Although I'm not trying to glorify illegal immigration, I do not find it to be that bad of a crime. People ask, why can't people just come to the United States legally? Well, that can be a very difficult process. In order to become a legal citizen of another country, a person needs a good reason, such as having a job that has to be located in the U.S., being married to an American citizen, etc. What happens to people who are just trying to get out of their homeland to try to create better futures for their families, but they don't fall under any of the categories required to get here legally? Well, for some, the answer is to find an American to marry for a short time, until they get their green card. Is this really a better option than being here illegally? Not to me.
America is a melting pot and is full of diversity, yet many Americans make comments about the amount of Mexicans here. But how do Mexicans create a problem? Many come here in search of the American dream. Should we ban them of that dream?
People say illegal immigrants cause too much violence and criminal activity. Right now it is estimated that there are 11 million illegal immigrants here. Are the majority of them criminals? I don't think so. In my American government class, we're learning about laws, the death penalty, etc. 80% of convicted murderers who are sentenced to death are white men. Yes, immigrants can be white, but most are of hispanic origin. It seems to me that much of the violence in our country is caused by legal citizens; not immigrants.
Immigrants work in fields that many Americans do not prefer to work in. 20% in construction, 14% in manufacturing, etc. According to an April 3rd Newsweek article, illegal immigrants are 29% of all roofers and agricultural workers, 25% of brick masons ans construction laborers, 20% of computer hardware engineers, and 18% of upholsterers. Without these immigrants, there would be too many job openings in these fields.
People complain that the illegal immigrants don't pay taxes and many just get paid under the table. Then maybe the U.S. should make it easier to become a legal citizen.
Most Americans have ancestors who came here as immigrants. Can't we sympathize with these people at all? Can't you realize that many foreign countries are so much worse off than the U.S. that it is many foreigners' sole dream and goal to be able to come here?
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Regardless, it costs a crapload of money to house a prisoner (in the state of Virginia 22000 a year...minimum). These prisons are for OUR citizens. We have enough problem with crime and we don't need more from everywhere else. Did you hear that Presidente Vincente Fox of Mexico said that he was going to give us some of his prisoners....who are major drug lords? Oh, thats great! I love it. I say we cut everyone out. We're losing the sight of a bigger picture here--by focusing on illegal immigration we are completely forgetting about terrorism and the fact that many people who cross over from Mexico are also from the Middle East. We open our doors we open ourselves up for more and more terrorist attacks.
"Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity"
-Albert Einstein
So you think immigrants shouldn't be allowed to be here because a few of them will end up in prison, therefore costing us money? What about all the rest of them who are just trying to create better lives for themselves?
Immigration does not necessarily equal terrorism. Sure, some terrorists could potentially come here, but they can now. Do you really think all of our borders are protected? Well, they aren't. Much of the Mexican border is unguarded and doesn't even have fencing because it just costs too much. If a terrorist really wants to come here, I don't think immigration laws are going to stop them. And there could be terrorists living in our own country who could even be American citizens.
CRIME RATE and COST TO AMERICANS:
Here's some current information:
Bush Speech Ignores Criminal (Illegal) Aliens
Published: May 18, 2006
Author: Jim Kouri
During President George W. Bush's televised speech on the issue of illegal immigration, not once did he mention the hordes of criminals entering the United States and preying upon American citizens.
How often we hear the news media lamenting the fact that the US incarcerates more and more convicts each year. Want to reduce the incarceration rate? Then reduce criminals to enter the country illegally or enter legally but remain here illegally.
Some may accuse me of gross hyperbole when I say that the government of Mexico uses the US as their penal system, but truth be told, tens of thousands of criminal aliens who come into the US are from Mexico and our federal and state prisons, and local jails warehouse these lawbreakers at the expense of US taxpayers. Not only that, but the US provides an abundance of crime victims for these killers, robbers, rapists and child molesters.
