Tune in this Monday at 10pm ET for a Msnbc special town hall meeting. Co-sponsored by Msnbc and Voto Latino, the event focuses on immigration across the country. It's going to be hosted by Lawrence along with Executive Director of Voto Latino and Msnbc Contributor Maria Teresa Kumar.
Details coming soon on how you can participate in the live show. Check out a preview below.
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This is good. We need rational immigration reform in America. The Dream Act would be a good start. I hope that Senator Reid brings it up in the lame duck session, especially since Latinos were the white knights who saved his career.
I hope lawmakers do not grant any amnesty for illegal aliens. I am hoping for immediate deportation. As an American we pay a great price to have illegal aliens in our country.
Reid ONLY won because there was not a decent opposing candidate. Reid needs to go home and stay home. Latinos NEED TO QUIT bringing their rag flag to our country. If they cannot PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO AMERICA, then they need to get out and go to the country whose flag they want to honor.
We need reform all right, reform to follow ALL OUR LAWS, get rid of ALL illegalls, no dream act, it is a nightmare, no anchor babies, anchors will drown us.
You are a mad man,for saying that your father came here as an illigal immigrant have you forggotten that red indain where theoriginal owners of this country,you killed and took over,so why are you saying that whereyour father was
Had it not been for the Republicans putting an almost total nut against Reid he would not be returning to Washington! Most Nevada voters were looking to Replace Reid a lot due to his "love" of the illegals in Las Vegas. Nevadan's did the right thing though and rather than voting against a person because they do not like him they elected the best candidate; many of his votes came from high positioned Republicans. . Had the republicans’ put a better candidate in the race they would have won regardless of how many Latino and illegal aliens might have influenced the voting. Now we need to worry that Reid does not start recommending them for Supreme Court, high government positions, maybe even tutor them to be his replacement! Watch him closely as he will sell our country out in a heart beat; the casinos, hotels and motels in Las Vegas love him for getting them cheap labor.
I always scratch my head during these types of forums. Who is going to pay for all the additional costs, i.e. education, medical, etc. The illegals here are already causing our state to go broke. Nice people, good intentions but they suck more out of the economy than they ever put back in. Why don't they straighten out Mexico and stay there? Better beaches, tons of oil, why come here?
Who is going to pay for all of the costs? We're broke, when are you lib's going to realize there is no more money for you to give away.
I saw part of this clearly biased show last night and it was all I could do to not blow chunks in disgust. Using legal parlance, if you do not have the facts, argue the law and if you don’t have the law, play the fear card.
By playing the fear card, the inference is that if we unenlightened ignorant masses would just understand, then we would see the light of our uninformed ways and embrace all those who simply seek a better life. As any rational, compassionate person would agree, all people should be able to seek a better life. The issue at hand is who should pay for these good life seekers, is the USA a sovereign state, can we absorb all others worldwide who seek a better life here, and is the rule of law to be ignored.
The issue has nothing to do with LEGAL immigration. The problem is ILLEGAL immigration. Since the USA admits more legal immigrants annually than any other country in the world by far, there is zero justification to let people in without permission by any possible measure.
The DREAM Act is nothing more than an end around to circumvent solving the entire illegal alien problem. In other words, “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” as coined by the illegal alien advocates (amnesty for most), has zero chance of ever getting through Congress. That means a change in strategy to pick off the lowest hanging fruit in an attempt to chip away at the roadblocks piece by piece. Intelligent life ain’t gonna be duped by this and the vast majority of US citizens who actually vote have not, do not now, and never will accept amnesty for most ever again. We already tried that under Reagan and it irrefutably resulted in a huge increase in illegal entry into our country. Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat the same mistake.
And let’s terminate the notion that if an illegal alien comes here “through no fault of their own”, that this is some sort of loophole to justify staying here. Sorry but if your parents broke the law, you must share the burden of their mistake. Otherwise, we risk going down the slippery slope where every illegal act is someone else’s fault. That old dog don’t hunt no more. That is like saying that a murderer should not face the consequences because their parents beat them or otherwise brought them up in a negligent fashion. That loophole attempt was shot down in our justice system long ago and the minor illegal immigrant is the same thing.
