Angry with these protests

[dalegg 143]

if the majority of these illegals happen to be mexican, it's a very good sign Mexico needs fixing..... Everyone deserves to have a better life, I earnestly believe this. But you must attack the problem at its very root.

Well, yeah, but how do we attack Mexico's (and China's and India's, ect) problem? One answer is outsourcing of Jobs. Not exactly popular with Joe Average worker either.

One of the biggest problems people have with immigrants (not just illegals) is that they bring lower wages to existing US jobs. I think that in a global economy that is inevitable. Whether the jobs are here or in China isn't going to matter ultamately.

[chocolaterie 0]

if the majority of these illegals happen to be mexican, it's a very good sign Mexico needs fixing..... Everyone deserves to have a better life, I earnestly believe this. But you must attack the problem at its very root.

Well, yeah, but how do we attack Mexico's (and China's and India's, ect) problem? One answer is outsourcing of Jobs. Not exactly popular with Joe Average worker either.

One of the biggest problems people have with immigrants (not just illegals) is that they bring lower wages to existing US jobs. I think that in a global economy that is inevitable. Whether the jobs are here or in China isn't going to matter ultamately.

I also believe the problem also has to do with population control. It's a circle. If you don't have enough jobs for your population they'll go elsewhere. If you don't have enough skilled labor, those jobs will go elsewhere too.

In regards to China, from everything I have been reading, and all my econ classes, isn't China predicted to become the next superpower? If this is so, I don't see why there would be many Chinese illegals running to the USA unless it's for political oppression.

[keltic 1]

I have one question for everyone:

Tell me about the last illegal immigrant you talked to. Tell me about the last one whose reasons you know for coming here. Tell me why that person came here and why you think he or she could be sent back.

I met one last week whose parents snuck him in at the age of 2. He knows no Spanish to speak of; he has a college education here in the US. I met one who knew he shouldn't come in, but his American wife is terminally ill and his American daughter tried to kill herself, and since he was the only other family they had, he came. I met one woman with no education--at all--whose husband came illegally to the US (despite her protests) and stopped sending money back to their three small children, and said the only way he would keep supporting the children was if she brought them to the US.

If you aren't looking these people in the eye, you don't know jack ###### about them.

i talk with illegal aliens nearly every day at work... not just hispanic... chinese, indian, african, etc... i take care of their sick/premature babies... to the tune of anywhere between tens of thousands of dollars to a million dollars... think they (the illegals) pay for it? WRONG... guess who does?

and whats more... most of them know EXACTLY what they are doing and the best way to get the most money out of the system... most are truly shameless about it, as evidenced by their DEMANDS to get their birth certificates expedited... almost take umbrage if we dont have someone immediately on hand to translate and have to use the telephone interpretor (no matter how obscure their dialect may be)... they act as if they have more rights than the USC or legal immigrants

i just dont understand why illegals can put all this energy and effort into trying to DEMAND the rights of a USC instead of focusing it on changing the circumstances in their own country... rally up a million folks to demand change in the corrupt mexican (or whichever) govt... do something to make your own home country a place you want to STAY in

oh... and just another thought... the 1.1 million that is estimated to have taken part in these protests are not exactly an overwhelming support out of the 11 million total estimated illegals

[Jaylen Brit 0]

I too knew many illegals (back in the day when I was in SoCal) and most of them weren't mexican or even south american.

They were white, and all from so-called 1st world countries, oh and NONE of them were from 'poor' European countires EITHER.. It was Canadians, Brits, Swedes, Germans.. Some were just working for a few extra bucks to fund a trip and some were planning to stay. All those I knew had jobs not ONE of them was asked to show a work permit or SS card; some of them were paid cash, but a lot set up bank accounts and were paid by check.

When i think 'illegal' I don't think 'mexican' I think ILLEGAL - people who are working who shouldn't be - it annoys me greatly that some people 'assume' that everyone who is against illegal immigrants is some kind of racist or anti-mexican.

[Ban Hammer 13,113]

but i know my 3rd cousin's nephew's g/f is an illegal brought to the usa in a coffee pot. can't we make an exception for her too?

jeesh - the law is the law. either follow it or report to prison, as that's where you'll be soon enough anyways.

[Fandango 1,439]

I have one question for everyone:

Tell me about the last illegal immigrant you talked to. Tell me about the last one whose reasons you know for coming here. Tell me why that person came here and why you think he or she could be sent back.

I met one last week whose parents snuck him in at the age of 2. He knows no Spanish to speak of; he has a college education here in the US. I met one who knew he shouldn't come in, but his American wife is terminally ill and his American daughter tried to kill herself, and since he was the only other family they had, he came. I met one woman with no education--at all--whose husband came illegally to the US (despite her protests) and stopped sending money back to their three small children, and said the only way he would keep supporting the children was if she brought them to the US.