When the United States incarcerates criminal aliens--noncitizens convicted of crimes while in this country legally or illegally--in federal and state prisons and local jails, the federal government bears much of the costs. It pays to incarcerate criminal aliens in federal prisons and reimburses state and local governments for a portion of their costs of incarcerating some, but not all, criminal aliens illegally in the country through the Department of Justice's State Criminal Alien Assistance Program managed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Some state and local governments have expressed concerns about the impact that criminal aliens have on already overcrowded prisons and jails and that the federal government reimburses them for only a portion of their costs of incarcerating criminal aliens. Congress requested that the General Accounting Office provide information concerning criminal aliens incarcerated at the federal, state, and local level. For the criminal aliens incarcerated, the state and local governments that received reimbursement through SCAAP, only received about 25 percent of the costs .
At the federal level, the number of criminal aliens incarcerated increased from about 42,000 at the end of calendar year 2001 to about 49,000 at the end of calendar year 2004--a 15 percent increase. The percentage of all federal prisoners who are criminal aliens has remained the same over the last 3 years--about 27 percent. The majority of criminal aliens incarcerated at the end of calendar year 2004 were identified as citizens of Mexico.
It is estimated the federal cost of incarcerating criminal aliens -- Bureau of Prison's cost to incarcerate criminals and reimbursements to state and local governments under SCAAP --totaled approximately $5.8 billion for calendar years 2001 through 2004. BOP's cost to incarcerate criminal aliens rose from about $950 million in 2001 to about $1.2 billion in 2004--a 14 percent increase.
Federal reimbursements for incarcerating criminal aliens in state prisons and local jails declined from $550 million in 2001 to $280 million in 2004, in a large part due to a reduction in congressional appropriations. At the state level, the 50 states received reimbursement for incarcerating about 77,000 criminal aliens in fiscal year 2002 and 47 states received reimbursement for incarcerating about 74,000 in fiscal year 2003.
For the 5 states incarcerating about 80 percent of these criminal aliens in fiscal year 2003, about 68 percent incarcerated in mid-year 2004 reported that the country of citizenship or country of birth as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or Cuba. Four of these 5 states spent about $1.6 billion to incarcerate criminal aliens reimbursed through SCAAP during fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Estimates are that the federal government reimbursed these four states about 25 percent or less of the estimated cost to incarcerate these criminal aliens in fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
At the local level, in fiscal year 2002, SCAAP reimbursed about 750 local governments for incarcerating about 138,000 criminal aliens. In fiscal year 2003, SCAAP reimbursed about 700 local governments for about 147,000 criminal aliens, with 5 local jail systems accounting for about 30 percent of these criminal aliens. The 147,000 criminal aliens incarcerated during fiscal year 2003 spent a total of about 8.5 million days in jail. Mexico leads as the country of birth for foreign-born arrestees at these 5 local jails in fiscal year 2003.
It's estimated that 4 of these 5 local jails spent $390 million in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 to incarcerate criminal aliens and were reimbursed about $73 million through SCAAP. It's believed that the federal government reimbursed these localities about 25 percent or less of the criminal alien incarceration cost in fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
(Sources: US Justice Department, US Bureau of Prisons, General Accounting Office, American Federation of Police, National Association of Chiefs of Police)
http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=141935
Isn't the whole principle behind America to be that great big melting pot of differing individuals from all over the globe? I was always taught that was our greatest attribute -- the Statue of Liberty greets those arriving in this country with open arms.
I approached this whole debate with one question, what makes illegal aliens illegal? The fact that they crossed the borders without receiving proper identification and documents. That's it. It is literally paper between a legal immigrant and an illegal one.
There are 11 million of these illegal aliens in the country right now, are they taking our jobs? Not really, the unemployment rate in the US is under 5% -- according to any economist, that is the safe level. Under 5% unemployment allows for too small a growth rate for new job/companies. So are the committing crimes? Aside from being an illegal immigrant, usually no. They don't want to bring extra attention to themselves. Are they hurting our economy? I haven't found a definitive answer to that but I suspect if at all the injury is minimal.