The solution is clear. Congress needs to appropriate all money irrefutably to completely fence in the border from the Gulf to the Pacific. Fences do work and no one need look further than Israel for proof of that fact. The eVerify system must be adopted and fully funded to get or hold any job in this country with severe teeth penalties for breach thereof. Any temporary worker program must mean just that. In other words, permission to come here to work and zero else. If any foreigner does not like it, then please step aside so that the endless line of others willing to accept such terms can apply.
Want more quality, accurate data on this issue? There are many sources but my favorite is fairus.org, one of the largest and oldest advocacy organizations in this country for terminating the illegal alien invasion.
I agree with Kenneth. Let's use the Dream Act to circumvent the call for ethnocultural class warfarer, and in doing so approach a better civic dialogue among our fellow human beings in this America we all have to share.
Illegal aliens are a pet target for the frustrated and racist, but they simply DON'T cost us the money frequently claimed. Conversely, they contribute a great deal to our system. This conclusion is simple logic.
A. Illegals are paid in one of two ways, both of which contribute to our government and overhead; cash under-the-table, or paycheck from a false or fraudulent ID.
1. Cash under-the-table - Employers frequently simply pay their undocumented workers in cash. However, this cash doesn't appear on business books as payroll or legitimate expense. Therefore, employers must claim money paid to workers as their own income and pay income taxes on it.
2. Paycheck from a false or fraudulent ID - many illegal workers have 'fake ID's" or fraudulently use somebody else's Social Security Number from which taxes and deductions are withheld. Either way they pay into the system sums which as illegal aliens they will never be able to recover. Note: This amounts to millions of dollars that helps float our system and government which could be severely compromised by making these workers legal.
B. Many protest that illegal aliens don't help pay for our schools or services. This is also simply false when examined. These people, millions of them, rent, and even sometimes own, housing for which the owners pay local property taxes and school taxes on that property! In addition, they purchase goods and services which support local businesses and local sales taxes. Many communities who have run-off their undocumented workers have experienced a plunge in housing and retail sales.
C. Less obvious is the contribution to our system by performing work for which is often difficult to find any other willing workers - and performing it more efficiently. It is an easy case to make that many goods and services would be much more costly - or simply unavailable - if it weren't for these workers.
In conclusion: No way are these people able to avoid paying taxes and supporting our system. I would even submit that they may even contribute more than they cost us! We need a rational immigration and tracking system, but they are not the leach on our society claimed by many.
Thank you. I have been making point "B" for what seems like forever to those who constantly screech about what "illegals" supposedly "take" from us. I argue that we leech off of illegals far more than they leech off of us when one considers the millions poured into state coffers through sales taxes. After all, whether an illegal is "good," "bad," or something in between is irrelevant. A body still has to eat.
The program was very well done. Although political rhetoric from both parties was addressed, it was not used to polarize. Solutions were discussed, examples were given, real people were interviewed and it was done rationally. This program should be viewed by all members of Congress and the president. Everyone who cares about the immigration issue needs to see this.
In eply to hiswindow - - - -Your reasoning is so erroneous it sounds like you, your parents or girl friend is probably illegal also. It is like saying we should allow bank robbers to do as they want because they will buy a house, spend the money and our society will be better off. Let the burglars do as they desire because it will add to our economy. Let people father children and ignore them as the government will take care of them and they will be able to spend money improving our economy. I have no doubt there are a lot of good illegals in the United States and I would say I have known several but the fact remains they are criminals and turning our back on ANY crime is not what Americans expect!
I agree with hiswindow totaly, Lawrence's program was great tonight and should be viewed by all Americans in my opinion. People just need to remember we are a nation of immigrants.
BS, the cost of educating one child is often more than they make a year and when you see they have two to five kids, no way they contribute. You need an econ class.
when people say "go home and start over with the process" or go to the back of the line...it takes 22 years to come back. (hispanics)..a friend from nepal just got his green card and it took 11 years...we have b een told that the hispanic undocumented who is working in the united states needs to go home apply and come back in 22 years...this doesnt make sense... no one talks about the time period..employers dont want to wait 22 years to have an undocumented worker come back to work legally in 22 years...this is a huge part of the problem...you can not get undocumented people legal with a relatively easy process.
I wonder if anyone will make the obvious point that almost everyone there is an illegal or descended from an illegal?
