This one is for those who don't know much about the bill except the fact that it would deport illegal immigrants. Read it and educate yourself. After reading this, maybe you would understand why many people are so against it. Seriously, it's more than just deporting illegal immigrants.
From http://www.ilrc.org/HR4437.php
Dangerous Immigration Legislation Pending in Congress!
Something akin to a panic has descended upon the immigrants’ rights community with the introduction in December 2005 of Republican House Judiciary Committee Chairman Sensenbrenner’s HR 4437, The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. Passed last week in the House and poised to move quickly through the Senate, if passed, HR 4437 could signal some of the most sweepingly dramatic changes in immigration law since the now infamous Illegal Immigration Reform and Individual Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 and could actually surpass that law in gutting judicial review and eroding due process.
Nothing in the bill provides a comprehensive and realistic plan for our immigration system to enhance border security, support economic growth and provide a legal means to lawful permanent residency for the millions of hardworking undocumented immigrants and their families in the United States. Nearly 500 organizations, including a wide variety of civic, religious and business groups are opposing this legislation. Below is a summary of just a sampling of the areas of greatest concern to the ILRC. See also www.ilrc.org/criminal.php for more information about drastic possible changes regarding immigration consequences of criminal convictions that would result if HR 4437 were passed.
* HR 4437 criminalizes organizations and individuals assisting undocumented immigrants
HR 4437 greatly expands the definition of “alien smuggling” to include assisting a person to remain or attempt to remain in the United States when the “offender” knows the person is in the United States unlawfully – thereby treating social services organizations, refugee agencies, churches, legal services and others the same as smuggling organizations and imposing criminal penalties for providing such assistance. Even family members and charitable workers could face federal prison time for assisting undocumented immigrants.
* HR 4437 criminalizes undocumented immigration status
Under current law, presence in the United States without valid status is a civil violation, not a criminal act. HR 4437 would create a new federal crime of “unlawful presence” and would define immigration violations so broadly as to effectively include every violation, however minor, technical or unintentional, as a federal crime. In addition to permanently barring the entire undocumented population – including 1.6 million children – from the United States, this would also lead to the tragic separation of families as undocumented members of mixed-status families would never be able to secure lawful immigration status in the United States.
* HR 4437 grants state and local law enforcement agencies “inherent authority” to enforce immigration laws
HR 4437 would grant law enforcement agencies the authority to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain and transfer to Federal custody immigrants they find in the United States. When police act as immigration enforcement agents, it undermines their ability to keep communities safe because immigrants and their family members will be scared to report crimes, fires, and suspicious activity out of fear of exposing themselves, families or neighbors to police. Inevitably, crimes will be left unsolved and the safety of entire communities will be compromised.
* HR 4437 furthers the erosion of due process
Our immigration laws provide that some individuals in removal proceedings can be granted voluntary departure – essentially leaving the United States on their own, with their own money – at the conclusion of the immigration hearing process. This is an important alternative to receiving a removal order because it allows an immigrant to reenter the United States lawfully in the future, despite having been in removal proceedings in the past. It is only granted to individuals with good moral character at the discretion of an immigration judge. Under HR 4377, noncitizens would be required to waive all rights to any further motion, appeals or petition for review related to removal or protection from removal in order to be granted voluntary departure, essentially barring them from a list with their family in the United States
Currently, various circuit courts have ruled that immigration officials may be prohibited from simply removing an individual from the United States without a hearing, based on the reinstatement of a prior removal order. HR 4437 purges this appellate court precedent. As a result, if passed, HR 4437 would strip the rights of immigrants with prior removal orders to any sort of hearing before being removed again.
HR 4437 would also eliminate the ability of any person who wishes to enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa (such as a tourist visa, a student visa, etc.) to have a hearing before an immigration judge in the event that he or she is later charged with an immigration violation. This is because HR 4437 would prohibit the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa unless the applicant first waives his or her right to any review or appeal of an immigration officer’s decision.
* HR 4437 expands the costly detention of immigrants
HR 4437 would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain all noncitizens apprehended along the border until they are removed from the United Statues – thus filling up already overcrowded and tremendously costly facilities as detainees wait for final decisions on their cases. To address the overcrowding issue, HR 4437 authorizes an increase in DHS detention capacity by contracting with state and local jails – thus further criminalizing immigrants by placing them in criminal facilities.
* HR 4437 guts the federal courts’ authority to review immigration matters
HR 4437 would prevent courts from reviewing any application for naturalization denied because of a discretionary determination of ineligibility based upon “any relevant information or evidence.” This gives the immigration agency practically unfettered authority to deny naturalization applications with no judicial review.
HR 4437 also completely eliminates judicial review where noncitizens visas are revoked and is a specific attempt to remove courts’ ability to review consular decisions.
For the few remaining immigration cases that could be reviewed by an appellate court, HR 4437 implements an unprecedented system whereby no appellate court review is available unless a single judge certifies that the petitioner has “made a substantial showing that the petition for review is likely to be granted.” The decision of the single judge to deny certification for review would be not be open to appeal or review of any kind.
* HR 4437 turns many minor crimes into aggravated felonies, which carry the worst possible immigration consequences
Because aggravated felonies are supposed to be reserved for the worst and most violent of crimes such as murder and rape, they carry the most serious immigration consequences. HR 4437 would make makes minor offenses aggravated felonies, with same concomitant consequences. As a result, misdemeanor drunk driving offenses, mere presence in the United States without documentation, assisting an undocumented immigrant to reside in the United States, and minor accessory roles in the criminal conduct of others would all qualify as aggravated felonies. Most of these changes would be retroactive, meaning that someone who committed an offense 20 years ago that was not a deportable offense then could be charged with an aggravated felony now. By making these offenses aggravated felonies, HR 4437 seeks to treat those who commit nonviolent, negligent acts or omissions the same as those who have acted with criminal intent to injure. Regardless of whether it is a major or minor crime, the mere characterization as an aggravated felony will trigger the same immigration consequences – mandatory deportation, mandatory detention, disqualification for almost all immigration benefits, permanent banishment from the United States without hope of lawful return, and the inability to present any equities to immigration judges regardless of how long the immigrant has been in the United States and how many ties he or she has here. Those at risk include permanent residents who have lived here lawfully for decades. In addition, because the noncitizen population in the United States is so large and many American families include both immigrants and citizens, these deportations will break up U.S. citizen families without any possibility of reunification.
