Where do you stand?

[Lobodeb]

Are you for the immigration reform or against it?

I'll tell ya, there couldn't be a bigger dividing line between me and my hubby. He is against it, I'm for it. He thinks I'm anti-immigration, which I'm not. I just think if you want the same rights and liberties as me, then you'll do what's required by law.

Where do you stand?

[Lady's Human]

Illegal immigration has got to be stopped. Corruption in Mexico (the main reason illegal immigrants state that they cannot emigrate legally) is not the fault of the United States government. Lax or nonexistent border control IS the fault of Congress and the Administration.

[moosmom]

I believe that the borders should be closed and that the laws be made stricter as far as illegal immigrants are concerned.

Everytime an immigrant enters the US illegally, a LEGAL resident of the US is shortchanged.

There was a story in the paper a few days back about an illegal immigrant gave birth in the desert so that her child would be born a legal immigrant. What next???

We need to start taking care of our own LEGAL residents.

[Teri]

I believe that the borders should be closed and that the laws be made stricter as far as illegal immigrants are concerned.

Everytime an immigrant enters the US illegally, a LEGAL resident of the US is shortchanged.

There was a story in the paper a few days back about an illegal immigrant gave birth in the desert so that her child would be born a legal immigrant. What next???

We need to start taking care of our own LEGAL residents.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

[Edwina's Secretary]

It depends......how do you define Reform???

I strongly support a guest worker program. ( GWB and I agree on something....although I'm sure for very different reasons....)

And... I do not think immigration from Mexico is the only immigration that is occurring illegally.

And....I do not think illegal immigrants are sapping government services or medical services.... they are AFRAID to go to the emergency room or social services for fear of being caught and deported. Most are paying taxes (payroll deduction....same way most of us do!)

I believe anyone who wants to make a home in the US must learn the English language (hello Miami!!!) And I think a whole lot of US citizens should work on their ability to speak proper English while we are on the subject. (There is something about a very ungrammatical rant against people not speaking English.)

I believe there is LOTS of xenophobia blowing around the current discussion.

I do not believe immigrants are taking away jobs from citizens. Unless, of course, your children are aspiring to cut my lawn, tar my roof, pick my strawberries or clean my house.

And I hope anyone who is ranting about "them" having all the benefits of citizenship is voting in every election and volunteering for jury duty....you know...those citizen rights everyone is worrying "they" are getting for free?

[Miss Z]

Well, I suppose I'm not talking about the same thing (although I have seen the American immigration problems on the news), but in the UK there are immigration problems too. I would support any country becoming tighter on immigration. I know that there is war and corruption in many other poorer countries but they can't use more developed countries as a sanctuary illegally. There was a programme once about how illegal immigrants get into the UK, and many cling to the bottom of lorries going through the channel tunnel . Unfortunately, when they arrive in our country and I'm sure this could be the same in the USA, many will turn to crime to make a living as they will find it very difficult to find work. Not only that, but population is swelling to maximum, especially here in the UK as we are such a tiny group of countries. Around 5 million new houses are built in the UK each year which destroys some of our beautiful countryside, and the demand gets higher as more people enter the country. The UK needs join with America and also become stricter on immigration laws too.

[Lobodeb]

And....I do not think illegal immigrants are sapping government services or medical services.... they are AFRAID to go to the emergency room or social services for fear of being caught and deported.

On the contrary, I saw something on 20/20 or Dateline (I can't remember which) that illegal immigrants are part of the reason that healthcare costs are rising so quickly. They aren't afraid to go to the ER because they have a fake name and SSN and don't worry about having to pay the bill, so the hospital is stuck with the costs.

I believe anyone who wants to make a home in the US must learn the English language (hello Miami!!!) And I think a whole lot of US citizens should work on their ability to speak proper English while we are on the subject. (There is something about a very ungrammatical rant against people not speaking English.)

Chicago is the same way! I agree 100%!

I do not believe immigrants are taking away jobs from citizens. Unless, of course, your children are aspiring to cut my lawn, tar my roof, pick my strawberries or clean my house.

Again, bravo! You've said what I feel better than I could!

[lizbud]

My Grandmother & Grandfather immigrated to the US from Ireland. They
came here by way of Ellis Island which was the starting point for entering
this country for many, many people. I voted unsure because I don't really
know what the immigration policy is now. I don't know what should or
should not be changed. Does anyone know today's policy?

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I'm for reform. We need to get those borders sealed - NOW!!!

I'm not against immigration. I'm all for it but through the legal channels.

I get really cheesed off seeing them wave the Mexican flag. HELLO!!! GO BACK TO MEXICO AND WAVE IT THERE!!! WE AREN'T THE UNITED STATES OF MEXICO - YET ANYWAY. Inspite of Dora the Explorer and all the other sneaky things being done to teach us Spanish instead of them learning English. (like making Spanish a REQUIRED class in schools and using Spanish on commercials and other tv shows)

One thing I wonder: If GB waved his magic wand (and I'm convinced he has one if only in his mind) and made every illegal here an American today; how long would they work at the wages they are currently being paid? I bet after a while they would say, Whoa! we are now Americans and deserve a better wage!! And they would be right!!! Physical labor is hard and can wreck your health. Seems strange that a country who is so agast at sweat shops in other countries, would allow such low wages to be paid here whether to illegals or not!!! Just something to think about!!!