If you aren't looking these people in the eye, you don't know jack ###### about them.

i talk with illegal aliens nearly every day at work... not just hispanic... chinese, indian, african, etc... i take care of their sick/premature babies... to the tune of anywhere between tens of thousands of dollars to a million dollars... think they (the illegals) pay for it? WRONG... guess who does?

and whats more... most of them know EXACTLY what they are doing and the best way to get the most money out of the system... most are truly shameless about it, as evidenced by their DEMANDS to get their birth certificates expedited... almost take umbrage if we dont have someone immediately on hand to translate and have to use the telephone interpretor (no matter how obscure their dialect may be)... they act as if they have more rights than the USC or legal immigrants

i just dont understand why illegals can put all this energy and effort into trying to DEMAND the rights of a USC instead of focusing it on changing the circumstances in their own country... rally up a million folks to demand change in the corrupt mexican (or whichever) govt... do something to make your own home country a place you want to STAY in

oh... and just another thought... the 1.1 million that is estimated to have taken part in these protests are not exactly an overwhelming support out of the 11 million total estimated illegals

they do...last time I went to a hosp uninsured, it cost me $3 grand for a broken wrist & ankle. Mind you, I was doing nails at the time, which meant my broken wrist made me unemployed. Guess what? None of that mattered!

[jilanik 0]

I'm really surprised more VJ-er's are supporting the opposite side. I haven't read all of the pages in this thread, nor have I watched every news piece explaining the issues. I'm going through the legal process, as we all are, to marry a Canadian nonetheless, so I suppose this really doesn't affect me directly.

I just hurt for these families because I can understand the temptation to skip the process. The way things are going for me, it looks like it will be 9 months total before Adam gets his visa. We've been together two years, and only physically together a total of two months. Its hard, we all know that.

I have left work early today, and I won't be shopping. It isn't to intimidate our government by showing them what harm this could do to our economy, but a small amount of understanding for the families this will effect. I really wish all of the time, resources, and emotion being paid to addressing illegal immigrants was being given to reforming our system. Perhaps if the system wasn't as complicated and long as it is, so many people would avoid it.

Yes, I realize many people may skip the paperwork because they wouldn't be approved - due to criminal history etc. I don't know those statistics. I just wish there was more effort to help us, the people going by the book, and less attention on a long-existing problem we're never going to rightfully correct.

I respect all of you that were so deeply touched by this issue, whichever side you fall on.

Well I don't respect you or anyone who supports illegal immigration. It's a slap on my face. Most of the VJ's are against these demonstrations because they are making fun of us and our laws. These illegal scumbags say that they are not criminals, well boo hoo. They broke the law by entering the country, its a crime, hence these scumbags are criminals. The biggest absurdness I find if that they the drive cars without insurance and sometimes even without licence because they want to, why not take the bus? I took it, because I could not afford to pay for my insurance. I didn't break the law.

This is a very simple, black and white case. Either you are for illegal immigration, or you are not.

[jclara 0]

1. An extremely important thing to realize is that immigration through k-1 and k-3 visas (my wife is from Guatemala w/ a k-1 visa) has nothing to do with the type of immigration that is economic in nature. Our immigration situations are very different. Our spouses immigrate here for love/marriage/etc. , not because they are struggling in their home countries. Our situations are not so dire. Marriage/fiance immigration is not driven by poverty. We need to keep this clear when we start to compare "illegal" immigration with the legal and different routes that we have taken. These legal options we have are quite luxurious compared to the methods endured by undocumented immigrants. The legal channels are just not available to them. I am not trying to discount anyone's experiences with the k-1 and k-3 visas; our journey has not been easy. I am saying that these people risk their lives and some die trying to come to the U.S.

2. These people, these immigrants being bashed on this thread are human beings. They are human beings before they are Mexicans, Guatemalans, or Panamanian. If you listen to their stories about their experiences...working the hardest jobs, living away from their families, wifes, husbands, children, to perform back breaking jobs, not speaking English or speaking with an accent...if you listen to their stories you will realize that they are not so different from the stories of our ancestors that arrived in this country not so long ago. My great grandfather came from Italy and worked in mines. He did it because he had to survive and support his family, and there were no resources for him in Italy. We are not so different. I believe we all as Americans would do anything to support or families if the situation was reversed.

3. I have read posts talking of all the benefits the undocumented immigrants receive, and some of it is true. Don't forget that their presence here is not without benefit to some of us as well. A hard look at the economic effects of this immigration would help us understand the situation better. I have recently read two news articles on yahoo stating that current economic studies reveal that wages of U.S. citizens are more or less unaltered by the presence of immigrants; some rising slightly, some lowering slightly as well. We can't forget also that they build our hospitals, our banks, care for our children, make our gardens and yards. These people are a part of our communities and our country.

No hay ser humano illegal

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I have recently read two news articles on yahoo stating that current economic studies reveal that wages of U.S. citizens are more or less unaltered by the presence of immigrants; some rising slightly, some lowering slightly as well.