* HR 4437 expands the consequences of an aggravated felony and other offenses
Despite the current drastic consequences of an aggravated felony, HR 4437 seeks to add more. It would bar an immigrant from establishing good moral character required to become a U.S. citizen if they have an aggravated felony conviction in the past – even if they could prove that at the time the offense occurred it was not characterized as an aggravated felony, and they presently have excellent moral character. Under HR 4437, aggravated felonies would also bar admission to the United States and bar the ability to re-immigrate to the United States via an immediate relative as defense to removal. There would be no waiver available. It would further bar an asylum seeker who has an aggravated felony conviction from ever becoming a permanent resident. These provisions will eliminate the little available relief and benefits for immigrants with aggravated felony convictions who demonstrate rehabilitation and strong family, social and economic ties.
* HR 4437 eliminates key safeguards concerning evidence used to prove that an immigrant is deportable for an aggravated felony
Since 1990, the United States Supreme Court has established guidelines, called the “modified categorical analysis,” for how a court can characterize a prior conviction. While this may sound technical, the categorical analysis is a vital safeguard that protects immigrants from wrongful deportation. It ensures that immigration judges consider only the most reliable information and documents from a prior conviction – and not from facts that were not established at the original criminal trial – to identify the offense for which the person was actually convicted. HR 4437 seeks to eliminate these guidelines for those accused of being aggravated felons in immigration proceedings. This means that immigrants could be deported for a conviction of an offense that is not actually an aggravated felony, simply because the offense is listed in the same state criminal statute that also includes an aggravated felony. Eliminating the categorical analysis is a radical violation of basic fairness that seeks to overturn years of established judicial precedent.
* HR 4437 reverses the burden of proof
Historically, the burden has been on the government to prove deportation, because the hardship of deportation is so great. Analogous to the criminal “innocent until proven guilty” standard, the longstanding rule has provided that the government may not simply arrest a long-time permanent resident, allege that she is deportable, and force her to prove that she is not. HR 4437 reverses this burden of proof for those charged with aggravated felonies. This would be an extreme blow to deeply-rooted and longstanding notions of fairness. The result in practice is that once the government decides to charge the person, the low-income, unrepresented, detained immigrant will be required to obtain the public records and to produce the extremely complex legal arguments required to disprove the government’s assertion. If the person cannot meet this nearly impossible burden, he or she will face mandatory detention, deportation, and permanent exclusion and separation from family and friends in the United States.
* HR 4437 makes an immigrant associated with any street gang deportable and ineligible for any immigration benefits
Under HR 4437, immigrants who have never committed any crimes whatsoever and who have obeyed all of our laws can be deported, denied admission and the ability to obtain lawful status, subjected to mandatory detention, and denied all forms of protection such as asylum and temporary protected status, simply because the Attorney General has determined that they are associated with a designated street gang. The Attorney General, through a secret process that provides no notice or opportunity to be heard to the immigrant, can designate any formal or informal group of three or more persons who have committed two or more enumerated gang crimes a “criminal street gang.” As a result of this designation, many immigrants who never committed or supported a single criminal act may be punished severely for exercising their right to association – they may be deported to a country where they face interrogation, torture, detention and even death.
* HR 4437 undermines state court decisions regarding the reversal or vacation of convictions in immigration proceedings
HR 4437 would allow immigration authorities to ignore certain reversals and vacations of criminal convictions by state courts, such as the failure to advise the immigrant of the immigration consequences of the guilty plea. This provision will seriously undermine the concept of “full faith and credit” due to state courts. This is particularly so, in states like California, where the state Supreme Court and other lowers courts have ruled that the failure to advise and defend of the immigration consequences and giving affirmative misadvice as to the immigration consequences constitute ineffective assistance of counsel, meriting vacation of the conviction.
* HR 4437 imposes mandatory minimum sentences for many offenses
HR 4437 adds dozens of new mandatory minimum penalties to current law. It imposes the same sentences upon persons who aid or assist certain immigrants to enter the United States as the immigrants themselves would receive. The bill would also impose one to 10 year mandatory minimum penalties for those who reenter the United States after deportation. These mandatory minimum sentences punish arbitrarily and strip judges from the discretion to make the punishment fit the crime, while also increasing the cost of incarceration to American taxpayers.
Let the immigration department make sensible laws. Why American Educated legal immigrants who work for this country, pay taxes, contributes to the growth of the economy and who are law abiding, has to wait has to wait years and years to get a green card. Present immigration laws are very very hostile to those who want to immigrate to this country legally.
My dad was an illegal alien and if anyone hasn't noticed we Mexicans are skillfull and we can get around any little fence the gringos build<3 Tina
<3 Tina
Ein Schloss, Ein Wurst, Ein Kopf !xj
home equity line of credit
Wow...as I read through the comments here it strikes me how quickly people turn from presenting their sides to shameless name-calling. Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with a well-placed swear word—fuck is probably one of the most useful words I know—I guess I am just surprised by how rapidly the conversation deteriorated into “you're retarted [sic]
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 immigration reform bill would allow for up to 193 million new legal immigrants -- a number greater than 60 percent of the current U.S. population -- in the next 20 years, according to a study released yesterday.
