Does illegal immigration upset you big time too?

[mrsserendipity 0]

I am not sure if I am right but it seems that you where not born a American citizen but now live in the US and have done all the proper things to be here right?

And if this is the case I applaud you for your view point coming from someone not born here. Americans are made up of all people from all over the world and that’s what helps make this the country it now is. But what I feel is even greater is that coming here like you did the right way and saying it like it is. Is the real definition of being American. Not all the paper work that says what one my be.

i was born in former yugoslavia. when clinton was bombing the area, we had our aunt sponsor us and we came to the US legally on a visa. then we filed timely papers for others files. then after 9/11, they started screwing with us. i was still under my parent's application. then our lawyer decided to end his practice, we didn't receive something we were supposed to, we were asked to leave. we left right away before having to be deported and went legally into canada. i had already been with my now-husband for years, so we continued our relationship, we were also just across the bridge from each other. we waited a few more years, got married. we decided for me to come to the US. i now have permanent residence. it was all worth it.

[smoke20 0]

mrsserendipity, we're beating a dead horse. noone is going to change anyones minds in here. its obvious some people don't understand the difference between a "politcal view point" & the law. i wonder how many people with the "amnesty for all" stance on this issue, actually live in a place affected by illegal immigrants. i live in the south, i see it first hand not on a news show. i think if some of these peoples lives were affected by the illegal population their "political point of view" or sence of right & wrong would be different.

*rolls her eyes*

I'm still more ticked off at the companies that break laws every day by employing illegals, and the US government who on a continual basis can't get their thumbs out of their collective arses to come to a decent solution to the whole problem, than I am at people who are taking advantage of the very wide loopholes.

BTW, I live in the same state as you, and I am curious how your life is personally affected by illegal immigrants. I am serious about this request.

i live on the south side of OKC cassie. that should answer your request. if not, drive thru sometime-nuthin but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner. very few are here legally. & not a construction job in site unless you're illegal "coz they don't have to pay you a decent wage, 2 illegals will do it cheaper"

*roll my eyes now*

[mrsserendipity 0]

you do not like the law, move to a different country.

Seems you're the one who has a problem with the status quo. Maybe you should move. (ETA: this is sarcasm because I think the idea of telling someone that if they don't like such and such about America they should move is completely asinine)

And yes, I am for a more liberal overall immigration policy. Sorry that makes you so angry.

you do not make me angry. i thought we were all just having a discussion?

who's status quo? has the bill passed? that doesn't make any sense. you're the one who's not happy with how things are.

My point is that illegal immigration does not get me all riled up. The status quo is the current state of affairs, i.e. the presence of 12 million illegal immigrants. Presumably, you're not ok with that.

As for making you angry, sorry I jumped to conclusions. But as soon as someone tells me to get out of my country, I assume that I have hit a nerve.

my problem is with the immigration bill. i feel for some of these people. i do not however think they should be given amnesty. there will ALWAYS be illegal immigration, that is not my problem. my problem is how the US wants to deal with them.

the bill is ridiculous. can we with that? it doesn't make any sense. i realize they're trying to change some parts, but they want the illegal immigrants to first go back to their countries and apply. they will never do that.

i wasn't literally telling you to leave.

other people have said the same thing here in the VJ forums before, and they meant it. 'Tis a natural reaction to take is at face value.

i wouldn't literally tell someone to leave. who the hellll am i to do that? haha. i get confused when they say how great of a country this is, but then they don't like how it functions. it is by far far from perfect, but compared to other countries, it is a great place.

[Cassie 8]

mrsserendipity, we're beating a dead horse. noone is going to change anyones minds in here. its obvious some people don't understand the difference between a "politcal view point" & the law. i wonder how many people with the "amnesty for all" stance on this issue, actually live in a place affected by illegal immigrants. i live in the south, i see it first hand not on a news show. i think if some of these peoples lives were affected by the illegal population their "political point of view" or sence of right & wrong would be different.

*rolls her eyes*

I'm still more ticked off at the companies that break laws every day by employing illegals, and the US government who on a continual basis can't get their thumbs out of their collective arses to come to a decent solution to the whole problem, than I am at people who are taking advantage of the very wide loopholes.

