Shelley wrote on Mar 10, 2006 6:27 PM:I am just wondering who participated in this study? Was it only American citizens or simply anyone living in California? I think this would definately have an impact on the number who support immigration because many of people who participated may be immigrants or perhaps related to them... I personally do not have an opinion as of yet. I would need to learn more about the issue.

ex103 wrote on Mar 11, 2006 2:31 AM:First of all, I think it should be easier to come here ligitimately, and Mexico needs to get their sh#t together and create some jobs. Also, American business owners need to be held accountable for employing these so called "illegal immagrants". All in all I place the "blame" on American business owners, the American government and the Mexican government. I'm not going to be angry at hard working people who risk their lives to feed their families, that would just be stupid and down right insensative.

Ace wrote on Mar 11, 2006 4:30 AM:Although no one can tie the numbers down... There is little doubt that illegal immigration is a plus to California's powerful economy. Getting our arms around it by changing our tax structure to tax goods and services instead income would also be a benefit. A bracero program is another way to insure that agriculture continues to thrive in what would otherwise be a wastland know as the Imperial Valley. Dealing with this negative and turning it into a positive in spite of all the current xenophobes is at least a start IMO.

Sandy K wrote on Mar 11, 2006 6:37 AM:I was wondering the same thing as Shelley. Who conducted this study? Who did they poll? For sure nobody asked me! From where I sit, I believe people are getting fed up with ILLEGAL immigration. And, please note the word "illegal" as I have no problem with immigrants who go through the system and want to be American citizens. People who want to assimilate into our society. The ones who come into this country illegally should all be deported. Doesn't anybody remember when amnesty was granted to illegal immigrants in the 1980's when it was supposed to be a one-time thing and that border security was going to be increased so there would be no more illegal immigrants coming into our country? Well, it didn't work. I just can't believe that any legal American citizen would be in favor of ILLEGAL immigration.

osidelady wrote on Mar 11, 2006 7:33 AM:I tired of "paying" their way. I pay ALL of my way here. Taxes,car insur,med. insur. If they want to live here"pay all" that the rest of us have too. What happens if "they "hit our car,hmm I KNOW,our insur pays,which means my rates go up!!

TEA Party wrote on Mar 11, 2006 8:29 AM:Ace admits that there needs to be a "turn around". Ace recognizes there is a problem. Let's identify some of the symptoms: Health care? Abused by our "ILLEGAL international travelers". Schools? Hold up our classes! We've got to give OUR citizen resources to anothers country's children so that they have the distinct advantage in the market place to be audibly bilingual? In addition to provoiding nutrition, transportation, counceling, and special education? Our children are being educationaly displaced. Generation after generation. (I am a testiment to that: In the 70's I was taken out of class for 2 hours a day for 2 years and sent to babysit in the kindergarten class while they taught ESL to 29 other kids. It took the rest of my school years to catch up in special classes at another district in order to acheive graduation. Ijole!) Illegals don't know the rules of the road, cause accidents. Then flee. Sticking you and me with the insurance bill. Use our roads that took many generations of citizens to build for FREE! (Like it's the four-letter-F-word.) In additon, they contribute to traffic jams, eat up our law enforcement allocations, and monkey wrench OUR legislatures time and resources with chimera agendas designed to allow them "special privelages" to grossly violate our American laws. No doubt they pay sales tax and CRV's as any international traveler would with a permittable passport to visit our country with an agreed upon "stay" from another foreign country. Maybe we should look at our North boarder and study what is going on up there? Oh! Shelley, until we can hold everyone to their consequences in the form of a T.E.A. Party (Transperency, Efficiency, & Accountability) we will be blocked and bound in our ability to throw the foriegn stock overboard.

Danny wrote on Mar 11, 2006 9:56 AM:I also want to know who conducted this poll. I have seen the opposite. We need our immigration laws to be respected so we know who is in this country. Our borders are so pourous that how can anyone feel safe. We need to go after the businesses that hire illegal immigrants and especially those that pay cash under the table. Who's going to get the jobs as soon as construction slows and it will. What is Mexico and the other countries doing to help their own people and economy? Our own government doesn't enforce the laws that they made. We have immigration laws for very good reasons. It's as simple as looking in the dictionary. I would suggest that our leaders get out in the areas most negatively impacted by illegal immigration before the rest of the country feels it.

harry wrote on Mar 11, 2006 10:58 AM:The softening of the opposition to illegal immigration comes from those who make their profit from exploiting a large illegal non-union work force who don't expect benefits and accept horrendous conditions. For those who use day labor for yard work to orchard owners and contractors, the illegal immigrants are a bonanza. Unfortunately their profits come at the expense of the rest of society who subsidize them through food stamps, health care, education etc. The softening of attitudes also may reflect the numbers of illegal aliens and their families residing here already. The demographic shift will result in a shift in attitudes.

GlamGirl wrote on Mar 11, 2006 11:27 AM:I am sick of hearing that illegal immigrants take jobs Americans don't want. I'll take $10 an hour, tax free cleaning houses! I don't mind paying higher prices BY CHOICE for produce, car washes, etc. and not paying to educate or provide health care for freeloaders. Most of us who legally immigrated here spent 7 years or more in red tape to be tax paying citizens and to pay our own way!