Read on, especially the last paragraph
Guess what language you'll hear popping up more and more, what billboards you'll see as you drive down your highways, what music will be playing at Wal-Mart while you shop (like it isn't already), what programs tv stations will air, what radio stations will broadcast, it goes on and on. Not too good.
I don't think that we need to be quick with any of our processes of becoming an American citizen. We need to do it right, and take care of the paperwork. We also need to be able to support everyone -- including the zillion babies they plan on having. Have you looked into what life here in the US might be like in 2026? If you think we have problems now.... If you think schools are overcrowded now. If you think there are Americans living in poverty now. If you think we have need of social reform now. If you think the middle class is shrinking away now. If you think you pay too many taxes and help to supplement the government now. You won't be ready for the exponentially increased numbers ahead due to this illegal mess. Read this:
Bill permits 193 million more aliens by 2026
The Senate immigration reform bill would allow for up to 193 million new legal immigrants -- a number greater than 60 percent of the current U.S. population -- in the next 20 years, according to a study released yesterday.
"The magnitude of changes that are entailed in this bill -- and are largely unknown -- rival the impact of the creation of Social Security or the creation of the Medicare program," said Robert Rector, senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation who conducted the study.
Although the legislation would permit 193 million new immigrants in the next two decades, Mr. Rector estimated that it is more likely that about 103 million new immigrants actually would arrive in the next 20 years.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican who conducted a separate analysis that reached similar results, said Congress is "blissfully ignorant of the scope and impact" of the bill, which has bipartisan support in the Senate and has been praised by President Bush.
"This Senate is not ready to pass legislation that so significantly changes our future immigration policy," he said yesterday. "The impact this bill will have over the next 20 years is monumental and has not been thought through."
The 614-page "compromise" bill -- hastily cobbled together last month by Republican Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida -- would give illegal aliens who have been in the U.S. two years or longer a right to citizenship. Illegals who have been here less than two years would have to return to their home countries to apply for citizenship.
Although that "amnesty" would be granted to about 10 million illegals, the real growth in the immigrant population would come later.
As part of the bill, the annual flow of legal immigrants allowed into the U.S. would more than double to more than 2 million annually. In addition, the guest-worker program in the bill would bring in 325,000 new workers annually who could later apply for citizenship.
That population would grow exponentially from there because the millions of new citizens would be permitted to bring along their extended families. Also, Mr. Sessions said, the bill includes "escalating caps," which would raise the number of immigrants allowed in as more people seek to enter the U.S.
"The impact of this increase in legal immigration dwarfs the magnitude of the amnesty provisions," said Mr. Rector, who has followed Congress for 25 years. He called the bill "the most dramatic piece of legislation in my experience."
Mr. Rector based his numerical projection on the number of family members that past immigrants have sponsored.
Immigration into the U.S. would become an "entitlement," Mr. Sessions said. "The decision as to who may come will almost totally be controlled by the desire of the individuals who wish to immigrate to the United States rather than by the United States government."
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060516-125016-4401r.htm
I think that the government should incorporate a harsher punishment for American-based companies who hire illegally before they move on to punishing those who are actually here illegally. But sometimes that is hard to do when there are so many diffenrent political interests involved. Nether the less, we need to do something to conrol this wave because it really is weighing too heavily on our already overburdened system. To be honest, I'de rather give amnesty to the people who have to fear rape everytime they go outside to gather wood in Darfur, Africa or to women who are outcasts in their communities and can't make a living for themselves because of bleeding disorders that their cultures deem shameful. But I don't think it's fair that there should be COMPLETE amnesty for people who just want to make more money. I want to make more money and have a Passport, but I'm not moving to France (yet). Because when I decide to, I fully intend to go through the legalization process. That way, when I get there I'll be able to make the same amount of money as everbody else and won't have to disgrace myself by groveling for pennies.
So I say that the view that some people have towards illegal immigrants is not racism. It's a lesser respect because they see their own selfs struggling everyday. And when they see people who are struggling go to extremes (such as breaking the law or evading due process) they can't have the same respect for them as they have for the man who is poor but he goes after his dream in the right way until he is able to come out on top.
T. Hagan
The law is the law. s much as I sympathize with any race that experiences oppression in their own countries, I know that one reason that the law was created was so that the personal freedoms of people could not be just treated any kind of way by people who choose to break the law. The creator of this post claims that HR 4437 further erodes 'due process'. But to me, due process includes doing things the right way. When you know that their is a process you have to go to inorder to obtain citizenship and you purposely evade it, then you are breaking the law. When America's own citizens break the law, we go to jail. Why is it that people think that we should have lesser expectations for people who are not citizens than we do for our own?
T. Hagan
OK, why is this even being debated? This debate is as logical as "he stole the car. but he stole it because he needed a car. so it's ok." No. It's not ok.
Let me clarify some things here for some mildly slow individuals...
a.) What part of "ILLEGAL ALIEN" is not processing? ILLEGAL, meaning, not legal. Meaning, wrong.
b.) Seriously, this whole "Europeans were illegal immigrants 400 years ago and stole america" bullshit is like, the weakest argument ever. Why? I'll explain it to you.
Let's revert to ohh, 1500. Half of the world was still undiscovered, including the now US. The land the pilgrims, settlers, immigrants, whatever you wish to call them, was not a country at the time. It was not recognized as a country. No set laws, no set borders, no set government. Therefor, since there was no set government to set laws, there were no laws regarding immigration. Therefor, since there was no law, there was nothing "illegal" about them coming here. No laws were broken when people immigrated here when America didn't have a law against immigration.