And yes they do sap the resources; the kids can go to schools free and lots of them get free medical service. I can't do that even being disabled!!!

I just get mad when they are here illegally and demand RIGHTS!!! which they don't or shouldn't have since their being here is AGAINST THE LAW!!!

I think anyone who knowing hires illegals should be fined for each one hired. But that's just my opinion.

[Samantha Puppy]

I just think if you want the same rights and liberties as me, then you'll do what's required by law.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[beeniesmom]

My grandparents and parents had to wait 7 years to get the "call", giving them permission to come to the US legally. I think everyone should do it the right way. They had a hard life in Italy in the 1960's... dirt poor. They chose to go about improving thier life the right way.
I am happy they did.
I do however think that the US should not deport everyone. It's a difficult topic.

[dab_20]

I'm not really sure and don't know enough about the topic... but I'm more for it then against it I think.

[BOBS DAD]

My cousin lives in CA and occasionally spouts off about something or another in an Email. He sent this today:

An American working in Mexico! From the other side of the fence.....
The following is from (Tom O'Malley) who was a Director with SW BELL in
Mexico City.

I spent five years working in Mexico. I worked under a tourist Visa for
three months and could legally renew it for three more months. After that
you were working Illegally. I was technically illegal for three weeks
waiting on the FM3 approval During that six months our Mexican and US
Attorneys were working to secure a permanent work visa called a FM3. It
was in addition to my US passport that I had to show each time I entered and left the country. Barbara's was the same except hers did not permit her to work. To apply for the FM3 I needed to submit the following notarized
originals (not copies) of my:

1. Birth certificate for Barbara and I.
2. Marriage certificate.
3. High school transcripts and proof of graduation.
4. College transcripts for every college I attended and proof of graduation.
5. Two letters of re commendation from supervisors I had worked for at
least one year.
6. A letter from The ST. Louis Chief of Police indication I had no
arrest record in the US and no outstanding warrants and was "a citizen in
good standing."
7. Finally; I had to write a letter about myself that clearly stated
why there was no Mexican Citizen with my skills and why my skills were
important to Mexico. We called it our "I am the greatest person on Earth" letter. It was fun to write. All of the above were in English that had to be
translated into Spanish and be certified as legal translations and our signatures notarized. It produced a folder about 1.5 inches thick with English on the left side and Spanish on the right.

Once they were completed Barbara and I spent about five hours
accompanied by a Mexican Attorney touring Mexican Government office
locations and being photographed and fingerprinted at least three times.
At each location and we remember at least four locations we instructed on
Mexican tax, labor, housing, and criminal law and that we were required to
obey their laws or face the consequences. We could not protest any of the
Governments actions or we would be committing a felony. We paid out four
thousand dollars in fees and bribes to complete the process. When this was
done we could legally bring in our household goods that were held by US
customs in Laredo Texas. This meant we has rented furniture in Mexico
while awaiting our goods. There were extensive fees involved here that the
company paid.

We could not buy a home and were required to rent at very high rates
and under contract and compliance with Mexican law. We were required to get a Mexican drivers license. This was an amazing process. The company arranged for the Licensing agency to come to our Headquarters location with their photography and finger print equipment and the laminating machine. We
showed our US license, were photographed and fingerprinted again and issued the license instantly after paying out a six dollar fee. We did not take a
written or driving test and never received instructions on the rules of
the road. Our only instruction was never give a policeman your license if
stopped and asked. We were instructed to hold it against the inside window
away from his grasp. If he got his hands on it you would have to pay
ransom to get it back. We then had to pay and file Mexican income tax annually using the number of our FM3 as our ID number. The companies Mexican accountants did this for us and we just signed what they prepared. I was about twenty legal size pages annually.

The FM 3 was good for three years and renewable for two more after
paying more fees. Leaving the country meant turning in the FM# and
certifying we were leaving no debts behind and no outstanding legal
affairs (warrants, tickets or liens) before our household goods were released to customs. It was a real adventure and If any of our Senators or Congressman went through it once they would have a different attitude toward Mexico. The Mexican Government uses its vast military and police forces to keep its citizens intimidated and compliant. They never protest at their White house or government offices but do protest daily in front of the United States Embassy.

The US embassy looks like a strongly reinforced fortress and during
most protests the Mexican Military surround the block with their men standing
shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear to protect the Embassy. These
protests are never shown on US or Mexican TV. There is a large public park
across the street where they do their protesting. Anything can cause a
protest such as proposed law changes in California or Texas.

Please feel free to share this with everyone who thinks we are being
hard on illegal immigrants.

[cyber-sibes]

Unless you are a native-American, all of our families began here as immigrants. I know all of my grandparents did. They came in and did what was required to become legalized citizens. Why should people now expect to do it differently? If you want to be an American, fine. Do it legally.

[Sevaede]

I think it is a tad off that they are waving Mexican flags when the issue is about them becoming American citizens.

I am a dreamer but can realize that a lot of my ideas are a bit far fetched. I believe in equality. I think immigration is all fine and dandy but it should be done legally, you know? Isn't it kind of insulting and unfair to those who did go the right route?

It all boils down to this: ES is right. This is not a simple problem and there is no simple solution. One way or the other, a lot of people are going to be very pissed off.