Once upon a time, there were Americans here, who were the First Americans. Nobody here before them. And they lived here for tens of thousands of years. Then a bunch of illegal immigrants began pouring in from "Europe." They didn't have passports or visas, didn't have letters of introduction. They just showed up from over the water (making them the First Wetbacks) and squatted on the land. And when the Real Americans were nice to them, they bred and bred and bred. Pretty soon they began taking over more and more land. They didn't ask for clear title, they didn't pay rent. They just stole the land. And when the American people objected, the illegal aliens . . .shot them.
The moral of the story is simple: don't let illegal aliens into your country, or they'll take over the land, impose their own customs, laws, and language, and shove you into ghettos (or "reservations").
Don't believe me? Ask an Indian.
30 years ago in California, a Spanish descendant told me this same story about the immigration from below our US Border and the take over of the US.
Angeleno, this is considered colinization/imperilism in the 20th century! We must learn from our past history for the sake of our children, their children and so on. We must preserve what is left of our culture otherwise we have nothing to live for and past on to our future generations.
Historically our treatment of Native Americans is nothing to be proud of...but likewise in 1519 Spain conquered Mexico and over time wiped out over half of its native population.
Why wont existing laws against hiring illegal aliens be enforced against the millions of employers who knowingly break several state,federal and tax and social security laws in order to get around the minimum wage law.
[Every undocumented worker has an employer who is breaking the law] and committing felonies.Why aren't they locked up or at least fined heavily. This immigration delema and the millions of jobs that are being denied legal citizens is a solvable problem if only existing laws were enforced.
All the government has to do is target just a few of the most egregious offenders among employers in each state,and make an example out of them. Arresting them,booking them,mug shot,strip search,finger printing.Fallowed by prosecution and sentencing to the fullest extent of existing law. Make an example out of a small percentage of lawless employers,and all employers will fire their undocumented slaves,and hire Americans instead,puting a big dent in this country's unemployment rate.
Start with Lou Dobbs! But don't stop there.
And Lawrence,you are not entitled to your own facts either...You recently stated very matter of factly (even worse) that the undocumented are only taking jobs Americans don't want...SAY WHAT...What jobs are those,Mr. Know-It-All O'Donnell...What are these millions of jobs for the undocumented that Americans wont do for the minimum wage or higher?..Answer:NONE...There are NO jobs that millions of unemployed Americans wont do for $7.25 an hour or more.
Our undocumented slaves working for half the min. wage or less are being exploited as cheap labor EVERYWHERE,in ALL fields,ALL occupations.
Aren't you,Lawrence Holier-Than-Thou O'Donnell supposed to be a champion of both the working man AND the minimum wage?.. Well,sweetheart,guess what?..Millions of American jobs have not only been outsourced to virtual slave labor abroad,but millions more jobs have been outsourced to our own virtual slave labor here at home.
Now stick that in your pipe and smoke it,Mr. Man of the People.
"Socialist"?.. Elitist socialist,maybe,but you're no populist socialist. And you too will be subject to the facts.And your supposed support of the minimum wage is completely empty.
Our government and the private sector both have sold out the American working man to virtual slave labor abroad AND VIRTUAL SLAVE LABOR RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA.
The undocumented are being exploited in ALL businesses:
Grocery Stores (esp. night shift jobs),Hotels,Hospitals,Schools,College Campuses,Factories (what few remain),Restaurants,Catering Services,Construction,Landscaping,Movie Sets,T.V. Shows (MSNBC too),Taxi Companies, Casinos,Warehouses,Moving Companies,The United States Navy (at port),the PENTAGON...EVERYWHERE...NASA,too.
This is not sustainable.
Republicans want slave labor,do Democrats?..
Will Dems continue to sacrifice jobs for Americans in exchange for Latino citizenry and their votes?..
And don't get me started on all these damn Canadians getting payed millions of U.S. dollars just to entertain us!..I want to see Jim Carrey's papers!.. ):-( lol
Millions of good paying factory jobs have been exported to other countries,AND millions of low paying,make do and starter jobs have been given away to trespassers from Mexico.
These 2 factors alone can account for several million lost jobs for Americans. Reversing this fatal trend can restore those jobs to their rightful holders:Natural Born Americans.White and black,gay and gayer.Male and she-male... ):-(
If this situation is not reversed,America will soon become like the Balkans were.This will get very ugly and very violent...NBA's have been played,and they know it,and they are getting angrier and angrier about it.