And if you're interested in reliving that glorious time period, be my guest. And while we're at it, slavery wasn't illegal either, so lets rechain up all the black people. And ya know what, if you're mad at your wife, you should beat the hell out of her, because spousal abuse isn't illegal either. You think your neighbor put a spell on you and that's why youre fat and bald? Let's burn her at the stale. Not illegal either.
Come on people, laws change for a reason. America has come a ways since the days where pilgrims were settling here don't ya think?
Next, let's discuss the term immigrant. Illegal aliens are not immigrants, they are illegal aliens. Immigrant were refer to someone who was actually processed and naturalized by our government and a recognized citizen, which you are not.
Next, let me clarify I have not one ounce of sympathy for this whole "it takes too long to become a citizen, jumping the border is so much easier". My boyfriend is Canadian. He plays baseball for the MLB. And he is in the process of getting citizenship. He is being sponsored by his team, and still it will take him at least 2 years to do. Do you see him making a break for the border and bypassing the Canadian Royal Mounties? Um, no. He's waiting his turn to be naturalized and going about it the right way. So every time someone jumps the border, my boyfriend gets set back. So spare me your trials and tribulations, look at it from this point of view and you'll understand why a lot of us are pissed. My boyfriend goes through it the proper way and gets beat out by a wetback. Awesome.
Next, let's discuss terrorism. Perhaps people in oh, Texas, North Dakota, Arizona, Wyoming, Kansas, don't really feel a threat all too often. Well, I live in New York. My boyfriend was a firefighter in midtown during 9/11. I lost 5 family friends when the towers collapsed. I attended 14, yes, 14 FDNY memorials. I ride the subway everyday. My brother in law is a cop at penn station. The idea of opening borders and giving another country free reign kind of terrifies me. Oh, let me guess "but Stef, Mexicans arent terrorists, thats bin laden and people in the middle east, mexicans just wanna make a life for themselves".
WRONG ANSWER. Mexico's government is entirely corrupt. It makes Mexico an excellent breeding ground for terror cells (much like Samalia and Sudan). Imagine if we were like "oh come on everybody, you don't need to be a citizen, and we dont need border controls, the more the merrier!". Are you insane? This is a terrorists wet dream. Easy access from a country that will allow them to plan terrorist attacks.
Next, let's also talk about how everyone seems to think people who immigrated in the late 19th century/early 20th century kind of just hopped a boat and landed in america. What, was Ellis Island just a scenic tour stop? No. Immigrants who landed at Ellis Island were then DOCUMENTED and naturalized. So no, those people aren't illegal either, but nice try.
Here's the basic point. America is a country, not a God Damn refugee camp. I'm sorry for mexican troubles, but we have ours as well. There are 6 billion people in the world, and without border control and immigration regulation, they could simply just all end up in America one day if they wanted. It doesn't work like that people. If I were to hop the border in Mexico I'd either be hot or charged with a felony. Yep, thrown in jail. And you guys are pissed because we just want our country back? Seriously, get over it.
And as for the whole "who would do America's dirty work" that's simple. LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. All 12 of the mexican guys who work for our landscaping company are legal. All, 12. My cleaning lady, is legal, as is her husband and mother. So please don't tell me that unless we allow our law to continuously be broken, we're going to be denied our taco bell and gardeners. Because that's a blatent lie.
SO there you have it little juan bobos. Illegal means not legal, meaning, you shouldn't do it, justification or not. That's like saying "I stole food because I was hungry". No, it's still illegal. Get over it. The first thing an illegal person does when they step foot on US soil is break a law. And you think you deserve to have our rights? Come on now.
Wait your turn, just like everyone else. You are not the only country in the world, you do not surpass everyone else, and you certainly hold no more importance to our country than does the British CEO, the Irish banker, the Israeli doctor or the Canadian baseball player. And just like them, stand in the god damn line and wait your turn.
The U.S. government is known for finding the extremes. Once again they haven't failed us. Either we can give all immigrants amnesty or arrest them all and call them felons. I would like to think there is some kind of middle ground. One could argue that we have been using the middle ground system and it is't working, but maybe it just needs a little revision. Mexico has a poor education system and that can not be blamed on its citizens. Also american english is the hardest language to learn. Why down on some one who is actually trying? Can you not find a better arguement? Yes I feel there is a problem when an illegal can get heath care because they have children but when I need it because I lost my legal job I can't. It does upset me that trying to find work is hard because I won't work for as little. I think that the HR 4377 bill is a bit extreme, however if we give them amnesty what message does that send to the ones trying to do it the right way? Reward for the ones not trying and to hell with the one who are? Furthermore why is it we are concentrating on Mexicans? Asians, Europeans and ALL other walks of life get in here illegally. This should not be Whites vs. Mexicans. It should be Americans vs. illegals as all illegals threaten jobs, healthcare and funding. There are countless hispanics that are upset with how others get here after they worked for years doing it the right way. I think the main point would be illegals are not only mexicans, asians, europeans or otherwise, but they are also human. Why can't both sides find a decent middle ground that everybody is happy with. I was born and raised in this great country and the one thing I love is the freedom of opinion. I am not a bleeding heart and I am not someone who wants to burden our jails with bad laws called felonies. And for the record EVERYBODY commits crimes there is no use trying to say one race does and the other doesn't, WE ALL have our faults.
Sometimes people just have to agree to disagree. I honestly have never encountered so many Eurocentric, closed-minded individuals in my life. This discussion just brings to life the ignorance that our educational system here in the U.S breeds. I am truly ashamed of the thoughts that some of our white citizens have regarding immigration (legal or illegal) and the situations that drive people to flee their homelands. To all immigrants, my support for your efforts in fighting for your rights. Being that the United States has been a country built from the sweat of the many peoples that have been enslaved and/or oppressed, I can see why fighting this immigration bill is essential. I sincerely wish you the best and support all your efforts of protest.
