illegal immigration

[Zero Sum 305]

Correction: ESL classes are free. My wife (former fiancee, here on K1) that still does not have social security number(lost or delayed, need to check) was admitted for free ESL classes. All she did is paid $35 for the parking... And she is already attending them...

Then she was lucky. Beyond the very basic ESL, you actually have to enroll in an ESL program (paid) in most places to actually go beyond barely functional English.

Add to that that not all 'free' ESL programs are state-funded. You have to be specific and realize not all people live in the same area.

[san diego 407]

DREAM Act?

I know its emotional for all sides involved... but you may want to read up on who the 'beneficiaries' would be and how they could attain legalization. Its not like they crossed the border yesterday. Try without the irrational rant that has no bearing whatsoever on reality.

know specifics of the Act. However, this would be a start followed by more recent over 16 y.o. beneficiaries.

[san diego 407]

Then she was lucky. Beyond the very basic ESL, you actually have to enroll in an ESL program (paid) in most places to actually go beyond barely functional English.

Add to that that not all 'free' ESL programs are state-funded. You have to be specific and realize not all people live in the same area.

I agree that this is area-specific. Here it is free on all levels (all the way to most advanced). Actually, she enrolled in high intermediate level. While California public school system is suffering from cutting budgets. Seems unreasonable.

[Zero Sum 305]

know specifics of the Act. However, this would be a start followed by more recent over 16 y.o. beneficiaries.

Please inform me on how it would be a start. From what I've seen the act is only tailored for those already here- not a fictional wave of illegals or 16+ beneficiaries. Maybe Obama is talking about something else or maybe some people here are jumping the gun as to what he actually is saying.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Given the political constellation and climate in Congress right now, there will be no DREAM Act without being part of comprehensive immigration reform that will have to address issues like securing the border, mandated e-Verify, and other essential components that will punish employers who have illegal aliens on payroll. It's all smoke and mirrors and even those who would benefit from such a legislation went to the streets and asked Obama to stop using this for political purposes. There will be no DREAM Act in any way, form, or shape for at least the next 2 years to come.

Wanna bet?

[Zero Sum 305]

I agree that this is area-specific. Here it is free on all levels (all the way to most advanced). Actually, she enrolled in high intermediate level. While California public school system is suffering from cutting budgets. Seems unreasonable.

It does seem unreasonable. You should have offered a donation to the school system. I am sure they have options for that.

Given the political constellation and climate in Congress right now, there will be no DREAM Act without being part of comprehensive immigration reform that will have to address issues like securing the border, mandated e-Verify, and other essential components that will punish employers who have illegal aliens on payroll. It's all smoke and mirrors and even those who would benefit from such a legislation went to the streets and asked Obama to stop using this for political purposes. There will be no DREAM Act in any way, form, or shape for at least the next 2 years to come.

Wanna bet?

Obviously.

We'll see what happens in the interim.

[san diego 407]

It does seem unreasonable. You should have offered a donation to the school system. I am sure they have options for that.

I am paying enough taxes being in the highest tax bracket to use such things for free. This is the first time I am using this type of subsidized schooling and I am entitled to use it free of charge by paying exuberant taxes. At least I can benefit partially from my taxes for a change. Unlike illegal immigrants that are not...

[san diego 407]

Given the political constellation and climate in Congress right now, there will be no DREAM Act without being part of comprehensive immigration reform that will have to address issues like securing the border, mandated e-Verify, and other essential components that will punish employers who have illegal aliens on payroll. It's all smoke and mirrors and even those who would benefit from such a legislation went to the streets and asked Obama to stop using this for political purposes. There will be no DREAM Act in any way, form, or shape for at least the next 2 years to come.

Wanna bet?

