Illegal Immigration

[GUYMAN]

I'm new to the Boards, illegal immigration is an issue I'm very into. Most of you are from the Arizona area (I'm on the East Coast) which is sort of the front line in many ways, just curious your thoughts on the issue. I think we have to get control of our borders - it's not a matter of being anti-Hispanic or anti anybody. There are plenty of illegal immigrants from places likes the Middle East who concern me even more, as a possible terrorist threat, etc. I don't blame the poor folks who try to come here to feed their families. It's the government's fault for not controlling our borders, and business' fault for hiring these people. If they can't find work they will head back to their native lands. If we really need them for certain occupations (picking produce, etc) devise a system to bring people in for a set period of time, pay them a living wage, and verify that they return home. I'm not a right wing fanatic by any stretch - I'm all for LEGAL immigration , and I happen to be an active member of the Democratic Party.

[Cardsfan2000]

I'm new to the Boards, illegal immigration is an issue I'm very into. Most of you are from the Arizona area (I'm on the East Coast) which is sort of the front line in many ways, just curious your thoughts on the issue. I think we have to get control of our borders - it's not a matter of being anti-Hispanic or anti anybody. There are plenty of illegal immigrants from places likes the Middle East who concern me even more, as a possible terrorist threat, etc. I don't blame the poor folks who try to come here to feed their families. It's the government's fault for not controlling our borders, and business' fault for hiring these people. If they can't find work they will head back to their native lands. If we really need them for certain occupations (picking produce, etc) devise a system to bring people in for a set period of time, pay them a living wage, and verify that they return home. I'm not a right wing fanatic by any stretch - I'm all for LEGAL immigration , and I happen to be an active member of the Democratic Party.

I'm a staunch Democrat, and I completely agree with your sentiment. True, there are touching stories of families of illegals that had achieved success and happiness in America; deporting them seems heartless and unfair. However, if our laws are to have any legitimacy, everyone must abide by them.

[ambushk]

I agree it all starts with controling our borders. I like the choice to put guardsmen and troops on the border. The problem I do have is we have basically hand-cuffed them. If word got out that were aggressive in our actions, instead of "running away" at the sight of interlopers, they would think twice about just trotting over our border.

We should put "Sherriff Joe" in charge of the border patrol. Pink underwear and tents in the desert would go a long way toward controling this problem.:biggrin:

[BoboCracker]

In the last ten years, my neighborhood has gone from nice and quiet to a mexican militarized zone. Gone are the nice lawns, replaced by grass parking lots.( It's against the law here to park on your lawn, unless you are Mexican, apparently) Every fence and empty house is covered in spanish graffiti. Gunshots at least once a week. Police helicopter flying overhead constantly at night. At 12:00:01 Jan 1st there were guns going off all around, including a few automatic machine-guns. The school i attended as a child is now 95% Mexican. Other than that, it's fabulous. I can't wait to live here ten years from now when all those 3 year-old girls have kids of their own.

[NJCardFan]

As I posted in another thread, all they have to do is put cardboard cutouts of Jack Bauer and we'd be all set.

[Reckon]

I think the illegal immigration issue is 80% emotional and 20% substance.

[kjbad]

Last time I checked, illegal immigration was illegal...

If they can't find LEGAL work, they might try doing something ILLEGAL to make $$$...it's the American way.

[Portland Card]

In the last ten years, my neighborhood has gone from nice and quiet to a mexican militarized zone. Gone are the nice lawns, replaced by grass parking lots.( It's against the law here to park on your lawn, unless you are Mexican, apparently) Every fence and empty house is covered in spanish graffiti. Gunshots at least once a week. Police helicopter flying overhead constantly at night. At 12:00:01 Jan 1st there were guns going off all around, including a few automatic machine-guns. The school i attended as a child is now 95% Mexican. Other than that, it's fabulous. I can't wait to live here ten years from now when all those 3 year-old girls have kids of their own.

Well at least you picked an appropriate name "BoboCracker" . . . :ok:

[KidStallyn]

personally I loved how the illegal immagrant idiots protested because they no longer get IN STATE tuition....Hello.....You're not a RESIDENT here.....You don't DESERVE IN STATE TUITION! Good lordy, everyone nowadays thinks everything should be handed to them on a ******* silver platter.....Enter the country legally, go get a ******* JOB, become a citizen legally, pay some taxes, and earn your right to deserve IN STATE TUITION like the rest of us. Sheesh!

[GUYMAN]

I think the illegal immigration issue is 80% emotional and 20% substance.

So what exactly are the made up or not so serious issues with illegal immigration?

[GUYMAN]

I had sent you a PM the other day, hope you'll write back.

[ambushk]

Well at least you picked an appropriate name "BoboCracker" . . . :ok:


I don't know what it's like in Oregon (immigration wise), but try living here for a while and perhaps you you could empathize with us "Red Necks" and our lack of tolerance for the issue.