So what is the problem with illegal immigrants?? They are put into a position where they can be abused, mistreated, taken advantage of, and physically hurt without much retaliation or solution. Being illegal is much more harmful to the immigrant than to me.
I'm not advocating opening the door and just letting the crowd pile inside our boundaries. I think the way we have it set up would work pretty well if people actually obeyed the law -- i.e. when you are made aware of an illegal immigrant, notify law enforcement to have them deported. In all reality, it is for their protection, so they don't become austrocized from the system of govt we have in place to protect us -- all of us, American citizens and immigrants.
P.S. By dealing with other issues we are not forgeting about terrorism. We can't spend our whole lives consumed by "what ifs" and possibilities. Sure, terrorists may attack again, and hopefully our govt will not recreate the mismanagement that allowed 9-11 to succeed (ignoring all the warning signs and failing to act in the minutes before the attack).
It is amazing that the Republican spin machine rips immigrants like they are trash, one minute, and the next minute, they are courting the immigrant vote in order to pass some conservative measure, like banning abortion or gay marriage. In fact, California's successful gay marriage ban, and almost-successful teen abortion ban, rested a lot on immigrant votes - those who came legally and illegally, then put in their time to naturalize.
So even the Republicans need immigrants to get their conservative agenda going. Shame on them!
Most Americans have ancestors who came here as immigrants.
And how many of those came legally? What was the point of registering at Ellis Island if you could just show up? What do the people, who are coming in legally, think when they see their fellow countrymen just walking in?
It is amazing that the Republican spin machine rips immigrants like they are trash,
That's patent, partisan lib hack BS and you know it. Nobody, in Washingon at least, is saying that you can't come here. They're saying that you need to come here legally. We have laws on the books. By you're comments, one can conclude that libs have no interest in our laws.
Also, you fail to include the "Democrats" who are opposed to illegal immigration. You fail to mention the unions who are opposed to it as well. Essentially, George W. Bush is on the same side as they are, but, of course, it's more fun to bash Bush instead of acknowledging that.
Okay guys, let's not get off topic. Remember these are people's livelihoods were are debating. It doesn't matter which party wants which plan. The point is that these illegal immigrants are being abused and mistreated with no viable solution for fear of deportation.
It is more fun to bash Bush :) but in this case I fully support his efforts to tone down the House bill -- which seems utterly ridiculous! I think this is the first time I have agreed with Bush -- I guess there IS a first for everything.
On the other hand, the Senate's bill seems best suited to help those here illegally now. I don't particularly think it is right to uproot these people and send them home for lack of documentation, especially if they are otherwise employed and productive. The Senate wants to fine them for being illegal ($2000) and then put them on a path to citizenship. I think that is wonderful. We have to sort out all the immigrants here already, and they estimate there are between 11 and 12 million illegal immigrants here right now.
I am interested to hear what both parties think about this idea. What do you guys think?
Many of the Central Americans and Mexican nationals deported Thursday had criminal histories that include murder, drug possession, aggravated assault, larceny, burglary, sexual assault of a minor, gang activity and armed robbery, officials said.
May 19, 2006, 4:44PM
242 illegal immigrants deported from Houston
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Houston Thursday deported 242 illegal immigrants who had received final orders of deportation from federal immigration judges.
ICE buses transported the immigrants from their detention facilities to Bush Intercontinental Airport, where they were flown to their countries of origin, ICE officials said in a prepared statement today.
The group included 74 Honduran nationals and 36 Guatemalan nationals with violent criminal records and immigration violations, officials said. They flew in government aircraft via the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System, which is operated by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Thursday afternoon, ICE officers bused another 132 Mexican nationals to the southern Texas border, escorted them across the international bridge, and turned them over to Mexican authorities.
Many of the Central Americans and Mexican nationals deported Thursday had criminal histories that include murder, drug possession, aggravated assault, larceny, burglary, sexual assault of a minor, gang activity and armed robbery, officials said.
Many violent criminals from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico had been transferred to ICE custody after they served prison terms in state or federal facilities. Others had been apprehended by ICE National Fugitive Operations Program officers.