BTW, I live in the same state as you, and I am curious how your life is personally affected by illegal immigrants. I am serious about this request.

i live on the south side of OKC cassie. that should answer your request. if not, drive thru sometime-nuthin but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner. very few are here legally. & not a construction job in site unless you're illegal "coz they don't have to pay you a decent wage, 2 illegals will do it cheaper"

*roll my eyes now*

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

[bowflex 0]

hey well if thats the case - my K1 did take more than a year and we had the SAME CO that you did in Montreal, and stateside we are waiting even longer to complete AOS. Still does not make me feel the way you do. This is a political item, and a highly emotional one at that.

Jenn - I agree with you 100%. Not everyone going the "legal" route feels this way.

In my post I was mentioning our case but I stated that it wasn't so much based on us, but as far as the AOS goes, I'm sorry but you should've filed a CR then

Your case is a breeze compared to someone that is not sponsored by a signifincant other, as war ours relatively speaking. I'm telling you to try and go through it as my wife's parents did. Left a country that doesn't speak English (even though they're both very smart and do speak several languages), take your daughters to a brand new country, and go through the process for 15 years, getting yanked around constantly, dealing with horrible representatives of the United States, and then talk to me. You're going through a relative cake-walk compared to them, as if we went deeply into it they pretty much lived in a 15 year hell of not knowing what was going on and being pulled around like puppets by the government whenever the government felt it was fit.

If they had to go through such travesties to get into the States, I will not accept that because someone else feels they need a better life they can bypass the entire system while others are struggling to do it the right way. There is no doubt there needs to be reform and change, but completely breaking the law is not one way to do it at all.

[KarenCee 3]

karen, you took that way personally. i did not mean to offend you, or anyone else. i was just stating facts. when the "white man" came here it was not a country, it was an unsettled territory. not a country w/ a gov't, social services, an economy etc.(a nation). sorry the "white man" took land from native american tribes. i believe they have been appoligized to & compensated. as well as benifited in many other ways from the "white mans" country they built here. we are talking about illegal immigration into a nation. not taking land from native tribes. noone said it was right for the "white man". to do what they did, but everyone here has benifited.

Curious, Mike...why did you bold "white man"? The subject of Native Americans was brought up by someone else...I simply expressed an opinion. You can't seem to let this go for some reason so since you can't seem to let go, I'll play along with you. I can assure you that some apology has been extended and the benefits (as you seem to call them) are miniscule. Those that choose to live off the reservations do not benefit from the existence offered to them through the government...their attempt at offering "compensation". Do you call living on a reservation a benefit? I'm not so sure I do. However, you won't hear many Native Americans in the news griping about things aren't fair to them...not like you hear the current illegals complaining and protesting here in the States today.

BTW...I am not offended in any way...as I have learned long ago not to let things of this nature upset me. I shall, of course, express an opinion. I have no issue with whether or not you or anyone else feels the same. Now, can you let this go?

[smoke20 0]

mrsserendipity, we're beating a dead horse. noone is going to change anyones minds in here. its obvious some people don't understand the difference between a "politcal view point" & the law. i wonder how many people with the "amnesty for all" stance on this issue, actually live in a place affected by illegal immigrants. i live in the south, i see it first hand not on a news show. i think if some of these peoples lives were affected by the illegal population their "political point of view" or sence of right & wrong would be different.

*rolls her eyes*

I'm still more ticked off at the companies that break laws every day by employing illegals, and the US government who on a continual basis can't get their thumbs out of their collective arses to come to a decent solution to the whole problem, than I am at people who are taking advantage of the very wide loopholes.

BTW, I live in the same state as you, and I am curious how your life is personally affected by illegal immigrants. I am serious about this request.

i live on the south side of OKC cassie. that should answer your request. if not, drive thru sometime-nuthin but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner. very few are here legally. & not a construction job in site unless you're illegal "coz they don't have to pay you a decent wage, 2 illegals will do it cheaper"

*roll my eyes now*

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

i use to work contruction, before i went back & got my degree. the belt buckles...etc. was a little more plesant than saying. drugs, hookers, gangs, drive bys, car jacking & rape(i was trying to put a pic in your head w/o being so litteral). all of which has sky rocketed in the last 5 years. property value is tanking. its pathetic..check out news9 website click on crimetracker up top (in red) type in a south side zip. you will be amazed.

