What if we threw out all the illegal immigrants?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I browse our local police blotter a lot. They mention when someone is illegal. My observations are that almost all traffic violations tend to not be illegals. Most armed robberies aren't illegals either. The most common crime I've seen reported by illegals tend to be fights in bars and trying to lure schoolgirls into their pickup.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

On the topic of illegals, this is in our local paper today. Another town is trying to stop landlords from renting to illegals and this time it's in my neck of the woods:

BOUND BROOK —A heated discussion ensued Tuesday night as the Borough Council was about to consider a proposal that would crack down on illegal immigrants.

Councilman Jim Lefkowitz's proposal, which would require landlords to obtain proof that tenants are legal residents, was introduced at Tuesday's meeting but did not move forward.

Mayor Carey Pilato, who said he's against the proposal, said the measure may bring additional legal fees and issues to the borough, which is still in the shadow of the U.S. Department of Justice investigation.

Lefkowitz's proposal comes four years after the U.S. Department of Justice cited borough officials for waging a multifaceted campaign to drive out Hispanics. Bound Brook, while not admitting guilt, agreed to settle the suit, paying a $30,000 fine and creating a $425,000 compensation fund for victims of discrimination between 1996 and 2002.

Linda Brnicevic, a Bound Brook resident, said Lefkowitz's proposal "is just going to be racial profiling." "I don't know when Bound Brook is going to learn,'" Brnicevic said. "You got slapped with the DOJ investigation. You had to take sensitivity classes, right?"

Lefkowitz, who said he embraces the Hispanic community in the borough, said his proposal is specific to illegal immigrants. He had said it's time for the borough to fight illegal immigration as there are several new housing projects on the horizon which may include several rental units, and he wanted to have new rules on books before they are occupied.

John Rucki, co-chair of New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control, cited a 2007 The Federation for American Immigration Reform report saying illegal immigration costs New Jersey residents $2.1 billion in costs such as education, health care and incarceration.

"I admire Mr. Lefkowitz for his courage to bring it up,'" Rucki said.

Carmen Morales, a part-time realtor and full-time school bus driver, came to the meeting from Edison to commend Lefkowitz for his proposal.

Morales, who is a United States citizen of Puerto Rican descent, is against the living conditions for many illegal immigrants.

""People should not be living the way they are living. People are looking the other way and you are right on the money,'" Morales said to Lefkowitz.

Pilato said the borough already has a yearly inspection schedule for its 1,200-1,300 rental units, which make up approximately half of the borough's housing stock.

Grace C. Lemoke-Duebecke, a homeowner and landlord in Bound Brook, wanted to know how Lefkowitz expected landlords to check the legal status of a tenant.

"It's going to fall down on us,'" Lemoke-Duebecke said.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed lawsuits challenging similar proposals adopted in a number of other municipalities across the country.

Lefkowitz's proposal also calls for police to determine the legal status of any person arrested and to make sure that if any illegal immigrant is taken into custody, that person is turned over to federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement officials. He has said that proposal is consistent with current federal policy.

The proposal also calls for the borough to deny any contracts to a firm that hires illegal immigrants.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

The mayor in our town has done the same types of things and instructed all police to get rid of all illegals.

[eric&gen 0]

The illegals took our jobs.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The illegals took our jobs.

So you worked in a production factory or on a chicken farm or doing day labourer construction work or out in the fields? That's hard work for little money. But hey, there are farmers here in Georgia advertising for farm help - why not apply there - if you call them quick you may be able to get there before the illegals do.!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Senator McCain, hitting all the right notes on immigration. Good for him.

Senator John McCain told a major Hispanic group here Tuesday that he remained committed to passing the kind of immigration legislation that angered many Republican voters last year.

...

"I and many other colleagues twice attempted to pass comprehensive immigration legislation to fix our broken borders, ensure respect for the laws of this country, recognize the important economic necessity of immigrant laborers, apprehend those who came here illegally to commit crimes and deal practically and humanely with those who came here, as my distant ancestors did, to build a better, safer life for their families," McCain said.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/08/america/09immig.php

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's hilarious, are you saying that illegal immigrants are the main reason for most of the crimes that happen in the US??