I came to Arizona in 1960, and we had a large Mexican population then. However for the most part they blended in with everyone else. You didn't notice massive changes in the local culture. Now over the last ten years we have had entire neighborhoods become reflections of Mexico. What I mean is the corner strip malls that were anchored by let's say Basha's or Safeway, are now held up by Food City(owned by Basha's) and Rancho Market. All the signage for in some cases for miles around are in spanish, and the stores all cater to hispanics. My neighbors blast mariachi music until all hours, and they have no respect for you if you're not hispanic.

If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd move there. I would however attempt to make the effort to learn the language and adapt to their culture, and not expect them to adapt to my way of life. The things happening here now are nothing short of a form of passive invasion.

I have begun to resent it a great deal. Mind you I have never been bigoted in my beliefs. The guilt I feel about it really bothers. But I have come to feel, I am not wrong, but being wronged.

Anyway, this is becoming a heated issue in Phoenix, I hope it doesn't continue to grow. If people think the riots in the 60s were bad, stay on the road we are on, and this could make the civil war look tame.

(As a disclaimer, I would like to say those of hispanic decent that come here to become americans are very welcome. Please don't think my feelings are based on the colour of someone's skin.)

[ambushk]

I think the illegal immigration issue is 80% emotional and 20% substance.


On what do you base this calculation? It's not based on the reality I live. I'm not trying to be a sarcastic, I just want to understand POV.

[NJCardFan]

Hey, I live in Bridgeton, NJ and believe me, we have an illegal immigration problem here...or maybe a majority of the Hispanic community in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and *gasp* Wisconsin decided to move here.

[Mibrilane #56]

I think the illegal immigration issue is 80% emotional and 20% substance.
I think your post was 100% pointless. :wink:

[Reckon]

Well folks, I believe in enforcing existing laws and doing without such nonsense of making English "our official language" and other feel-good legislation. But whatever floats your boat, I guess. Most of what I hear is BS, like illegal immigation has anything to do with parked cars in the neighbors' front yards.

[BoboCracker]

Most of what I hear is BS, like illegal immigation has anything to do with parked cars in the neighbors' front yards.

If your neighbors are 20 people living in a 3 bedroom house and only 2 of the 20 can speak english, it has a lot to do with it.

[BoboCracker]

Well at least you picked an appropriate name "BoboCracker" . . . :ok:

You have a point there. Just wear a hat and nobody will know.

[arizona_cards_11]

Anyone thought of landmines across the border???

[NJCardFan]

See, there is a reason why liberals oppose any illegal immigration reform and that is votes. These idiots are actually all for allowing these law breakers to be allowed to collect social security, a program they haven't paid dollar one into not to mention being in this country illegally.

[Hollywood]

If your neighbors are 20 people living in a 3 bedroom house and only 2 of the 20 can speak english, it has a lot to do with it.


I agree...20 people living in a 3 bedroom house and only 2 can speak english well is sad....um, we are both talking about AJ right?

[CardinalChris]

I feel that before we can figure out the correct way to handle this "problem", the laws in place must be followed and inforced. Once the laws are inforced, then it can be up to those who feel they are being treated unfairly to attempt to change them.

[CardinalChris]

I don't know what it's like in Oregon (immigration wise), but try living here for a while and perhaps you you could empathize with us "Red Necks" and our lack of tolerance for the issue.

I came to Arizona in 1960, and we had a large Mexican population then. However for the most part they blended in with everyone else. You didn't notice massive changes in the local culture. Now over the last ten years we have had entire neighborhoods become reflections of Mexico. What I mean is the corner strip malls that were anchored by let's say Basha's or Safeway, are now held up by Food City(owned by Basha's) and Rancho Market. All the signage for in some cases for miles around are in spanish, and the stores all cater to hispanics. My neighbors blast mariachi music until all hours, and they have no respect for you if you're not hispanic.

If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd move there. I would however attempt to make the effort to learn the language and adapt to their culture, and not expect them to adapt to my way of life. The things happening here now are nothing short of a form of passive invasion.

I have begun to resent it a great deal. Mind you I have never been bigoted in my beliefs. The guilt I feel about it really bothers. But I have come to feel, I am not wrong, but being wronged.

Anyway, this is becoming a heated issue in Phoenix, I hope it doesn't continue to grow. If people think the riots in the 60s were bad, stay on the road we are on, and this could make the civil war look tame.

(As a disclaimer, I would like to say those of hispanic decent that come here to become americans are very welcome. Please don't think my feelings are based on the colour of someone's skin.)
Great post.

[Avondale_Larry]

It's pretty simplistic to "blame liberals" like some here.

In fact, big business is very much opposed to immigration reform. The large number of illegal workers drive down the cost of labor across all markets.

It's why GWB proposed an amnesty program as opposed to simply vigorously enforcing the laws already on the books.

I too share everyone's frustration at the problem.

[Wide Left Rackers]

Idiots??? Way to go you sophistocated b@$+@rd. I am a hardcore democrat, and can't stand the illegal immigration. I say deport them.