In Congress, a harder line on illegal immigrants

[mawilson 2,133]

My gut feeling is this: if Americans had a choice of having to pay 33% more for their produce, but had no illegal aliens

If there were no illegal aliens, their wages would be higher as well (possibly more than 33%) because Americans would not work for low wages.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

that's the spirit! and don't forget to go max out your credit cards too!

I'm sure my lovely wife would happily assist with that.

[wshc 46]

I would think that people on this forum have some knowledge about the US legal immigration process. You know how broken it is and how it separates families and loved-ones for long periods of time while paperwork sits somewhere. People on this forum know about the interrogations that occur to innocent people at airports and other POE's just because CBP wants to use their power over people to make sure all of the paperwork is in order. (Oh my god, they have the wrong form, a real threat to national security.)

So I don't understand how ANYONE on this forum can support amnesty for ILLEGAL ALIENS from any country. It is salt in the wounds to all of the people that have gone through this process legally. Any politician that seems more interested in supporting reform to benefit ILLEGAL ALIENS while ignoring what is happening to US citizens (LPRs) and their families is hard to understand.

I don't see how anyone on this forum is a democrat because they are pandering to millions of illegals just to get votes to keep themself in office. Are people that blind to their intentions?

I went to my congressman for help in overcoming the injustices and misinformation given to us by USCIS. He did absolutely nothing. Told me I had to wait out the process. He is one of the main sponsors of the Dream Act. What a farce. He has no interest in helping when the USCIS messed up, but he cares about the ILLEGALS more than a USC. #######……..

Say what you will about the Republicans and their “control by big corporations”, I don’t care. At least they seem to still care about me and my family. A “hard working" kind of guy on no social programs. I have to buy full price bus tickets and my kids are not on free lunch. I am of no interest to the Democrats because I am not a miniority, I am not gay, I am a USC and my wife is not from Mexico. We are in the LEGAL process and the Dems know there is no way in hell they will ever get my vote so they don’t care to help. Wake up people to the ones that care about hard working people, its not the Dems.

People in the immigration process need to wake up to the fact that if anyone is going to imporve this process, it is not the ones that stand to gain the most by flooding the system with millions of new applicants. That will only increase the voter block for the Dems and make the system slower for the legal immigration process.

Edited December 28, 2010 by wshc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I would think that people on this forum have some knowledge about the US legal immigration process. You know how broken it is and how it separates families and loved-ones for long periods of time while paperwork sits somewhere. People on this forum know about the interrogations that occur to innocent people at airports and other POE's just because CBP wants to use their power over people to make sure all of the paperwork is in order. (Oh my god, they have the wrong form, a real threat to national security.)

So I don't understand how ANYONE on this forum can support amnesty for ILLEGAL ALIENS from any country. It is salt in the wounds to all of the people that have gone through this process legally. Any politician that seems more interested in supporting reform to benefit ILLEGAL ALIENS while ignoring what is happening to US citizens (LPRs) and their families is hard to understand.

I don't see how anyone on this forum is a democrat because they are pandering to millions of illegals just to get votes to keep themself in office. Are people that blind to their intentions?

I went to my congressman for help in overcoming the injustices and misinformation given to us by USCIS. He did absolutely nothing. Told me I had to wait out the process. He is one of the main sponsors of the Dream Act. What a farce. He has no interest in helping when the USCIS messed up, but he cares about the ILLEGALS more than a USC. #######……..

Say what you will about the Republicans and their “control by big corporations”, I don’t care. At least they seem to still care about me and my family. A “hard working" kind of guy on no social programs. I have to buy full price bus tickets and my kids are not on free lunch. I am of no interest to the Democrats because I am not a miniority, I am not gay, I am a USC and my wife is not from Mexico. We are in the LEGAL process and the Dems know there is no way in hell they will ever get my vote so they don’t care to help. Wake up people to the ones that care about hard working people, its not the Dems.

People in the immigration process need to wake up to the fact that if anyone is going to imporve this process, it is not the ones that stand to gain the most by flooding the system with millions of new applicants. That will only increase the voter block for the Dems.

Lord knows I'm not a fan of illegal immigration or any legislation that rewards with amnesty those that felt the law doesn't apply to them. But to suggest in this way that the DREAM act is a purely Democratic issue is nonsense. This piece of legislation was first introduced in the 107th Congress in 2001 (GOP controlled), then again in the 108th Congress (GOP controlled) and in the 109th Congress (also GOP controlled). In the 111th Congress, the Senate sponsors of the DREAM act included Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Mel Martinez (R-FL). So much for the GOP looking out for you.

[TigerTeddyBear 26]

So I should vote republican if I want to make legal immigration easier and more transparent? I agree with much of what you said, but the alternative is anti-immigrant to its core.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Say what you will about the Republicans and their “control by big corporations”, I don’t care. At least they seem to still care about me and my family. A “hard working" kind of guy on no social programs. I have to buy full price bus tickets and my kids are not on free lunch. I am of no interest to the Democrats because I am not a miniority, I am not gay, I am a USC and my wife is not from Mexico. We are in the LEGAL process and the Dems know there is no way in hell they will ever get my vote so they don’t care to help. Wake up people to the ones that care about hard working people, its not the Dems.