You just totally made my day. Thanks, I really needed that!

Diana

Hmmm... I don't think it can be denied that there is a criminal element among the illegal immigrant population. As to what extent crimes committed by illegal immigrant affect the national crime rate - I suppose that's an open question...

Just like there is a criminal element among the rest of the US (native-born or legalized).

Well yes - that's a given. But I don't think we should be in the practice of relativizing these things.

While it isn't fair to make judgements about individuals - it is accurate to suggest that large groups of people coming into the country avoiding the process of immigration background screening are doing so either because they can't afford to do it the legal way, or because they wouldn't be eligible for a visa in the first place. That this may be because of past criminal histories can't be ignored.

Though in this piece it states:

"Critics of lax immigration policies say that drug running, traffic accidents and crime would go down with the illegal immigrants gone. But The Immigration Policy Center, a Washington research group, argues that studies show that immigrants in general are less likely to commit crimes or to end up behind bars than native-born Americans. The debate goes on."

I don't think the national crime rate is much affected. The illegal immigrant's undocummented status itself may even prove to be a crime deterrent....don't commit a crime that may draw the 'law's' attention?

Well as I said its an open question. And there are only so many illegals in a country of 300,000,000 total...

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

what a crock of #######:

Lettuce and strawberries would rot in the fields. Dirty dishes would pile up in restaurants. Thousands of farmers and builders would go bust.

Not to mention the garbage collection going to pot and no one to polish the missus' nails.

get rid of them and see this "chicken little the sky is falling" routine fall flat on it's face.

[pcana 0]

The illegals took our jobs.

So you worked in a production factory or on a chicken farm or doing day labourer construction work or out in the fields? That's hard work for little money. But hey, there are farmers here in Georgia advertising for farm help - why not apply there - if you call them quick you may be able to get there before the illegals do.!

I was going to mention if THEY took their maids,cleaning,landscaping,and all the $6.50 an hour pay jobs that one else wants to do but the illegal inmigrants??

[almaty 19]

Senator McCain, hitting all the right notes on immigration. Good for him.

Senator John McCain told a major Hispanic group here Tuesday that he remained committed to passing the kind of immigration legislation that angered many Republican voters last year.

...

"I and many other colleagues twice attempted to pass comprehensive immigration legislation to fix our broken borders, ensure respect for the laws of this country, recognize the important economic necessity of immigrant laborers, apprehend those who came here illegally to commit crimes and deal practically and humanely with those who came here, as my distant ancestors did, to build a better, safer life for their families," McCain said.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/08/america/09immig.php

mccain and obama are similar on this issue....illegals are not going anywhere, soon...so may as well solve the issue with work permits

[Steph0814 1]

Sorry all, my computer froze after I posted..

Thanks for the correct link, apparently my comp skillz aren't want I thought.

Well, you know we can only wait and see.

Are the farms really hiring in GA, 'cause you know......

It's looking like a long time for my EAD and Lord could I use a tan....LOL (This is a joke)

[Nessa 23]

What if we threw out all the illegal immigrants?

there would be no more illegal immigrants threads on VJ

[william_wallace 8]

What if we threw out all the illegal immigrants?

there would be no more illegal immigrants threads on VJ

And our visa's wouldn't take so bloody long.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

What if we threw out all the illegal immigrants?

there would be no more illegal immigrants threads on VJ

And our visa's wouldn't take so bloody long.

They would take just as long becuase they would downsize. Illegals aren't the reason for the processing times.

[zqt3344 21]

I got news for all the illegal immigration lovers, the USA would not suffer one bit, as a matter of fact everyone's standard of living and job pay would greatly increase along with lower crime and lower taxes! Illegal immigrants are law breakers that do nothing but harm every legal US citizen.

Ok, I have been observing a lot of these discussions. I am posting this as i think it gives a "both sides to the story"

What if we threw out all the illegal immigrants?