Sometimes people just have to agree to disagree. I honestly have never encountered so many Eurocentric, closed-minded individuals in my life. This discussion just brings to life the ignorance that our educational system here in the U.S breeds. I am truly ashamed of the thoughts that some of our white citizens have regarding immigration (legal or illegal) and the situations that drive people to flee their homelands. To all immigrants, my support for your efforts in fighting for your rights. Being that the United States has been a country built from the sweat of the many peoples that have been enslaved and/or oppressed, I can see why fighting this immigration bill is essential. I sincerely wish you the best and support all your efforts of protest.
It's funny people say illegal immigrants are a drain on the economy. They also support it. Who do you think performs the jobs that most Americans think they are too good for? I guarantee that if you immediately deport all illegal immigrants, this country would buckle and grind to a halt. Not that I am advocating illegal immigrants, but please don't use the economics argument until you do a full, proper cost analysis.
As a white person, an immigrant, a citizen of the United States, and more importantly, a member of the human race, I am thourougly disgusted by the display of hate that I have found on this website. as progressives (and I assume those who posted are) it is our duty to stand up against dangerous nationalistic ideas, and try our best to ignore our differences and attempt to treat each other with respect, instead of highlighting our differences and spreading hate. I'm white, and yes, it was a tragedy what happened to the indigenous peoples of the United States, as well as in Mexico. Yes, the anglo-saxon ancestors of many white americans today were greedy, and power hungry. But, that doesn't give anyone the right to be so closed-minded as to start throwing about racist slander this was and that as if it were corn seed. please, try to be civil, no matter how difficult it may be to communicate with ignorance.
Wow, in pretending to be noble you certainly showed a lot of bias in your slamming. I guess communicating in ignorance means you don't agree with those who are furious that illegals are invading this country and how we're pointing out the damage and chaos it's causing. Illegal entry, drugs, diseases, gangs, etc. The point being made is that we are legal, they are not. We pay, they receive. What respect does coming illegally through our borders show to us? What a nice introduction. By the way, you're aware, aren't you, that there are between 11 - 20 MILLION illegal aliens feeding off legal citizens? You are writing this from America, right?
Federal immigration authorities arrested 183 fugitives and other illegal immigrants in Florida alone last week, the state's largest roundup in a single week, officials said Monday.
The arrests included people convicted of sex offenses, child abuse, cocaine trafficking and weapons violations. They were originally from 26 countries and most eventually will be deported.
"Anybody who is a fugitive from justice is a danger to the community," said Michael Rozos, the field director in Miami of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's "Operation Phoenix" effort to find and deport fugitive illegal immigrants.
"These operations have been going on for years, but they have become more focused," he said.
Of the 183 arrested, 130 were fugitives who had already been ordered deported by an immigration judge. The remaining 53 were also illegal immigrants who happened to be present when fugitives were taken into custody, Rozos said.
The fugitive operation is separate from another ICE-led crackdown on employers who hire and harbor illegal immigrants. Rozos said both are part of the Secure Border Initiative, a Homeland Security Department plan intended to beef up enforcement of existing immigration laws inside the U.S. and toughen border security.
Ninety-five of those arrested were in South Florida, 35 were arrested in Tampa, 30 in Jacksonville and 23 in Orlando, according to ICE.
Report illegal aliens and the people that are employing them. http://www.ice.gov
Two Houston men were arrested Wednesday for hiring undocumented workers at a shipping and supply manufacturing plant and hundreds of the company's employees were taken into custody during an immigration raid that spanned nine states
Abelino ``Lino'' Chicas, 40, the assistant general manager of the Houston West IFCO Systems plant and James Rice, 36, a former IFCO regional general manager were charged with conspiring to transport, harbor, and encourage undocumented workers to reside in the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.
If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison.
Employing illegal aliens Is Illegal and you will go to prison!
Report illegal aliens and the people that are employing them. http://www.ice.gov
ICE Most Wanted Fugitives
Check out Immigration and Customs Enforcement top fugitives, and report any sightings to 1-866-DHS-2-ICE as soon as possible! http://www.ice.gov/pi/investigations/wanted/fugitives.htm
mehn, some people are just a bunch of morons...first you say that this country was built by immigrants...?? which immigrants??? is it the ones you kidnapped, raped, brutalized out of their mother land??(..remember the slaves...yeah, the slaves??), this country was built by the slaves who worked the coal mines and the plantations that helped feed this nation...now we see this immigrants who come in here to take jobs that makes this country go round because we have a lot of black men who have dropped of high school and are either pimping, hustling or are in jails, women who are gradually becoming baby mama's at an alarming rates, lazy folks who dont want to do the nitty gritty work of working in fields to feed the american...yes...we have immigrants who work constuction jobs and work ridiculous hours with meagre pays all in bid to drive down the prices of goods and services, and yet law makers invent laws that want to alienate these people...ur grand parents came here on boats fleeing the war torn europe and came down here...if they were not accepted by this society, would u be here?...u would probabbly be in pakistan fighting for the al queda
WASHINGTON - Immigration agents arrested seven executives and hundreds of employees of a manufacturer of crates and pallets Wednesday as part of a crackdown on employers of illegal workers.
Authorities raided offices and plants of IFCO Systems in at least eight states, the culmination of a yearlong criminal investigation, law enforcement officials said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested seven current and former IFCO Systems managers on charges they conspired to transport, harbor and encourage illegal workers to reside in the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain, said Glenn T. Suddaby, the chief federal prosecutor in Albany, N.Y., where some arrests were made.
ICE spokeswoman Jamie Zuieback confirmed an unspecified number of raids and arrests but declined to provide additional details because the investigation was continuing. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity because numbers were still being tallied, said the arrests were in the hundreds.