Little reality check: the last whole, wide-sweeping, no questions asked AMNESTY for ILLEGAL ALIENS was signed into law by the Republican right wing nut and Cowboy President Ronald "Have no Mercy, I will shoot you right in the face" Reagan.

Immigration is not a partisan issue at all. Strangely enough, when politicians do what we personally like, it's because they are our politicians; if they do something we personally don't like, it's because they are working for the other side. Immigration reform will come in any case and it's overdue. Part of it will be some form of legal solution for the 11 to 15 million illegal immigrants already in the country. Republicans, Democrats, don't make no difference here at all.

[wshc 46]

Lord knows I'm not a fan of illegal immigration or any legislation that rewards with amnesty those that felt the law doesn't apply to them. But to suggest in this way that the DREAM act is a purely Democratic issue is nonsense. This piece of legislation was first introduced in the 107th Congress in 2001 (GOP controlled), then again in the 108th Congress (GOP controlled) and in the 109th Congress (also GOP controlled). In the 111th Congress, the Senate sponsors of the DREAM act included Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Mel Martinez (R-FL). So much for the GOP looking out for you.

The original Dream Act was not as it is now. I am not opposed to the dream act as it is a gross injustice that children of illegals are here without their consent. It is not their fault and I know they belong here more than in Mexico. They have contributed to their High Schools in most cases and they should be allowed to become LPR's in a fair manner. The current Dream Act is just a doorway to get as many people in to the US and to become Citizens as possible through the use of the Dream Act. Have you ever heard the Dems talk about a compromise on the Dream Act? Have they ever said that the benefactors of the Dream Act will be LPR's? (Unable to vote as you know). No, that does not interest the Dems. That want full citizenship for the kids because of the voting rights full citizenship brings. It is purely a tool of the Democratic party in its present form. It may surprise you, but Republicans care about kids too and about justice. (Not the kooks you hear on the radio, but the silent majority of Republicans, which by the way are not corporations.) We are hard working people that not only agree with fairness and justice, but will fight for the underdog and to see that what is right is done. It is so obvious what the intentions of the current dream act are. It is ashamed that Harry Reid could not help out these kids without adding so much junk to the bill that any level headed honest politician (Republican) would have to vote against it. Put up an honest bill that helps the kids without selling out America and the Republicans will support it. (It is not being opposed because we are all racist as the MSM would have you believe.)

You know the immigration system. You know what a joke the current Dream Act is? It is unverifiable. It is full of loopholes that would allow almost anyone to use it. It will be a nightmare to fairly implement if not impossible. There will be so many new immigration lawyers using the dream act to rip off illegals that a whole new industry will come out of it. The victims will be even more victimized.

We have been told for so long that illegals do the jobs that Americans will not do. What is the justification now. Will the former illegals go to colleges that Amreican will not go to? Will they take the jobs requiring degrees that American Graduates will not do? How about this idea, we make them legal LPR's with the understanding that after they get their US degree they must move back to Mexico to help improve their country so that the incentives for illegal migration is no longer there. How about a peace corp type program manned by illegal kids that have been given LPR status to finish their degrees so that they can help Mexico and the world? (Forget it, that would mean they wouldn't be eligible to vote for the Democrats.)

[wshc 46]

Little reality check: the last whole, wide-sweeping, no questions asked AMNESTY for ILLEGAL ALIENS was signed into law by the Republican right wing nut and Cowboy President Ronald "Have no Mercy, I will shoot you right in the face" Reagan.

Regan did the right thing at the time. Why didn't it work? Who knows and lots of answers I am sure. I do know that I wish I had Ronald Reagan on my side now in Washington. I have a feeling that if he reviewed my case he would be on the phone personally to Janet Nepolitano or Hillary to get my wife here right now, not just throw us back to the system saying we have to wait. My congressman is too busy trying to pass the dream act.

And if you don't understand why as a USC my congressman should put priority on my case over ILLEGALS, then you never will.

[wshc 46]

So I should vote republican if I want to make legal immigration easier and more transparent? I agree with much of what you said, but the alternative is anti-immigrant to its core.

Republicans are not anti-immigration, just anti-ILLEGAL Immigration. Aren't you?

If you support Dems, then you are pro-ILLEGAL Immigration. It is that simple.

Edited December 28, 2010 by wshc

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The original Dream Act was not as it is now.

How is it different, specifically?

Have they ever said that the benefactors of the Dream Act will be LPR's? (Unable to vote as you know). No, that does not interest the Dems. That want full citizenship for the kids because of the voting rights full citizenship brings. It is purely a tool of the Democratic party in its present form. It may surprise you, but Republicans care about kids too and about justice.

