Deporting the bad and letting the good stay

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In your opinion, what sectors are illegals currently a significant portion of the labor force? Just curious. Obviously I'd say agri and food production... food service... other service sectors... I don't see many, I think, much higher than that.

There are stats out there. I think it's something like 20% in agriculture, 15% in cleaning businesses, 15% construction, 15% food prep/restaurants, 10% landscaping. Those would be the major sectors where illegal employment is prevalent.

[Zero Sum 305]

We've been down this road several times before and amnesty has always done one thing: ENCOURAGE more people to come. And then we'd be having this debate again 10, 15, 20 years down the road when trying to figure out what to do with the next batch of then 20 million people that are here illegally. That's the ugly truth here.

I am not in favor of kicking young people that have been brought here as minors and are pursuing their edcutation. But before there can be any consideration whatsoever of legalizing their status, there must be strict and effective enforecement of employment eligibility across the board. Any business that employs people not eligible for employment ought to be taxed $1MM per unlawful employee and repeat offenders ought to be sent up the river. Once that is in place, there will be no market for migrants ineligible to work here and hence, there will be no illegal migrants. Then I would be ready to say to those that are here, pay your back taxes, do service to the country, get in line and apply for lawful status.

Yes. That is balanced approach.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Wow!!! I cannot believe the BS I am seeing in this thread. Saying we should let the "Good" illegals stay is like saying that if someone broke into my home and was not hurting anyone, that I should let them stay. I'm sorry but they came into this country with a premeditated decision to bypass US Immigration laws. That makes them a criminal.

Also children who are not born to a US Citizen, should not have that priveledge granted to them just because of the location they were born. There was a time for this law, but that was over 100 years ago and no longer serves the purpose it was designed for.

Now I do feel that Amnesty should be granted to those who came across as children without any say in the matter and grew up in America. These children's ties are generally to their immediate family and friends they have known their entire life and not to a country they have never known.

You must be new here.

[decocker 7,198]

Yeah, that's what they said in the 80's.

Get a clue on illegal immigration. You give them amnesty now, they'll keep on coming.

Amnesty also is a slap in the face to every single person on this forum. Hell, on any forum like this and anyone else who does things the LEGAL way.

i am an american citizen by birth. my husband and i paid the same amount as you to obtain a legal status for my spouse - i don't encourage doing immigration any way BUT the legal way.

fact is, we have an issue to deal with - the humans that are already here, and have been raised here. and as far as i'm concerned, it is more a humanitarian issue than an immigration issue.

they will keep coming as long as we don't get serious about border control. not if we deal with an existing problem with a sensible solution.

[Zero Sum 305]

There are stats out there. I think it's something like 20% in agriculture, 15% in cleaning businesses, 15% construction, 15% food prep/restaurants, 10% landscaping. Those would be the major sectors where illegal employment is prevalent.

Indeed. These are sectors, therefore, that should see an increase in citizens/residents focusing their attack against firms that contract illegal labor- with the corresponding attitude shift among those here legally willing to actually do it, not just pay lip service to 'honest work' without any honesty whatsoever.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i'm sorry. what is an anchor baby? last time i checked - having a child in the united states does not give you an 'anchor' for citizenship.

It doesn't? You need to read up on the various paths to US residency and citizenship. A child with US citizenship can very well sponsor parents for immigration benefits. Not immediately but eventually - gotta be 21. I know I could get my parents over here and put them on a path to US citizenship. As could my wife. And we're both not even natural born US citizens.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Mr. Big Dog

[Zero Sum 305]

i am an american citizen by birth. my husband and i paid the same amount as you to obtain a legal status for my spouse - i don't encourage doing immigration any way BUT the legal way.

fact is, we have an issue to deal with - the humans that are already here, and have been raised here. and as far as i'm concerned, it is more a humanitarian issue than an immigration issue.

they will keep coming as long as we don't get serious about border control. not if we deal with an existing problem with a sensible solution.

So again, it seems you're pretty much only addressing the DREAM-eligible kids. At least its how I read it. I am not sure others will read thoroughly. Anger and hysteria tends to do that to some people.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

i am an american citizen by birth. my husband and i paid the same amount as you to obtain a legal status for my spouse - i don't encourage doing immigration any way BUT the legal way.

fact is, we have an issue to deal with - the humans that are already here, and have been raised here. and as far as i'm concerned, it is more a humanitarian issue than an immigration issue.

they will keep coming as long as we don't get serious about border control. not if we deal with an existing problem with a sensible solution.