Raids across the U.S.
Raids took place at several locations in upstate New York and in Biglerville, Pa.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati, Houston, Phoenix, Richmond, Va., and Westborough, Mass.
"ICE has no tolerance for corporate officers who harbor illegal aliens for their work force. Today's nationwide enforcement actions show how we will use all our investigative tools to bring these individuals to justice, no matter how large or small their company," said ICE chief Julie Myers.
She and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff are expected on Thursday to lay out an immigration enforcement strategy that targets employers' disregard for immigration law.
Last week, operators of three restaurants in Baltimore pleaded guilty to similar immigration charges, while nine people affiliated with two temporary employment agencies that do business in New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania were charged in a $5.3 million scheme involving the employment and harboring of illegal aliens.
Several immigration proposals pending in Congress would stiffen penalties against employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Company based in Germany
German-based IFCO Systems describes itself as the leading pallet services company in the United States, focusing on recycling millions of the wooden platforms used to stack and move all manner of goods. It operates about five dozen facilities nationwide and has been expanding steadily, according to the company's Web site.
IFCO Systems did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday.
The current and former IFCO Systems managers arrested were identified by Suddaby as: Michael Ames, 44, Shrewsbury, Mass.; Robert Belvin, 43, Clifton Park, N.Y.; Abelino Chicas, 40, Houston; Scott Dodge, 43, Albany; William Hoskins, 29, Cincinnati; James Rice, 36, Houston, and Dario Salzano, 36, Amsterdam, N.Y.
Employing illegal aliens Is Illegal and you will go to prison!
Report illegal aliens and the people that are employing them. http://www.ice.gov
hi
A new study from the Center for Immigration Studies is one of the first to estimate the impact of illegal immigration on the federal budget.
Based on Census Bureau data, the study estimates that households headed by illegal aliens used $10 billion more in government services than they paid in taxes in 2002.
These figures are only for the federal government; costs at the state and local level are also likely to be significant.
Among the largest federal costs: Medicaid ($2.5 billion); treatment for the uninsured ($2.2 billion); food assistance programs ($1.9 billion); the federal prison and court systems ($1.6 billion); and federal aid to schools ($1.4 billion).
The study also finds that if illegals were given amnesty, the fiscal deficit at the federal level would grow to nearly $29 billion.
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, 2006, 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!
WASHINGTON, April 15 More than 50 million Medicaid recipients will soon have to produce birth certificates, passports or other documents to prove that they are United States citizens, and everyone who applies for coverage after June 30 will have to show similar documents under a new federal law.
The requirement is meant to stop the "theft of Medicaid benefits by illegal aliens," in the words of Representative Charlie Norwood, Republican of Georgia, a principal author of the provision, which was signed into law by President Bush on Feb. 8.
Operators of Baltimore's Kawasaki restaurants plead guilty to harboring /employing illegal aliens and money laundering
Defendants agree to forfeit more than $1 million in illegally-derived assets
BALTIMORE, MD -- Tzu Ming Yang, age 48, and Jack Chang, age 41, both of Clarksville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit alien harboring and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, in connection with the employment of illegal aliens of various nationalities in residences and restaurants they owned and rented, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Yang's wife, Jui Fan Lee Yang, age 49, pled guilty to employment of illegal aliens.
As part of their plea agreements, the defendants agreed to forfeit approximately $386,000 in cash, the 514 South Chapel Street and 1535 Melton Road properties, and the vehicles, for a total estimated value of more than $1 million. The plea agreements do not resolve any civil tax liabilities of the defendants.
Tzu Yang and Chang face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge, and 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit alien harboring. Jui Yang faces a maximum sentence of 6 months in prison for employing illegal aliens and a $3000 fine for each illegal alien employed.
Employing illegal aliens is Illegal and you will go to prison
Report Illegal Aliens and people that are employing them http://www.ice.gov/
Operators of Baltimore's Kawasaki restaurants plead guilty to harboring /employing illegal aliens and money laundering
Defendants agree to forfeit more than $1 million in illegally-derived assets
BALTIMORE, MD -- Tzu Ming Yang, age 48, and Jack Chang, age 41, both of Clarksville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit alien harboring and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, in connection with the employment of illegal aliens of various nationalities in residences and restaurants they owned and rented, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Yang's wife, Jui Fan Lee Yang, age 49, pled guilty to employment of illegal aliens.
As part of their plea agreements, the defendants agreed to forfeit approximately $386,000 in cash, the 514 South Chapel Street and 1535 Melton Road properties, and the vehicles, for a total estimated value of more than $1 million. The plea agreements do not resolve any civil tax liabilities of the defendants.
Tzu Yang and Chang face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge, and 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit alien harboring. Jui Yang faces a maximum sentence of 6 months in prison for employing illegal aliens and a $3000 fine for each illegal alien employed.
Employing illegal aliens is Illegal and you will go to prison
Report Illegal Aliens and people that are employing them http://www.ice.gov/
It's amazing how everyone thinks racisim is a thing of the past when it only takes a insignificant comment to reveal what we all are dying to say LOL.
Back to the topic, I really don't understand why you guys are arguing, bottom line you can not kick 11 million people out of a country. Latinos have replaced African Americans as the largest minority group and they are a positive asset to our economy:
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recently spoke on immigration in response to a question from the House of Representative Financial Services Committee:
"I think that immigration has been very important to the success of this country and I fully support it."
I don't think anyone here has nearly enough credibility to convince me otherwise. Also, lets speak facts rather than mere biased opinions, and only then can we really get somewhere.
-Just a Thought-
"Why argue over whose right is over whose land, when in the final analysis we all have to settle for only six feet of earth."