Some of the deportees were noncriminal aliens who had not complied with an immigration judge’s final orders of deportation.
The deportations were part of the Secure Border Initiative, a plan by the Department of Homeland Security to secure the U.S. borders and reduce illegal migration.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3875584.html
The Senate wants to fine them $5000 max plus a $1500 processing fee with no legalization guarantees.. it is absolutely crazy to think that a person making $24,000 a year can afford that.. especially with no guarantees. Okay, so if the fine were lower and there were guarantee I could deal with it. However, there are other measures in there like English only laws and "touching back" policies that do absolutely nothing but harm immigrants.
Americans act as if immigrants just leech off America, but they don't! Most immigrants work hard to have a better life. It's better to be poor in America than it is to be poor in Latin America. I'm certain most illegal immigrants would rather be legal but the process that it takes is too difficult and they don't have the money for a lawyer or there isn't time for them to deal with all the legalities.
Would I like no illegal immigration? Yeah, but will it happen with more laws to make legal immigration more complicated? No.
When did illegal aliens get to become an imigrant? The spin from the amnesty special interest grps is appalling. I am pro-immigration and anti-illegal immigration. You all are alienating real Americans. As a black American I am offended that this cause is being compaired to the 1950's and 60's Civil Rights Movement. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
I am an immigrant and so are my parents and I dont have anything against others coming to this country. Hey as long as there is room for everyone, I say let them come. BUT on the other hand, we will have to stop eventually because we will run out of space. And when we run out of space and become overpopulated, then I will run to another country that is virtually empty and set up there :)
How about this, my husband and I went to St. Martin to see my brother and wanted to stay longer and found out that we could not without approval becuase we were guests and if we overstayed our welcome we would become illegal aliens. Now how about that. And meanwhile, back home in America, we have tons of people coming in and staying in.
All I can say is, Unbelievable that's all.
I agree with the Guest who says that anyone who is comparing this to the Civil Rights Movement should be ashamed of themselves.
Ugh, it sickens me how you people can compare yourselves to that. The things African-Americans had to go through in order to get where they are today is appalling, and how they came out stronger than ever is amazing. You illegals came here, FORCED yourselves into this country when we are trying to get you out. This country is overpopulated anyways with 298,000,000 people, and we don't want you here. You take our health care, you take our welfare, you make our insurance rates go up, and WE are the ones who have to pay for it.
The Civil Rights Movement had to do with getting rights as an AMERICAN, not as an illegal immigrant. Damn. Be ashamed, be very ashamed.
"Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity--and I'm not so sure about the universe"
-Albert Einstein
"This country is overpopulated anyways with 298,000,000 people, and we don't want you here."
-Don't speak for everyone. I welcome the immigrants.
This country is overpopulated? To who? To you? You can't say that like it's a fact.
America is one of the least densely populated industrialized nations in the World.
USA -- 31 people per km/sq.
UK -- 246
Germany -- 232
The Netherlands -- 392
France -- 110
The World -- 41
China is about the same size and it's density is 137 per km/sq.
Now grant it there is some uninhabitable land but most Americans have plenty of space and more than enough resources. The other less densely populated nations are places like Russia and Canada.
Ok, honestly, I don't understand this debate at all. It's in the freakin title. "ILLEGAL ALIEN". What am I missing?
As for everyone who is giving up this argument of "oh well, Europeans immigrated here 300 years ago illegally". No. No, they didn't. Because America wasn't a country at that point. There was no established borders, no established government, no established laws saying "you need documentation to enter this country". Therefor, no laws were broken.
And if you want to go back to that era in time, let's go for it. Slavery wasn't illegal then either. Black people, CHAIN 'EM UP AGAIN! You're mad at your wife? Psh, beat that bitch, teach her a lesson! Domestic violence wasn't illegal. You think your neighbor is casting a spell on you? Well let's burn her at the stake! Not illegal.