What's the humanitarian issue here? That these people have no country to return to? Not so in most cases. What would be humanitarian is to teach them that the laws apply to them, too, and that it's best to do things legally so law abiding people don't resent you. Then, send them back to reform their own laws instead of trying to break or reform ours.

[Zero Sum 305]

It doesn't? You need to read up on the various paths to US residency and citizenship. A child with US citizenship can very well sponsor parents for immigration benefits. Not immediately but eventually - gotta be 21. I know I could get my parents over here and put them on a path to US citizenship. As could my wife. And we're both not even natural born US citizens.

Like many other nations, this is something that can be addressed.

[decocker 7,198]

So again, it seems you're pretty much only addressing the DREAM-eligible kids. At least its how I read it. I am not sure others will read thoroughly. Anger and hysteria tends to do that to some people.

haha, yes. i'm seeing that. i want a sensible approach towards the people that are here already, by no fault of their own. i don't care that they stayed after they turned 18. i don't care if they petition for their parents when they turn 21. if they pay the money and do it legally, i don't care. because in that case, they are doing nothing any different than what i did when i paid money and petitioned my husband.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I did read all 7 pages, and there is IMO a very clear line of action from both sides of the discussion.

No. 1 - There needs to be a stop gap measure to protect minors. (including perhaps making it a felony to bring children across federal borders, whilst protecting children already here, or young adults who were brought as minors.)

No. 2 - There needs to be a plan to stop new immigrants from entering. Probably an incentive based one - heavy fines for employers...maybe even a felony for hiring an illegal.

No. 3 - The migrant visa program needs expanding to guarantee farm labor is available. Farmers must pay min. wage or lower with housing etc.

We do not need illegals in retail, construction or domestic settings. (infact its a danger to health and safety)

Edited August 19, 2011 by Sousuke

[Sofiyya 1,687]

haha, yes. i'm seeing that. i want a sensible approach towards the people that are here already, by no fault of their own. i don't care that they stayed after they turned 18. i don't care if they petition for their parents when they turn 21. if they pay the money and do it legally, i don't care. because in that case, they are doing nothing any different than what i did when i paid money and petitioned my husband.

You feel that way coz your husband came from next door. Send them back and make them all process through like our spouses who were not next door had to do.

We need to make it a felony to be here illegally, then act like it's a felony.

I did read all 7 pages, and there is IMO a very clear line of action from both sides of the discussion.

No. 1 - There needs to be a stop gap measure to protect minors. (including perhaps making it a felony to bring children across federal borders, whilst protecting children already here, or young adults who were brought as minors.)

No. 2 - There needs to be a plan to stop new immigrants from entering. Probably an incentive based one - heavy fines for employers...maybe even a felony for hiring an illegal.

No. 3 - The migrant visa program needs expanding to guarantee farm labor is available. Farmers must pay min. wage or lower with housing etc.

We do not need illegals in retail, construction or domestic settings.

[Zero Sum 305]

haha, yes. i'm seeing that. i want a sensible approach towards the people that are here already, by no fault of their own. i don't care that they stayed after they turned 18. i don't care if they petition for their parents when they turn 21. if they pay the money and do it legally, i don't care. because in that case, they are doing nothing any different than what i did when i paid money and petitioned my husband.

And it would seem, by the service/academic (proxy for economic infusion to the economy) requirements of such things like DREAM, they'd be doing something for the nation whereas many born here to two American parents, would never have done in their entire lives.

I did read all 7 pages, and there is IMO a very clear line of action from both sides of the discussion.

No. 1 - There needs to be a stop gap measure to protect minors. (including perhaps making it a felony to bring children across federal borders, whilst protecting children already here, or young adults who were brought as minors.)

No. 2 - There needs to be a plan to stop new immigrants from entering. Probably an incentive based one - heavy fines for employers...maybe even a felony for hiring an illegal.

No. 3 - The migrant visa program needs expanding to guarantee farm labor is available. Farmers must pay min. wage or lower with housing etc.

We do not need illegals in retail, construction or domestic settings. (infact its a danger to health and safety)

These could be balanced approaches to addressing the issue.

[decocker 7,198]

You feel that way coz your husband came from next door. Send them back and make them all process through like our spouses who were not next door had to do.

We need to make it a felony to be here illegally, then act like it's a felony.

Excuse me?

I went through the same process as you, excluding the mandatory AP.

Watch yourself.

[Ban Hammer 13,498]

sofiyya, be a dear and stop posting before i run outta plus 1's