You guys are distracted. Asians/India-ns run this country. It's all about cutting out the middle(white)man whose checkerboard work ethic and humorous sense of accomplisment are running this country into the ground. And when we take this land, we'll cut out a bigger piece for those who lived here before us because we know what ancestral pride is about as well as having latinos to hold up the bottom base of the infrastructure. I wish I could be alive to see it.
You mean you'll build it up just like you did Mexico? That geographical location would be a good starting point to look at and evaluate how your “ancestral pride and bottom base infrastructure” has been working out for you. Don't you have pride enough to want to reclaim your homeland of Mexico, or have you been beaten and are running away?
So basically that means that Mexicans with power are trying to get rid of needy Mexicans, while they take over the wealthy country and leave you to believe they're helping you out. You're helping them out, and helping them ruin your country.
I find these comments to be such macho silliness when you’re leaving a broken country that’s kicked you in the butt, driven many of you to poverty and crime, created an intricate and crime-infested web of drug cartels and trafficking, corrupt politicians --- on and on -- and yet you’re here trying to act all big and bad like you have some history of success to fall back on.
Doesn’t any Mexican citizen blogging here care enough about what is happening in Mexico?
If we look at Mexico to see what kind of history you're coming from, to see what you do with a country -- we see that you've failed.
Our borders should be SLAMMED shut, employees/illegals penalized (watch attrition at its finest), and deport any and ALL illegals we find .. and next time, see who we're letting in.
We don't need Mexico to dump her troubles and corruption onto us, we have our own troubles. America needs to work with law abiding people who want to help her grow and succeed. Not illegals that break her laws, suck her dry, disrespect her sovereignty, and want to destroy her.
Boy that sure sounds like Mexico, doesn’t it?
Use all your hate and energy in fixing Mexico – then you can brag about your “ancestral pride and bottom base infrastructure”.
You illegals should be protesting, but you're doing it in the wrong country. Get your compass out and re-locate your bottom base of the infrastructure, cross your borders legally, after all -that's where your citizenship is from - and take care of problems at home .. and YOU WILL be alive to be part of it.
What I don't understand is how terrorism even came into the picture with this whole HR 4437
WTF??
Get at me
Guera_latina@hotmail.com
Yeah I am Latina.
DAMN STRAIGHT!
The problem is not merely the number of illegal immigrants. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from Central and South America, there are several hundreds, perhaps thousands, of illegal aliens from countries that sponsor terrorism or harbor terrorists entering the United States each year across our border with Mexico. Thus, it is a national security issue as well as an immigration issue.
AMERICANS FIRST
A Pro-American, Pro-Secure Borders, Pro-Sovereignty, Pro-LEGAL and Humane Immigration Group will be sponsoring a peaceful demonstration at the Foreign Mexican Consulate in Phoenix, Arizona. This is in response to the hordes of Illegal Foreign Invaders who have taken to our streets demanding rights which we and our veterans have EARNED for ourselves. The Mexican Foreign Government should be listed as a Threat Nation by our U.S. State Department immediately and as a Nation of Terror for supporting the hostile overthrow of the United States of America and the brutality it meets out upon its own citizenry causing tens of millions of people to flee their homeland from this barbaric form of corruption and oppression. We are NOT against the good Mexican people, rather, we would like to see the American and Mexican people united to liberate our southern neighbors from tyrannical rule in the form of the corrupt MEXICAN FOREIGN GOVERNMENT and DRUG CARTELS in order to establish freedom and prosperity for themselves much the way our founding fathers did. Along with these tyrants, MS-13 GANGS must also GO.
WHO IS INVITED?
All Americans and legal citizens and legal guests to America are welcome to attend this rally. Local and national press will be present to hear our position. Police and Private Security will be present for our safety.
WHO IS NOT INVITED?
Aztlan revolutionaries, MS-13 Gang Bangers, Mexican Gang Bangers, Illegal Aliens, OR American Traitors such as John Sydney McCain. You already know who you are...
WHAT TO WEAR?
Patriotic American clothes, blue jeans and T-shirts, or business casual wear.
WHERE?
Foreign Mexican Consulate in Phoenix Arizona.
1990 W Camelback Rd. -- Ste 110 [Map & Directions]
Phoenix, AZ 85015 (602) 242-7398
WHEN?
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 -- 2 PM
Point Of Contact:
JT Ready
P.O. Box 571 -- Mesa, AZ 85201
480-255-5266
www.votejtready.com
jt_ready@hotmail.com
Please let people know!!!!
You know you bring shame to the last name Sanchez. What a waste.
Boy, you pulled the race card because you didn't like what she stands for. Maybe you should realize that race isn't everything ... and that she made the name "Sanchez" look honorable.
UNITE TO FIGHT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RALLY!!!!! BEING HELD MAY 27,2006 THE WALK WILL START IN DOWNTOWN lOS ANGELES ON BROADWAY AND 1st Street at 11:00am. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE WHO IS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION(Peaceful demonstration ). PAST THE WORD!!!
Where did you hear about this? I called unitedtofight.org and they don't know anything about it. Can you give me more info?
THIS BILL IS FABULOUS......................................................................... For everyone that has not read between the lines when it comes to this bill. I am here to tell you the truth. First off if there is anyone that is on this web site that is an Illegal immigrant, READ BETWEEN THE LINES>>>>>>>>>>>>> ILLEGAL -Main Entry: 1il·le·gal
Pronunciation: (")i(l)-'lE-g&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal
: not according to or authorized by law : UNLAWFUL, ILLICIT;
WHICH THIS MEAN GET THE HELL OUT OF MY COUNTRY...................................................... AMEN
why dont you try and kick us out instead of just staying home by your computer and talking all your shit. i dont see any of you stupid poeple trying to do anything to make us get out.why???? because yous are a bunch of LAZY BASTARDS, the very same reason why were here!