Laws were created/changed for a reason. "As long as there's room for everyone". There's not. We are becoming over populated. And yes, it does cost money. And for those of you who think it's not a lot, it's somewhere in the 290 billion range.
And I am so sick of the argument that it's so hard to get citizenship, therefor it's ok to jump the border. My boyfriend is Canadian, and he plays baseball for the MLB. He is obtaining citizenship LEGALLY, through sponsers, and yes, it's taking him over 2 years to do. He's doing it though, not just hopping on a plane and saying "see ya later Canucks!". So for that argument, I have no sympathy. Thousands of people are entering the us illegally daily and my boyfriend, a baseball player, all american type of kid, good family and background, has to wait.
Finally, as a resident of New York, let me just say that perhaps terrorism isn't a big deal to people living in, oh, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming...but it is to me. Perhaps you didn't know 5 people who were in those towers that day. Perhaps your boyfriend at the time wasn't a firefighter in midtown. Perhaps you didn't wonder where in New York your sister was and if she was ok. Or maybe you didn't think "who do I know in those buildings" as they fell. But I did. All of those things, I did. And I take this very seriously. Opening our borders is like a free pass to terrorists to come here. And yes, it may already happen, but just because they get through doesn't mean we should disregard the system all together and just be like "fuck it, if one gets through anyway, we might as well let them all in". Are you crazy? Open borders is like a ticket to America with no documents, no questions via Mexico for terrorists. Maybe when you ride the subways and work in NY and worry every day that something's going to happen, you won't be so "ohh everyone deserves to be here".
So no, in honesty, I have absolutely not one ounce of sympathy for illegal, yes illegal immigrants. I'm sorry for their sorrows in Mexico, or where ever they may be from, but America isn't a refugee camp, it's one of the most powerful countries in the world. There is a process to immigrate that millions of people abide by each year, and I see no reason that Mexican illegal immigrants should be exempt from this process. My boyfriend isn't, my family wasn't, and I don't think anyone else should be. The first thing an illegal immigrant does when they step on US soil is break a law. What kind of citizen is that?
"Finally, as a resident of New York, let me just say that perhaps terrorism isn't a big deal to people living in, oh, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming...but it is to me."
-I live in Connecticut, so yes, I know many people who work everyday in the city and fortunately nobody I knew died, but there were som close calls, so I understand the threat of terrorism. But the root of the attacks were terrorist groups in the Middle East. Having secure borders isn't going to stop Al Qaeda and Bin Laden from proceeding with more terror attacks.
"Open borders is like a ticket to America with no documents, no questions via Mexico for terrorists."
-I don't think borders should be open but I think it should be easier go gain legal citizenship. And I dont think that those who are here already should be deported.
That is where you are so ridiculously naive and wrong. Do you realize how many anti American Arabs are currently in northern africa at camps training to blow us up? It's not just a one way ticket from the middle east to America. Cells have been found in Germany, countries in Africa, and yes, MEXICO.
The fact that the government is rought with corruption plays a huge part in this.
The idea being to produce a cell in Mexico by traveling FIRST from the middle east to mexico, establishing, and then being able to cross borders more easily because of the situation.
So no, Mexico isn't just filled with happy sombrero weavers who want to come over to America and cut our lawn fo 4 bucks a day. It's a direct link to easy access for middle eastern terrorists
Agreed peppermint! The borders shouldn't be open, but deporting all current illegals will cost Americans far more than it is worth.
In addition, the immigration law is difficult to maneuver. I read an editorial article in the Austin American Statesman when the debate began heating up a month or so ago. An American man -- upstanding citizen and highly connected -- met and fell in love with a Mexican lady here in Austin. They courted and eventually decided to marry. Because of current restrictions and her expired visa they married in Mexico. 3 years and 2 children later and the US govt still continued to deny the man's wife and children citizenship. He refused to use his political power to sneak them across -- but was it worth missing the first years of his children's lives?!? It is obvious to me that when you wed for the green card you don't start breeding. This was a legit situation where the US govt came between a man and his family -- for what??