Actually, you're ill informed. The pathway proposed is quite a bit harder than you would like to suggest. LPR status had to be earned during a 6 year conditional status period during which the beneficiary would need to complete two years of college (either graduate with a two year degree or earn two years of credits towards a four year degree) or serve two years in the military. Only if the benficiary has met one of the three requirements during this six year period would that beneficiary be granted permanent residency which would put that beneficiary on a path to citizenship. Standard math suggests that it would be 11 years until any of the DREAM act beneficiaries would be eligible to cast their first vote.

[mawilson 2,133]

Republicans are not anti-immigration, just anti-ILLEGAL Immigration. Aren't you?

They are? Could have fooled me all these years.

[TigerTeddyBear 26]

Look, bub... your black and white summary of my political persuasion is convenient, but flawed. I am a part of VJ because, like you, I have a immigrant loved one who I am trying to spend my life with. I live in a small town in TX and have had my run ins with people who hate my wife because she is a LEGAL immigrant. Fortunately, I also have family and friends who go to the mat for us Everytime. There is nothing like walking into some place with my Asian wife and having a group of drunken rednecks try to "discuss" the ramifications of her being here. Your support for the republicans is equally flawed. I am no supporter of amnesty and, like I said, I agree with much of what you said. I don't subscribe to one political party. There are scum. Then there are lawyers. Then there are politicians. I was just pointing out that in your rantings against the democrats in general, and the Dream act in particular, you left out the part where the other side stands. I have republican family members and friends who support LEGAL immigration, and I am sure there are republicans here who do. In my experience, they are in the minority of their party.

Edited December 28, 2010 by TigerTeddyBear

[^_^ 5,021]

There is nothing like walking into some place with my Asian wife and having a group of drunken rednecks try to "discuss" the ramifications of her being here.

Sounds like something straight out of the movies. You should consider living somewhere nicer, your current neighborhood sounds like a dump.

[wshc 46]

How is it different, specifically?

Actually, you're ill informed. The pathway proposed is quite a bit harder than you would like to suggest. LPR status had to be earned during a 6 year conditional status period during which the beneficiary would need to complete two years of college (either graduate with a two year degree or earn two years of credits towards a four year degree) or serve two years in the military. Only if the benficiary has met one of the three requirements during this six year period would that beneficiary be granted permanent residency which would put that beneficiary on a path to citizenship. Standard math suggests that it would be 11 years until any of the DREAM act beneficiaries would be eligible to cast their first vote.

Ok, let's presume “I am ill informed”, it happens. Think about this using the information you already know about the immigration process and the USCIS and the Government in general.

LPR Status has to be earned. What does that mean? Does the person stay here "illegally" or using an intermittent status while that is being earned or taking place? If some temporary status is the case, then how is that fair? Why does the Government tell my wife of 26 years that she is not allowed in the country until her paperwork is finished which was done incorrectly because of an incompetent at USCIS? So we let the illegal stay here illegally while they earn some legal status, while my wife of 26 years, mother of our 7 US citizen children is not allowed entry to the country that she had been issued a Green Card from in 1990. (I will try to remain unemotional but you see I have a solid case for understanding the unfairness and stupidity of this system.)

During this six year period or gaining status they need to attend two years of college. Sound good. Think a little. How will they pay for this? Will they have to work to pay for this? If so, will they be working illegally to pay for this? Will they pay taxes and SS, without a legal SSN number? Will that then make them eligible for SS benefits even though they are not legally in the country yet? Will they be eligible for PELL Grants and financial assistance to pay for college? Who will fill out the paperwork? Will they have to use their parent’s names (as my child would) for the financial forms? Will that put their parents at risk of deportation then or will there be a status for parents that have students in status? What about the nightmare of out of state tuition? That is a road the feds don't even want to go down and are pushing off on the states. Why should USC's have to pay any more out of state tuition when these illegals in some flex status will not?

So they meet these requirements and then they are granted LPR. Why then do they need to be citizens? Fair question. If they do want to be citizens, then using the normal process is fine.

Add the layers of waivers and additional levels of status that will come out of this and the system will not be able to handle it. How about verification? One of the requirements is that the applicant had to enter the country before a certain age. How is that verified without putting the parents at risk, as well as proving the years of residency questions when it come to out of state tuition. The parents will be given a status that allows them to stay in the country. Nobody has mentioned that, but you know it will happen.

And up to age 35? They take a two year course at the community college and everyone here illegally will now be able to use an alternative system which is not available to others. It might be a Dream Act, but it is not a very fair act and it a huge INSULT to everyone in the system going about it legally and suffering the same pain from the waiting game.

It needs to be correctly thought to make it happen.

[wshc 46]

Sounds like something straight out of the movies. You should consider living somewhere nicer, your current neighborhood sounds like a dump.

No, it's not straight out of the movies and he is right it happens. But not only in Texas, everywhere. As Texas boy, I was really surprised to see some good ole boy rednecks when I went up notrh the first time. I have seem the worst dumps not in Alabama (where there are plenty), but north of the Mason Dixon line. Stupidity exist everywhere.

But the point of him taking his wife somewhere nicer is how to deal with it. You will not get rid of the red necks just as you will never get rid of the gangs in LA.

btw..most of those rednecks were solid Democrats up until the 80's when the demographics started shifting.