OOO - OOO!!! I have an idea. Let's allow EVERYONE into our country, THEN, the U.S. will become an impoverished, overcrowded nation just like the ones the illegals are leaving behind. THEN, they will just have to go find another nation to ruin and they'll leave this one alone. THEN we will have to start from scratch to rebuild!! MOOAHAHAHA - what ingenious plot!!!!
ohh ohh i have an idea, why dont you shut the fuck up!! THIS BILL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LETTING IN ALL THE IMMIGRANTS THAT WANT TO COME IN. THIS TALKS ABOUT IMMIGRANTS ALREADY INSIDE AND STRENGHTING THE BORDER
All those in favor of HR 4337, PLEASE PLEASE let's not just vent, let's do something about it, write your congressman, senators, the white house, also join http://www.wakeupamerica.org/. Contribute to the Minute Men, do whatever you possibly can! PROTECT OUR BORDERS NOW!!!
I appreciate you. Thank you.
Want to see what all the Mexicans are doing for America?? Just watch America's Most Wanted.....
Come in to a 7-11 about 2:00 in the afternoon and watch them all get their beers in paper bags and then hop into their trucks. I actually chased down and got the police to arrest three drunk Mexicans in a work truck in the early afternoon after they had nearly killed a motorcyclist in a hit and run. Half the emergency rooms in LA had to shut down because they went bust treating illegals without insurance. But hey, lets make sure we give illegal aliens their RIGHTS. Welcome to the United States of Mexico. Suckers.
WHATS THE POINT YOUR TRYING TO MAKE?
ALL MY FRIENDS, THIS IS A NOTICE THAT MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!
Oh I'm taking it so seriously I'm laughing.
ON MAY 1st 2006 WE THE POEPLE WHO RESIDE IN THE U.S. AND BELIEVE IN FAIR RIGHTS TO ALL MUST NOT GO TO WORK, MUST NOT BUY A SINGLE BOTTLE OF WATER, AND MUST NOT GO TO SCHOOL.
You don't go to school anyway half the time, whats the difference now? Oh, and if you leave your job, we will take it back.
THIS IS A NOTE TO ALL ETHNICITIES.
No its not. Its a note to Latinos and Latinas. I've seen your previous comments.
NO ONE SHOULD BE DEPRIVED FROM THEIR THOUGHTS.
We shouldn't be deprived of our rights as Americans either, but you seem to be doing a good job at that.
WE ALL MUST HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD NOT BY PROTESTING, NOT BY CALLING SENATORS, OR HAVING THE MEDIA DO IT FOR US.
This sounds like you could be a religious fundamentalist! Lets see what else you have to say.
WE MUST BE HEARD BY DOING NOTHING, "NOTHING AT ALL". ITS TIME WE FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE AND HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS.
This is sounding more and more like terrorism. "Hit them where it hurts?" You stop buying, we'll just buy it instead.
WE DO NOT WANT TO DESTROY BEAUTIFUL AMERICA WE ONLY WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER.
You can make it better by leaving.
MAY 1ST WILL GO DOWN AS A LEGENDARY DAY ONLY IF WE ALL STAY CLOSE AND WORK TOGETHER, NO ONE CAN DO ANYTHING ALONE.
You can do other things like...oh...I don't know...go back to your own country, and make THAT a better place to live. How about that?
IF YOU BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND IF YOU HAVE "PRIDE" OF YOUR HERITAGE YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING.
Yes, you will do the right thing by leaving. Or going and getting a visa.
THE HUMAN RACE HAS ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH AND NO BARRIERS WILL BE PLACED ON ITS PATH TOWARDS SUCCESS, LETS ALL CONTRIBUTE TO BUILD A BETTER COUNTRY.
By...going back to your own.
9 DIGITS MUST NOT SEPERATE AND TEAR US APART. I WILL SAY NOTHING MORE, JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE READ. AND REMEMBER MAY 1ST WILL BE THE DAY.
It SHOULD be the day you all leave.
America will prevail.
"Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity--and I'm not so sure about the universe"
-Albert Einstein
you can laugh all you want cause i see all the protest their trying to make againts illigal immigrants and guess whos laughin then? they go to shit. what theres like 50 poeple there protesting?? and this is one day that were not going to do anything one day out 365 that were not doing anything at all, i go to school i dont know what you think in your lil fucked up mind but me and all my brothers have always been in the top of our classes and i can homestly say that we are better than atleast 70 precent of all americans in our age group so dont critiisize people when you dont know them. you keep saying go back to our country, why dont you try going back to where ever your ancestors came from cause as long as i can remember this land wasnt giving to you willingly. JUST THINK ABOUT EVERYTHIN YOU SAY ITS SOUNDS SO FREAKEN RETARTED..I KNOW YOUR TRYING TO MAKE A POINT BUT GOD, POEPLE CAN BE SO STUPID. ITS SAD TO KNOW THAT A 17 YEAR OLF KID HAS MORE BRAINS THAN YOU. ATLEAST WHEN EVER I HAVE SAID ANYTHING I EXPLAIN AND IT MAKES SENCE. WHEN ALL YOU ANTI IMMIGRANTS SPEAK ITS JUST CRITICIZING AND DUMB SHIT THAT DONT MAKE SENCE.
its a shame that you quote einsteins words, its a real shame to hear that. to think such a brilliant man could think the way you do is depressing.
right on...i'm march this monday what do you think i should put on my sign
Today we march for illegal immigration
overcrowded and under-funded schools
diseases
increased health care costs
degraded health care service
higher auto insurance premiums
poverty
lawlessness
social conflict
over-population
unemployment
lowered wages
vote fraud
increased crime
illegal drugs
environmental degradation
depletion of natural resources
loss of common language and culture
increased traffic congestion
higher taxes