Enforcing boarders to the point of impossibility of penetration is not possible. The only example I know is Soviet Union and Eastern Germany during cold war. Even those boarders were crossed illegally all the time This is not possible. The only way to fight illegal immigration is to actually prosecute employers. This is the only way I see so far which can be done. Regarding DREAM Act: I am not sure. Democrats and republicans will use it in their own political games and you never know who wins...

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

Regarding DREAM Act: I am not sure. Democrats and republicans will use it in their own political games and you never know who wins...

but you can always be sure of who's gonna lose.

[san diego 407]

Currently California law enforcement looks the other way on employers that exploit illegal labor. You can pretty much enter any farm along Pacific coast and start prosecuting. I have a suspicion that you will not find a single farm without such labor.

but you can always be sure of who's gonna lose.

Yeah-yeah.. I still cannot get over the recent budget fight and possible government shut-down...

[san diego 407]

Despite the fact that I voted for Obama I do not remember times when so much time was spent by legislative and executive branches on political games. Every issue nowdays is a political game. I do not remember times when american people meant so little to the government and politics was so important. Now I do not even know whom to vote for during the next elections. I definitely do not want Obama to continue but I cannot agree with republicans on religious, gun control, and stem cell research, and abortion issues. I probably will not even vote at all. Just disgusted.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

At the end of the day its hard to feel cheated. My wife didn't have to cross a desert risking death, or live in fear of being apprehended.

[Zero Sum 305]

I am paying enough taxes being in the highest tax bracket to use such things for free. This is the first time I am using this type of subsidized schooling and I am entitled to use it free of charge by paying exuberant taxes. At least I can benefit partially from my taxes for a change. Unlike illegal immigrants that are not...

I see. So don't complain about it.

FYI- Many donations are tax-deductible.

Despite the fact that I voted for Obama I do not remember times when so much time was spent by legislative and executive branches on political games. Every issue nowdays is a political game. I do not remember times when american people meant so little to the government and politics was so important. Now I do not even know whom to vote for during the next elections. I definitely do not want Obama to continue but I cannot agree with republicans on religious, gun control, and stem cell research, and abortion issues. I probably will not even vote at all. Just disgusted.

Ask around about who likes to disenfranchise voters time and time again and then think about what your vote means to democracy.

At the end of the day its hard to feel cheated. My wife didn't have to cross a desert risking death, or live in fear of being apprehended.

The human and economic implication of these others matters none to many. Even while we reap the benefits of contributing, directly and indirectly, to those same cycles of inequalities that drive people this way.

[san diego 407]

Ask around about who likes to disenfranchise voters time and time again and then think about what your vote means to democracy.

The human and economic implication of these others matters none to many. Even while we reap the benefits of contributing, directly and indirectly, to those same cycles of inequalities that drive people this way.

The answer is: absolutely nothing. Current political arena players do not care about the voters at all. Just need another party. 2 party system is not working anymore or as it used to. Both parties just care about votes and corporate interests. I feel neither your or my vote mean anything now-days. Senators/congressmen start worrying about voters only before re-election.. The rest of the time they are just busy playing popularity games. None of them seem to have opinions anymore or political views. Seems like all of them will say anything just to be re-elected and have power in groups. As much as I liked Clinton and disliked Bush, at least during Bush era this was not the case. Politicians had strong opinions and followed their beliefs. Everything that current president is currently doing is to get re-elected. He is willing to say anything/do anything. For example:

1) Budget and government shut-down: he knew that this situation would lead to decrease of republican popularity and increase in his popularity. It was clear that this was the case

2) Same about immigration law. He does not care about illegal immigrants. All he cares about is getting votes of Latin-American groups.

I can go on and on.

[san diego 407]

Another example: Boarder Protection Act. As though throwing money at building the fence will stop anyone... Israel build the fence.. so what? Tunnels still exist.. explosives still get transported. Just another popularity move. and BTW, at our (taxpayers) expense. Just recently they discovered in SD area huge tunnel for drug smuggling. Would the fence help?? noway!

Edited May 20, 2011 by san diego