And instead of mocking or dismissing this legitimate rage,you guys at MSNBC should advocate restoration.The restoration of not only jobs for NBA's,but the restoration of trust as well.
The trust between the government and the people has been completely betrayed and destroyed.
OUTSOURCING (including domestically)
9/11,MABUS and LIHOP
Wars of Diversion and Distraction
Bin Laden still at large 9 years later
That disgraceful hole in the ground in NYC [at least Muslims wanted to build something a couple blocks away...what have the rest of us built?..]
Katrina and the betrayal of New Orleans
MMS/BP Oil Spill
Poisonous Spinach and Eggs
Dangerous Pharmaceuticals
Mexicans and other illegal immigrants assuming low and medium wage American jobs
An Autism rate that is up to 1000% higher than in other developed countries
Inadequate Health Care Reform
Corrosive and coercive campaign finance [we need public financing of campaigns]
Political Correctness,Safety Nazism,The Nanny State
Mispositioned headrests that have turned car seats into torture racks,IN THE NAME OF SAFETY
The Wall Street Bail Out and The Demolition of Main Street
Deceptive TV ads and out of control volume levels,and government not doing anything about it.
EVERYTHING IS MADE IN CHNA!..AND IT'S CRAP THAT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT...WE CAN COMPETE WITH THAT! PEOPLE HERE AND ABROAD WILL PAY MORE FOR AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS THAT WORK BETTER THAN MADE IN CHINA CRAP.
OUR MINDLESS CONSUMPTION BASED ECONOMY
THE ABANDONEMENT OF OUR ONCE PROSPEROUS PRODUCTION BASED ECONOMY
AND...Getting short changed with the fries at the McD's drive thru!!! FILL UP THAT DAMN CARTON! ):-(
You are hilarious but yet to the point! ;-)
AMEN! Michael.....OUr government at this time is a train wreck, un-stopped illegal immigration is just one of the problems that we face every day.
I worked in a casino in NV and I could write a book about the illegals and the horrendous stuff they do all the time.
I'm not “an illegal", but have nevertheless been finally ordered deported eleven (11) years ago, yet have lived continuously in this country for over 26 years now, on my own, without family or relatives to lean on. It's been a long hard slog getting nowhere, despite the fact that I have earned my HS diploma and proceeded on to college and earned a BSEE degree, 14 years ago, all of it in this country: now unemployed, yet living frugally and continuing my engineering science education, I am also looking to putting all that education to good use: my engineering career has yet to take off, notwithstanding my untenable immigration status.
I am now 56 years old and have, for many years, had to submit to monthly intrusive reporting to ICE, to a burdensome yearly renewal process of my employment authorization, and to painful re-writing of letters, under duress, to a foreign government to request travel documents under my unending "Order of Supervision" status. The government cannot deport me, hard as it has tried, yet it is under orders to continue doing so, unless Congress tells it otherwise.
The word “an illegal” implies that that person is in hiding from the law, not legally permitted to be at large (as I am), and he/she would jeopardize their situation if they surfaced. Being in such a situation would require that that person fake their identity, and break the law doing so. So, I don’t understand how some of those appearing in the news dare to do so without getting arrested or placed under “deportation proceedings,” as I have been, twenty-one years ago: if they’re already in deportation proceedings and are compliant with the law, then they should be considered legal, or referred to only as “asylum seekers.” Are there more people like that out there who have endured as long as I have? I could not find out myself when I requested information under FOIA from ICE, over a year ago.
Again, I am not an "illegal" but an “asylum seeker” who has been denied asylum, I have never hidden from seeking a lawful way to resolve my problem, yet I have endured this burden for most of my life. What makes those eligible under the DREAM legislation more worthy than me? If I am to be left with a reason to go on living, what good does it do this nation to make me bear this burden any longer?
Why do we cater to illigal immigrants? Here's something to think about. We never had Press 1 for English for any of the Vietmanese refugees or for any other nationality that has come here legally but, yet when the illigal immigrants came we have to press 1 for english for the phone,atm's, etc. We never seem to take care of our own people Vet,homeless but yet we cater to people that are here illigally and it's all becasue of money. The hospitals, buses, librarys all have signs in both English/Spanish. The voting ballets are in English and Spanish. Why do we keep catering to them and what part of illigal do people not understand???