Thanks for trying to blurr the lines yet again.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

1. An extremely important thing to realize is that immigration through k-1 and k-3 visas (my wife is from Guatemala w/ a k-1 visa) has nothing to do with the type of immigration that is economic in nature. Our immigration situations are very different. Our spouses immigrate here for love/marriage/etc. , not because they are struggling in their home countries. Our situations are not so dire. Marriage/fiance immigration is not driven by poverty. We need to keep this clear when we start to compare "illegal" immigration with the legal and different routes that we have taken. These legal options we have are quite luxurious compared to the methods endured by undocumented immigrants. The legal channels are just not available to them. I am not trying to discount anyone's experiences with the k-1 and k-3 visas; our journey has not been easy. I am saying that these people risk their lives and some die trying to come to the U.S.

2. These people, these immigrants being bashed on this thread are human beings. They are human beings before they are Mexicans, Guatemalans, or Panamanian. If you listen to their stories about their experiences...working the hardest jobs, living away from their families, wifes, husbands, children, to perform back breaking jobs, not speaking English or speaking with an accent...if you listen to their stories you will realize that they are not so different from the stories of our ancestors that arrived in this country not so long ago. My great grandfather came from Italy and worked in mines. He did it because he had to survive and support his family, and there were no resources for him in Italy. We are not so different. I believe we all as Americans would do anything to support or families if the situation was reversed.

3. I have read posts talking of all the benefits the undocumented immigrants receive, and some of it is true. Don't forget that their presence here is not without benefit to some of us as well. A hard look at the economic effects of this immigration would help us understand the situation better. I have recently read two news articles on yahoo stating that current economic studies reveal that wages of U.S. citizens are more or less unaltered by the presence of immigrants; some rising slightly, some lowering slightly as well. We can't forget also that they build our hospitals, our banks, care for our children, make our gardens and yards. These people are a part of our communities and our country.

No hay ser humano illegal

If I went to Guatemala illegally what would they do to me?

"In fact, a meat-packing job paid $19 an hour in 1980, but today that same job pays closer to $9 an hour, according to the Labor Department. That's entirely consistent with what we've been reporting -- that illegal aliens depress wages for U.S. workers by as much as $200 billion a year in addition to placing a tremendous burden on hospitals, schools and other social services."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/05/01/dobbs...igrantprotests/

[Fandango 1,439]

1. An extremely important thing to realize is that immigration through k-1 and k-3 visas (my wife is from Guatemala w/ a k-1 visa) has nothing to do with the type of immigration that is economic in nature. Our immigration situations are very different. Our spouses immigrate here for love/marriage/etc. , not because they are struggling in their home countries. Our situations are not so dire. Marriage/fiance immigration is not driven by poverty. We need to keep this clear when we start to compare "illegal" immigration with the legal and different routes that we have taken. These legal options we have are quite luxurious compared to the methods endured by undocumented immigrants. The legal channels are just not available to them. I am not trying to discount anyone's experiences with the k-1 and k-3 visas; our journey has not been easy. I am saying that these people risk their lives and some die trying to come to the U.S.

2. These people, these immigrants being bashed on this thread are human beings. They are human beings before they are Mexicans, Guatemalans, or Panamanian. If you listen to their stories about their experiences...working the hardest jobs, living away from their families, wifes, husbands, children, to perform back breaking jobs, not speaking English or speaking with an accent...if you listen to their stories you will realize that they are not so different from the stories of our ancestors that arrived in this country not so long ago. My great grandfather came from Italy and worked in mines. He did it because he had to survive and support his family, and there were no resources for him in Italy. We are not so different. I believe we all as Americans would do anything to support or families if the situation was reversed.

3. I have read posts talking of all the benefits the undocumented immigrants receive, and some of it is true. Don't forget that their presence here is not without benefit to some of us as well. A hard look at the economic effects of this immigration would help us understand the situation better. I have recently read two news articles on yahoo stating that current economic studies reveal that wages of U.S. citizens are more or less unaltered by the presence of immigrants; some rising slightly, some lowering slightly as well. We can't forget also that they build our hospitals, our banks, care for our children, make our gardens and yards. These people are a part of our communities and our country.

No hay ser humano illegal

1. Doesn't matter what you emigrate for. It should be done properly & LEGALLY. not only that, but should we allow everyone to come here for economic reasons? Hell, citizens of the world...move to America!!! You're poor? Well to hell with it, come on down! It doesn't matter. Yes, life sucks and is not fair, but economic reasons alone is not justification enough. Where would it stop then?

2. That's great that people are people but that doesn't matter. See #1. Logistically, can America accept EVERYONE who needs economic gain? Can we grow at an exponential rate by taking every impoverished person on this planet? What makes some have more rights than all?

3. You seem to be for immigrants working because tbh the only economic GAIN we get from it is the fact that they're exploited. Once they get the same wages as everyone esle...there is no 'benefit' as you see.

[Fuzzness 2]

breaking the law is breaking the law. laws are there for a reason. yes, even immigration laws.