let every single person in. And when everything goes down the drain...I want you to remember one thing...we did what all the pro-illegals wanted. So when everything starts to fail, when the system fails everyone from citizens to illegals, I want you to remember one thing...this is the way you wanted it.
Oh, and the racist bit...get off your high horse...you're the racist. One who disguise there true hate and misleads those to try to think they are racist are the racist ones. Again, go back and read my blogs...I'm married a hispanic female, whose grandfathers came from Mexico. My wife supports the side of keeping illegals out. Her grandfather...who was born in MEXICO supports the same as I.

As well, I did a great deed yesterday which had to do with a MEXICAN. Those people who collect donations at the stores, the ones that wear a white suit...in 100 degree weather. I had bought a water for my kids and I at the store we were at. We donated a bit of change as we always do and seen this guy sweating...so I gave him the water I bought for myself. I told my kids that you be curteous to people regardless of who they are. Now if I was a racist, I would not have done that. Again, my family is melting pot of the world, we have every major culture in my family.

Again Claremont-Victor, not only are you a moron, but a racist as well.

There are people that understand what we are talking about. It's not about racism, and it's not just about Mexicans. Those who claim we are racist will be the first to cry when there is no help because our government can't afford to do anything. They will be the first to cry when our education has gone down the drain.

Again, if you come here legally, welcome...if your here illegally (Mexican, Chinese, German, Russian, British, etc, etc, etc,) go home, work towards being here and then come back legally. I know of people who were here illegally, got tired of ducking the system, went back for a year or two and got their VISA's back here. Now they enjoy the benefits of being here legally.

Claremont-Victor

Why have you ignored the other points brought up and keep mentioning to rascism?

Why haven't you addressed the illegality of unauthorized immigrants? Doesn't it anger you that these criminals cast a shadow over you and your fellow imigrants that came here legally?

Further, why would the ideas of a border wall or not hiring illegals fail?

Please answer these questions. Hearing from an imigrant on these central issues is important to good discussions.

Actually, I believe the laws have been changed to now allow Americans to own property in Mexico. That isn't really the subject of this forum though. My thoughts this morning are of the number of pro-reformers who seem to think Americans should learn to speak Spanish. I fail to see what possible difference that would make towards alleviating the financial burden placed on the American taxpayer by illegal aliens. I speak several languages, including Spanish, & still think their presence is damaging to our economy. Understanding what they are saying doesn't make them welcome. I fail to see their point. Unless it's so we will be able to tell the guy that mowed our lawn what a crummy job he did.

Goedemorgan Corinne. Nice om u hier te zien.

mexico is down side us border, easy for somemany people from all over the world to get in, from all over the world, a new wall is not a solution, send everyone back mexicans and everybody is a really stupid idea, dont give them jobs, is just not going to work , i am sorry, i am mexican and i understand your frustuation, but please suggest new ideas not hatefull ideas and discriminating comments, because if you are racist people will answer the same way. if u want really answers give better ideas otherwise this topic is just another way to take anger over mexicans

Everyone here for the most part is speaking about the economic side of things. We are not being racist at all. The illegals are adding to our already draining economic system. What do you think it costs to house them in jail as well?

Funny, but you are not allowed to apply for a Visa in Mexico unless you can show proof of your financial stability. If you don't have the money you are not allowed to live in the country. I guess this is because they do not want us to drain there country either. Not only that American's can never own land in Mexico either.

Illegals are criminals. Simple. They break the law and become criminals with the first illegal step over the border. Then being criminals, criminal behavior follows. Violence, drug dealing, robbery, etc. They live on the fringes of our society by choice. They refuse to learn English and therefore do not communicate with the legal citizens whosupport them through taxes. I am not enthralled with the culture that they bring with them. Young teens having many babies who go directly under welfare is not a kind way to reay your host. It is rude to see that and hear Spanish being spoken exclusively. Go home and petition to be a legal immigrant.

Was talking to a retired pilot that flew a transport plane every week from South America. Guess what, they would bring in at least 50 to 100 immigrants into the states. He could not prove that they were illegals. As you know, you do your orders and don't ask question. At this time I was telling him about www.spp.gov several years ago. Just remember what are we doing with these peoples? They never flew them back. I wonder how many flights the USA were doing this. Importing illegals? Isn't that a crime?

Wonder what the real cost of immigrants feeding us? State budget. All I can figure they are really slave labors being used ti keep the inflation down. Used by the Feds!

The Feds supposed pay all cost!! Because it's a Fed. problem! Well, they don't pay S#*t. What we need is a real sheriff! Like Phoenix Az. We could even have a better animal rescue service. Just copy his ideas.

Why cant we convince the terroists that Mehicho is the most infidel place ever. Anything from there should be blowd up!

Let me start off by saying I am an immigrant who came in legally about 21 years ago. Like some of you posted i have to say that it took me 5 long years before i was able to get legal residency, and another 5 long years before i could become a US citizen. I also want to mention that since day 1 entering the country i have studied/worked and paid my taxes and never (thank God) had to depend on the Feds.
Everybody who wishes to come to the US SHOULD COME IN LEGALLY. That said, many illegal immigrants whichever country they may come from are coming because we have a lenient system that eventually forgives, and gives amnesty. This periodic amnesty is terrible on folks whom we are asking to wait legally in a queue for their turn to come. This is how i see the problems and issues related to illegal entry into the country.

1. Enforce the law of not hiring any illegal immigrants. I think this is our biggest problem. We can complain all we want about illegal immigrants, but it wont help if the folks who are employing them continue to do so. For example, if all employers farm and non farm only hire legal citizens, i do not see why anybody would come here since they cannot get employment. The downside to this is that there is a potential (for example for us to pay higher wages to residents, as such higher cost of goods).

2. If every illegal immigrant who is caught is deported, without question we COULD hope for reducing this behavior.

3. Never give amnesty. This is the problem with both of our political parties. In order to pander to certain communities they are making illegal visitors to the country legal residents at an enormous cost to the system. This has to be STOPPED. We should all write to our congressmen and senators about this issue and not vote for them if they go against this theme.

4. We have to make allowances for the down trodden, abused asylum seekers of course as long as they come legally, and not sneak in into the country.

I have traveled to many countries in the world. America by far is the most open country in the world. Even the ones that come into the country legally are impacted by the ones that come in illegally and some times treated the same way. for those who want to come to the US i say WAIT YOUR TURN, and i am really sorry if you do not get one.