Perhaps its intolerance, or perhaps its just laziness that some people, who never bothered to learn proper English spelling or grammar, are so upset by having to press 1 for English.
That is not it. as a Veteran that fought for your freedom I find it offensive. We speak English in this country. How do you feel when you see people waving the flag of another country on the streets of the U.S. Have you lost anyone in your family fighting for your freedom.
Where I live it is press 1 for Spanish and 2 for English. The problem I have with this is that every other non English speaking immigrant to this country has had to learn English. It is inconceivable to me that we have bilingual education in elementary schools, public service forms are bilingual and jobs are posted bilingual preferred. Why are Hispanics so resistant to learning English? Maintain your language and culture within your family unit like other immigrant groups, but speak English within the larger society.
Go after the employers and the illegals will deport themselves back to where they came from
We have over 9 % unemployment if you count all the part-time workers who can't get full time work and all who just gave up lookng the real unemployment is around 15 % .
My question is why not end all legal immigration ? Jobs are going to other countries, the U.S. can't continue to allow more people in the U.S... We don't have the jobs anymore, why is legal immigration still going forward at full speed ? it doesn't make any sense. By the way I'm a Hispanic guy , so don't accuse me of being racists . Jose from Illinois.
@Jose: when should legal immigration be stopped? when the Europeans came to the New World, or before you came? I am sure you are not a Native American, or are you? The world legal is covered under the laws of this country. Illegal is where the line gets drawn. Everyone came here seeking a better life; from the Europeans to this generation. There are laws to govern this.
you need to get a grip, this is 2010 stop fighting the Mexican - American war. WE WON!,
Even if we stop letting people come to this country legally, jobs still being outsourced! It's quite obvious that this is an economic issue, not immigration. If we want to keep jobs in the U.S., let's think about the willingness to work. Look at the jobs those illegals do, are those jobs that you want? Processing chicken in a mid-west farm for $6/hour. I think most employers are not willing to risk hiring illegals if they can find enough workers.
Very good point............the very point I was going to make if someone else didn't. Further, I live just south of the Villages in Florida. During the home building surge, I would see workers from south of the border being taken advantage on a daily basis. 10 to 15 of them were living in run down single wide trailers, and every morning I would watch work vans pull up infront of the trailers, and would watch the workers pile out of these trailers into the work vans. How did I know they were undoucumented.......none could speak English, and when I drove into the construction areas, 1/2 the works force would disappear into the wood work...........safe bet.
I work in construction, one area where most of the jobs in the recession were lost, an area where illegals work at in a higher percentage (excluding low paying service jobs) than other white collar jobs. I hold no angst towards the illegals themselves, I do however have a great amount of disdain for the employers who knowingly hire illegal and the Chamber of Commerce for financially aiding those that would keep the status quo. Beside trying to finance their next campaign, can you explain why the government does not go after the employers of the illegals? If they did it seems to me that there would be more jobs avaliable or more opportunites for legal residents of this nation to start their own buisness grow and hire someone. Why won't anyone trim the deseased parts of our capitalist society away so that it can grow in a more healthy way?
I am an African-American , veteran , tax payer and registered voter (have voted in every election since turning 18). In talking with family members and family who are African American the vast majority does not support illegal aliens or changing the law. I expect my law makers to follow the rule of law. People who wish to enter and live in the United States must follow the laws and for those who have not followed the laws should be deported immediately. I am not for any form of amnesty, dream wish or guess worker programs. If these politicians are able to change to appease a portion of our population by changing the law then I will forced to ask what other laws will be changed to accomadate. I will not vote for any candidate who support these measures. Last election cycle I did not vote for any Democratic candidate( not because of the racist tea party or stupid /dumb Sarah Palin). I am tired of the Democratic party and their pandering for votes and not looking out for the best interest of this nation.
There should NOT be any questions, the Constitution needs to be obeyed, the illegals need to be deported and all illegals need to be kicked off any and all welfare immediately. The laws need to be followed and the fence NEEDS TO BE FINISHED.
We are a country of LAWS, laws which the illegals do NOT obey, yet they take advantage of every AMERICAN TAXPAYER who follow the laws and pay their way.
Get all illegals out of the U.S.A. and make room for TAXPAYING AMERICANS to get a job.