Like I said before, I don't advocate opening the borders, but when a legitamate person is denied his American rights -- the right to have his family with him -- something is definately wrong with the system.
One of the reasons that laws are created is so that the personal freedom of others are protected. We're not talking about some 'Jim Crow' that is proposed to keep someone in from obtaining economic wealth or political status. we're talking about proposing a law that will keep the real criminals out. I don't know if anybody else has stopped to contrast the current event (i.e. proposed legislation to fortify our borders) with the events of 9/11. I wonder how adament opposers of H.R. 4437 would feel if the Hamas wanted to take up residence here because they were not being financially backed by the Isreal government? I'm not saying that people should try to criminilize people and use that as an excuse for racial explotation. But I just want for everybody to keep in mind that every country has a legalization process (not just us) and consider the pros of the proposed legislation as well as the cons.
T. Hagan
The May 1, 2006 Immigration March Was A Success!
I thought you'd be interested in some facts I received. It appears that the Immigration March last Monday in Los Angeles was a success!
According to data from the Los Angeles County Sheriff, Los Angeles had a reduction in the following:
82% reduction - auto theft
28% " " - murders/ violent crimes/ rapes
73% " " - vandalism / tagging
54% " " - drug related offenses (not including the area surrounding the march)
31% " " - domestic violence cases
64% " " - misdemeanor cases (shop lifting, etc.)
CHP reported that Monday, May 1, was a record low in the least amount of traffic accidents on South CA freeways. Looks like the immigration rally was well worth it. Maybe we can do this one again sometime. Sure saves the State of California a chunk of money!
Here's a recent article:
Fitchburg resident against amnesty for illegal immigrants
Letters to the Editor
Let us not forget that the staged rally and boycott wasn't about immigrants, it was about illegal immigrants. Only in America can someone who shouldn't be here at all demand that we as a nation change our rules to accomodate the law breakers! Do most people even realize that the government of Mexico is assisting these criminals in an attempt to influence our national politics! I repeat, another government is attempting to influence our politics! If this were any other country it would be considered an act of war.
Let us also consider what would have happened if an American citizen had participated in a similar demonstration in Mexico. He/She would have, at best, been deported immediately. Do you know it is against the law to defame, rewrite or change their national anthem in any way? Yet these same illegal aliens in our country have no problem spitting on our national anthem.
Here is a fun little fact as well. Mexico will shoot, without question, any trespassers to their southern border if it feels they are attempting to enter into their country illegally, yet the Mexican government refuses to allow us our right as a nation to protect our own border as we see fit! All this while they knowingly assist illegals and even activate military on our border at their leisure. Right now 1 in 20 people living upon our soil is an illegal immigrant, that is 5 percent of our population!!! How long do we have to put up with the rape and theiving of our our social ,medical and financial resources? Why do those who couldn't wait in line to do it right have the right to ask me for anything?
Not everyone in America deserves to be American! This is extremely evident if you take some time to think about the fact that they broke the law to get in here in the first place! It is not a right to be an American Citizen, it is a privelege, one which you are supposed to request respectfully, one which we as a nation should consider granting with circumstantial consideration. I don't feel law breaking is a great circumstance under which to provide such a great reward.
I would like to mention one more thought to think about. If Mexico is such a bad place to live why is it these 12 million illegals that are demanding we change our country don't return to theirs and change it for the better? Wake up America!!!!
Joseph Miller - Fitchburg
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_3784909
I do agree that if there are so many Mexican people over here willing to work for less, then why can't they put all that effort into their own country, unless they are fearing their lives of course.
Because working for less here is still more than working in Mexico. Even at minimum wage they make more in the US than they could expect to make in Mexico in the same type of job.
Is it that you look down on poor and struggling American citizens? Perhaps you prefer that poor and struggling middle class Americans wages' be dropped to third world standards, despite the fact that they have to pay first world prices? Perhaps you just think it would acceptable if we create a large slave class of workers with no rights?
Tell me who is lobbying for working poor American citizens?