[bowflex 0]

hey well if thats the case - my K1 did take more than a year and we had the SAME CO that you did in Montreal, and stateside we are waiting even longer to complete AOS. Still does not make me feel the way you do. This is a political item, and a highly emotional one at that.

Jenn - I agree with you 100%. Not everyone going the "legal" route feels this way.

I can of course respect everyone's different view point on this, it's just that most folks on this board wait no longer than a year, and definitely no longer than 2 to complete the process of getting to the States. I can only imagine if I was one of those folks that had to fight tooth and nail to get into a country, and then to finally get work authorization and everything only to see someone that strolled across the border one night across the work site from me.

I also question why you put legal in quotation marks. No matter how you feel about the subject, anyone who has a visa did it the legal way, and anyone who just snuck across is illegal by the very definition.

[udlike2no2 0]

I am not sure if I am right but it seems that you where not born a American citizen but now live in the US and have done all the proper things to be here right?

And if this is the case I applaud you for your view point coming from someone not born here. Americans are made up of all people from all over the world and that’s what helps make this the country it now is. But what I feel is even greater is that coming here like you did the right way and saying it like it is. Is the real definition of being American. Not all the paper work that says what one my be.

i was born in former yugoslavia. when clinton was bombing the area, we had our aunt sponsor us and we came to the US legally on a visa. then we filed timely papers for others files. then after 9/11, they started screwing with us. i was still under my parent's application. then our lawyer decided to end his practice, we didn't receive something we were supposed to, we were asked to leave. we left right away before having to be deported and went legally into canada. i had already been with my now-husband for years, so we continued our relationship, we were also just across the bridge from each other. we waited a few more years, got married. we decided for me to come to the US. i now have permanent residence. it was all worth it.

Now I understand your post more and more. I just happen to agree with you and didn’t even go thought the hardship you did. If I did I don’t even think I could be as mellow on here as you have been this topic. I see know that I am just a little spoiled having been born in the US but that was out of my control. I do feel that most people from other countries love their country and do not want to leave like my Ukrainian fiancée but will for love not just opportunity. I do not think its fare that people want to come and work take the money or send it back to their country and don’t want nothing but the US tax payers to pay for this because they think this is the land of plenty and we owe them something. We already have plenty of US citizens in this country that think the US owes them something because we brought them here in the past as they collect my money for welfare. Yeah I know its not everybody but that’s my point give them an inch to do some good and they want it all.

[LaL 418]

to answer your topic title in the most simplistic of ways :

Does illegal immigration upset you big time too?

not nearly as much as it seems to bother you.

nice how a mod-who should remain neutral- is trying to PO bowflex as well

point of clarification - I am a member mod, member being primary and foremost, and in no way was I trying to "PO" bowflex. I was answering his question in a cheeky way.

[udlike2no2 0]

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

You are kidding right? If you lived in a area like that your saying you would not be affected? Do you have childrean I do 3 and I cant see what he is saying with both eyes shut.

[smoke20 0]

karen, you took that way personally. i did not mean to offend you, or anyone else. i was just stating facts. when the "white man" came here it was not a country, it was an unsettled territory. not a country w/ a gov't, social services, an economy etc.(a nation). sorry the "white man" took land from native american tribes. i believe they have been appoligized to & compensated. as well as benifited in many other ways from the "white mans" country they built here. we are talking about illegal immigration into a nation. not taking land from native tribes. noone said it was right for the "white man". to do what they did, but everyone here has benifited.

Curious, Mike...why did you bold "white man"? The subject of Native Americans was brought up by someone else...I simply expressed an opinion. You can't seem to let this go for some reason so since you can't seem to let go, I'll play along with you. I can assure you that some apology has been extended and the benefits (as you seem to call them) are miniscule. Those that choose to live off the reservations do not benefit from the existence offered to them through the government...their attempt at offering "compensation". Do you call living on a reservation a benefit? I'm not so sure I do. However, you won't hear many Native Americans in the news griping about things aren't fair to them...not like you hear the current illegals complaining and protesting here in the States today.