You are obviously a racist and are ignorant enough to believe that only illegal aliens come from Mexico. Yes, laws need to be obeyed, so why aren't Americans who who hire illegals being prosecuted. Prosecute American employers who hire illegal aliens and you can reduce the number illegal immigrants in search of jobs. It's a simple case of supply and demand, if the jobs are here they will come.
If Americans would just stop hiring illegal immigrants we wouldn't have to build a fence, hire more border patrol agents or even have this discussion.
By the way if illegal immigrants are here in America they are paying taxes through various methods; employment, rent, food, gas, cars, etc.
Why every time someones says they want our laws enforced, the illegal supporters call it raciest? If illegals were smart, they would learn English so no one could tell if they were legal or not. Naw the Mexicans want to take the land back therefore wanting to change our country! If it needs change , why they coming?
Hey Joe T, I am far from racist. That is the charge people like you always make when you have no sensible answer. In the first place, I NEVER mentioned Mexico, I SAID, Illegals. They come across the border from ALL COUNTRIES.
We have enough crazies and welfare users that are native born AMERICANS, without importing illegal aliens from ANY and all countries.
I wouuld like to point out that in many countries, if you or I were to illegally enter another country, lie about our identities and take advantage of their infrastructure (schools, health care and public assistance), we would be tried as undesirables at best, spies at worst and then put to death.
Yes, in many other countries if you aid and abet criminals (employers) you will suffer the same consequence. So, do you still support this action?
It sounds to me that the reason everyone dislikes to even touch the subject of immigration is because of how the economy is. Economy=bad, then blame the immigrants, Economy=good, and no one even remembers if immigrants are coming in.
To Jose: You can't just END immigration. That's nonsense. This country was founded by immigrants, so it makes no sense to stop even LEGAL immigration.
To Michael C:Why would you NOT support the change of law? First of all, we are under laws that are antiquated, and ancient. By continuing to have the immigration laws we have now, we exclude the progress of this country by leaving out the most important people in this country. The children. The undocumented students who were brought here so young, that they themselves grew up "American" as any one else born here. There is NO AMNESTY that I know of, being offered by ANY party, (Dem or Republic) and you shouldn't stray away from the democrats, just because they are taking steps to fixing a broken immigration law. You don't see the Republicans doing ANYTHING about it, yet they critisize and continue to do nothing. ALL TALK AND NO ACTION. Let me add that deporting a child who grew up here, and then becomes an adult, is like sending an American to the other side of the world. They did not grow anywhere else. They are American in every sense of they word. You may argue how they are still illegal, well, like I mentioned, the antiquated laws we have would only send that 20 yr old young man back to a country he has no memory of, and would allow him to come back 20 yrs later, where's the logic in that? All that talent gone to waste? So I urge you to please re-evaluate your beliefs, if not in Immigration Reform, then at least on issues like the DREAM act, where legalization would be EARNED, not granted, as students would have to achieve a higher education or contribute to their country by joining the military. They will not simply be handed their documents on a silver platter. It wouldn't be that simple.
To @stlrfan:Once again, the myth of immigrants spending your tax money. EVERYONE pays taxes. Not just citizens and residents. Immigrants residing in the states pay taxes too, if not more, because they DON'T get help from the Gov. with welfare, Undocumented students DON'T get federal money for school, Immigrants also PAY RENT, etc, so it it 100% coming from their pockets, not your tax money, or in better words, not the tax money they contribute, which you call YOURS.
To Joe T: Just to add to my point above, when employers hire illegal immigrants, they usually pay them "under the table" which means the employer themselves are taxed more on income they do not distribute to workers, Hence, another reason illegals contribute to paying Taxes, not to mention the LAW ABIDING immigrants who file taxes every year. Even without taxpayer benefits, like social security, disability, unemployment, they still file taxes, to comply with the law, and they get nothing in return, as their money is still taken from their income, and they cannot qualify for any Government help. I'm glad you see my point "By the way if illegal immigrants are here in America they are paying taxes through various methods; employment, rent, food, gas, cars, etc." but I hope you see why it is important to pass some kind of reform that is in the best interest in not only the illegal immigrants, but ALSO the american citizens."