Why do you not believe that we should demand countries south of the border raise wages and opportunities for their own people? Mexico is a wealthy country, as are other countries south of the border. This is not a case like the poverty in Darfur, this is a case of working for cheaper wages and being subsidized by the American taxpayer at the same time. If you even knew what those jobs paid, you would know that no one could afford to live on them, let alone save and send money home. Illegal alien labor and amnesty is a scam to destroy American wages, workplace protections, environmental protections, the safety net, public education, everything across the board. It's corporate welfare.
It is true that some Latin American countries are wealthy, such as Brazil, Argentina or Chile... But the truth is that most of them are not. Speaking of Mexico, the fact is that there is a 40% of population in extreme poverty, and it is caused by the little work development in the country. In America there is not that kind of poverty. How many people die of hunger or thirst?
Talking about the total population, only 4% has the means of developing Businesses to create jobs. These means that 40% of the population depends on the 4%. Plus, there are not that many opportunities of getting investment for it.
I don't really believe it is a "scam"
These are only people looking for a better life. They know nothing about economy, or how their moving out to a new country affects it.
You are correct that Mexico has a lot of people living in poverty. But it is not extreme poverty like you find in most of the world. Of the 6 billion people on earth, about 5 billion of them are poorer than the average Mexican. I have never read that people are starving in Mexico. I have frequently read that most illegal immigrants from Mexico left low paying jobs in Mexico for higher paying jobs in the USA. In other words, they are not economic refugees but rather just ambitious people who want to give themselves a raise. There is no reason that they should be allowed to jump in front of the World's other poor people.
Mexico is an extremely well endowed country with abundant wealth. The only reason the people there are poor is because they have a corrupt government run by a corrupt rich elite that hates the brown people and has a deliberate policy of forcing them out of Mexico into the USA. The way to change this government is to make them keep their own mass of dissatisfied citizens.
Think about it. Besides oil which the elites have mostly stolen for themselves, Mexico has thousands of miles of beautiful undeveloped coast line. They have laws that make it impossible for a non-Mexican to own land within 50 miles of the coast. (There is no such restriction on any foreign national in the USA.) Mexico could solve all of their problems tomorrow simply by reforming their property laws. Lots of Americans would love a house on the Mexican coast and they would set off a building boom that created massive wealth and millions of jobs and the new homeowners would support all sorts of service economic activity long into the future. They would also create a tax base that might even result in some decent public schools in Mexico if the corrupt didn't steal it.
There is no reason why Mexico's problems which stem from its own corrupt and incompetent governance have to be our problems. Send the illegals home and they will be the agent of change.
Where do you get the info about jobs Americans do not want to do? I'll quote you below:
Immigrants work in fields that many Americans do not prefer to work in. 20% in construction, 14% in manufacturing, etc. According to an April 3rd Newsweek article, illegal immigrants are 29% of all roofers and agricultural workers, 25% of brick masons ans construction laborers, 20% of computer hardware engineers, and 18% of upholsterers. Without these immigrants, there would be too many job openings in these fields.
Those were jobs that have always lifted Americans out of poverty. Too many young Americans leave high school and are unable to get those jobs any more. Perhaps you might not want to do those jobs, but you do not have the right to speak for all Americans.
In the meat packing industry, Americans used to earn 16 to 18 dollars an hour. Many of those who worked in those jobs were African Americans, and those jobs paid them enough to insure they could keep a roof over their families heads, and food on the table. They were fired and replaced by illegal aliens earning 8 dollars an hour. Do you think a job at Walmart earning 6 dollars an hour is a step up for them?
There are too many American tech workers, and young Americans building up student loan debt to get degrees in the tech field. who will never be allowed to work in those fields if no nothings like you have their way.
You apparently don't know real American workers, or have any idea about those jobs you want to write off. Perhaps you really don't care to know.. that said, those with your level of ignorance have no right to speak about such things.
There are too many Americans getting liberal arts degrees, and tech degrees like Digital Arts that have way too many graduates in a limited field.
Other than that, I am in complete agreement.