BTW...I am not offended in any way...as I have learned long ago not to let things of this nature upset me. I shall, of course, express an opinion. I have no issue with whether or not you or anyone else feels the same. Now, can you let this go?

yes the subject of native americans was brought up by someone else. but the subject of the white man taking land was brought up by you. and it was brought up very politely either. just pointing it out to you. & benefits lets try very little taxes on tribal gaming for starters, free medical as well. like i said i wasn't trying to offend anyone & i'm truely sorry if i did. but, don't point a finger if you don't want it pointed back.

no hard feelings i hope

Edited June 15, 2007 by mike/jennilyn

[udlike2no2 0]

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

You are kidding right? If you lived in a area like that your saying you would not be affected? Do you have childrean I do 3 and I can see what he is saying with both eyes shut.

Is it me or can u edit your post here? If there is I cant find it.

[Cassie 8]

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

You are kidding right? If you lived in a area like that your saying you would not be affected? Do you have childrean I do 3 and I cant see what he is saying with both eyes shut.

Nope, I am not kidding, I truly am trying to understand, as I know some illegal immigrants and "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" can't be used to describe them or the area they live in. I'm trying to get more specific as opposed to settling for generalizations.

I rolled my eyes at the rhetoric of your first post, not at facts to be investigated. I am trying to understand how illegal immigration has affected you personally -- ie. do you work in construction and have a hard time finding employment because the jobs are all taken? And how does "but wire wheels, big belt buckles, mariachi's & dope peddlers on every corner" affect you? Just trying to understand.

You are kidding right? If you lived in a area like that your saying you would not be affected? Do you have childrean I do 3 and I can see what he is saying with both eyes shut.

Is it me or can u edit your post here? If there is I cant find it.

I have the ability to edit, not sure if everyone does. I have a edit button next to the quote button.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Cassie

[Fuzzness 2]

karen, you took that way personally. i did not mean to offend you, or anyone else. i was just stating facts. when the "white man" came here it was not a country, it was an unsettled territory. not a country w/ a gov't, social services, an economy etc.(a nation). sorry the "white man" took land from native american tribes. i believe they have been appoligized to & compensated. as well as benifited in many other ways from the "white mans" country they built here. we are talking about illegal immigration into a nation. not taking land from native tribes. noone said it was right for the "white man". to do what they did, but everyone here has benifited.

Curious, Mike...why did you bold "white man"? The subject of Native Americans was brought up by someone else...I simply expressed an opinion. You can't seem to let this go for some reason so since you can't seem to let go, I'll play along with you. I can assure you that some apology has been extended and the benefits (as you seem to call them) are miniscule. Those that choose to live off the reservations do not benefit from the existence offered to them through the government...their attempt at offering "compensation". Do you call living on a reservation a benefit? I'm not so sure I do. However, you won't hear many Native Americans in the news griping about things aren't fair to them...not like you hear the current illegals complaining and protesting here in the States today.

BTW...I am not offended in any way...as I have learned long ago not to let things of this nature upset me. I shall, of course, express an opinion. I have no issue with whether or not you or anyone else feels the same. Now, can you let this go?

yes the subject of native americans was brought up by someone else. but the subject of the white man taking land was brought up by you. and it was brought up very politely either. just pointing it out to you. & benefits lets try very little taxes on tribal gaming for starters, free medical as well. like i said i wasn't trying to offend anyone & i'm truely sorry if i did. but, don't point a finger if you don't want it pointed back.

no hard feelings i hope

I feel like I have to say something here. When the white man came here, these lands were actually several countries. The dictionary (forget which one) defines a country as a state or nation. A country does not need any kind of official govt or social security system to exist. The native americans did have countries and that is actually a well established fact. They also had govt systems, at the local and national level. The white man did come over here and took those lands away. Were this done today it would be considered illegal. I suppose that there were no police here at the time or any form of law enforcement means it wasn't illegal immigration (at the time) but it certainly wasn't legal.

The compensation offered to the native americans is a joke. They were given a bit of land to live off of. The native americans lived off great expanses of lands, so to put them on such small pieces of land is more like putting them in jail. Sure they don't pay taxes (if they live on reservations) but is that really a big compensation? Native americans were not just removed off their land but their game has been overhunted and their fish have been overfished. Their trees have been clear cut and their way of life pretty much lost forever. Their spirituality is nearly all gone as well thanks to "missionaries" converting them to their way.

I think native americans have had it pretty crappy back then. But today you don't hear many complaining.