To HotinNC?:What do you suggest? Kill all the illegals? Really? Are we really that poorly progressed, that we even have to correlate the differences of other countries to ours? We are America. NOT these "other countries" you refer to, we're supposed to be tolerant and amicable to people who are on the pursuit of happiness, yet we want to "kick all the illegals" out? No logic whatsoever. In a country founded and established by immigrants, you would think the topic of immigration wouldn't even be an issue today, unfortunately it is. And we can sit here and talk about, "they're stealing this or stealing that from us" or we can support leaders of congress who want to take a stand on this issue. And I'm sure we can meet somewhere in between. No to AMNESTY, but YES to reform! Because everything in life is worked for not obtained! And EVERYONE deserves a chance at the American Dream!
I will wait for you to send the first check. If you think illegals pay more back than they take from the economy, you need to takes some Econ classes.
If not ALL, then some, and studies show that they contribute to taxes nonetheless, so to hear people saying "they are stealing it ALL" is absurd.
Why does the word "illegal" not get its' due? My grandfather never spoke English but he was a legal immigrant. Stop with the platitude "we are a nation of immigrants". I reply "we are a nation of laws". To begin a relationship with America through criminal behavior is not acceptable. If you don't like the laws - change them. If a person is by definition illegal then they are also engaged in criminal behavior. I am against criminal behavior...why does that make me the bad guy?
Several million people who are here illegally have a US Citizen Spouse, child or parent. Spending money to deport the family members of US Citizens is money down a rat hole. Why not offer a prescription for a sane adjustment of status for the family members. Wholesale amnesty or CIR that does not address these families as the current and past CIR bills have not makes no sense. FIX FAMILY IMMIGRATION FIRST, then worker VISA's.
what is frustrating about this discussion is they are mainly talking about south of the border... what about all the illegal immigrants from canada, or europe, africa, asia.... there are a lot more of them than many americans think..
I understand that everyone came to this country for a better life. It is only fair that we all do it the right way. Africans, Asians, Arabs and others all wait on lines for visas to be processed before coming to this country; a process that takes years to complete. If others can just walk across the boarders to be reunited with their families and fight for equal rights as those that waited in line and abided by the laws of this country, then where do you draw the line? I am a first generation immigrant who is still waiting for the right time to file for my family that I haven't seen since the civil war in Liberia in 1992. When the right time comes the papers will get processed and we will be reunited. Others should do the same. It is only fair.
I've never seen a group of people more racist than the Hispanics and in particular the Mexicans.
Their motto in the city of Houston seems to be "In the State of Texas, if you're not Mexican, you ain't @!$%#!"
Of course the way La Raza puts it "Of those of the Race everything, and for those outside the Race nothing."
I don't think it gets any plainer than those two statements.
I've never seen a group of people more racist than the Hispanics and in particular the Mexicans.
Their motto in the city of Houston seems to be "In the State of Texas, if you're not Mexican, you ain't @!$%#!"
Of course the way La Raza puts it "Of those of the Race everything, and for those outside the Race nothing."
I don't think it gets any plainer than those two statements.
This was billed as a townhall. To be a true townhall, you need two changes.
1. The questions and dialog needs to be set by the audience, not the producers.
2. You need to find someone more objective than Lawrence O'Donnell.
ONE BIG PART OF THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE "JOBS, JOBS, JOBS." WHY ISN'T ANYONE POINTING TO THE BIG CORPORATIONS THAT OUTSOURCE THOUSANDS OF JOBS ABROAD? Moreover, consider US trade policy: we put people in other countries (especially in Latin America) out of work via trade subsidized exports, and then our companies turn around and outsource jobs to India and China.
Because they are doing it within the law. Illegals are just that!
I thought this was going to be an open and honest discussion of immigration. What a one viewpoint puff piece it is.
Tackle illegal immigration by NOT tackling illegal immigration. Possibly the biggest complaint that I've heard about the illegal immigration issue is the concern that illegal immigrants use tax payer supported services (public schools, hospitals, etc...) without paying into the system to fund them. Income taxes, withheld from legal workers paychecks, fund these services. Illegal workers do not or are perceived to not have these funds withheld from their pay.
Level the playing field.....
Much of this issue could be solved by another "hot button" issue in today's politics... A national sales tax. If a national sales tax replaced our current income tax system, illegal workers would pay into the system. Everyone buys the things needed to live, food , clothing, etc.... There would be no discrepancy between tax withholding between legal and illegal workers because there would be NO withholding.
So tackle illegal immigration by tackling tax reform!