John wrote on Mar 11, 2006 12:48 PM:It might be more significant if you spelled "significant" correctly.

Suzie wrote on Mar 11, 2006 1:12 PM:Must have been illegals that were polled.

Doug wrote on Mar 11, 2006 4:10 PM:As always, Ace would much rather call someone a 'xenophobe' than face facts: Agricultural economist Philip Martin of UC Davis notes in a recent news magazine article that 'about 7 percent of the price paid by shoppers for strawberries goes to the pickers. In return, the public picks up the tab for the workers' medical care and their children's schooling.' In other words, the benefit of migrant farm labor to the California consumer is minor. And we shouldn't forget (those of us who knew it to begin with) that a 1997 National Academy of Sciences commission estimated that an illegal immigrant without a high-school degree ultimately costs America $100,000 more than he/she contributes. All of which shows that in Ace's world, a xenophobe is an economist.

Cindy wrote on Mar 11, 2006 5:27 PM:I heard in a recent interview that 95% of Mexican wealth is owned by 17 Mexican families. The rest of the Mexican people are left to starve or scrape to get by. That's just not right. The Mexican government doesn't have to do anything about this unfair distribution of wealth because America lets the desperately poor Mexican folks to enter illegally. The above statistics were quoted in an interview on CSPAN with a union official representing our border crossing guards.

Rob wrote on Mar 11, 2006 5:40 PM:I'd like to know who conducted this poll and what their agenda is also. I don't believe those results are representative of that high a percentage of Californian's, not for a minute. The negative impacts so far outweigh any miniscule positives that it is no comparison, and those are nationwide, not only in California. It's amazing how one poll comes out that is way out of whack with all the other recent polls I've read about and it grabs headlines.

johnnyram wrote on Mar 11, 2006 8:26 PM:Its our fought in the US for not having enough visa to meet US business needs. We are basically 12 million visa short since these are how many undocumented workers we have here from mexico, asia, europe, africa, and elsewhere. You just cant pickup and remove 10% of our american workforce. yes, you heard me say it. american workforce, because they are apart of it. I didnt say they were american.

sKIP wrote on Mar 11, 2006 8:59 PM:Do you see whats happening to "our" country??? Immigrants, not American citizens are trying to decide the direction of "our" country. WAKE UP!!!!!!!

Doug wrote on Mar 11, 2006 9:10 PM:There's good feedback here. True to the instincts of a suspicious (and patriotic) majority, the Field Poll sample included a much larger number of 'new arrivals' to the state and a larger percentage of respondants who were 'not eligible to vote' than in previous polls. It's got to tell you something!

Skip wrote on Mar 11, 2006 10:02 PM:ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME ! If you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, TRY THIS: Enter Mexico illegally. Never mind immigration quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense. Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for you and your entire family. Demand bilingual nurses and doctors. Procreate abundantly. Demand free bilingual local government forms, bulletins, etc. Deflect any criticism of this allegedly irresponsible reproductive behavior with, "It is a cultural USA thing. You would not understand, pal." Keep your American identity strong. Fly Old Glory from your rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window or on your car bumper. Procreate abundantly. Speak only English at home and in public and insist that your children do likewise. Demand classes on American culture in the Mexican school system. Demand a local Mexican driver license. This will afford other legal rights and will go far to legitimize your unauthorized, illegal presence in Mexico. Drive around with no liability insurance and ignore local traffic laws. Procreate abundantly. Insist that local Mexican law enforcement teach English to all its officers. Good luck! You'll be demanding for the rest of time or soon dead. Because it will never happen. It will not happen in Mexico or any other country in the world except right here in the United States, Land of the naive and stupid, idiotic politically correct politicians. If you agree, pass it on. If you don't, go ahead and try the above in Mexico or Iraq.

Ace wrote on Mar 11, 2006 10:14 PM:If Dougie would read through some of the comments he might understand what I mean by Xenophobes. These are people who just banter on and offer no solutions or ideas. They denigate Mexicans and are just plain prejudice. As for the economist Dougie qoutes: Lets see an estimated 8-10 million illegals at 100,000 a piece cost America how much? I guess I should surf the web and find counter statistics but why bother? Thes numbers are not to impressive and this economic-xenophobic cherry picking statistic I would say is bull.

TEA Party wrote on Mar 12, 2006 8:36 AM:I agree, "good feedback". However the first question still remains unanswered. 'Who participated in this study?' Until that question is brought to absolute clarification the definition of "study" simply falls under the scheme of a category defined as a "hoax". Let we the people see the 1982 study? Let we the people see the recent study. Who were the poll participants labled as "Californians'" That's right. "Californians'" How is this definition being "spun"? What were the political bountries? Then we have Ace? How many of you have sat on Ace's couch to be psychologially evaluated with his forensic degree to be diagnosed with one, only one symptom? Xenophobe? Haaa! He's not a doctor weilding a DSM IV? Don't buy his quack labeling. It's misguiding, and is not of the nature of being an expert to us participants who are true Californians'. Everybody, give Zack and his producers a round of applause. At "least" we get to participate as opposed to being stuffed (literally) like a turkey. Time is overdue for consequences on behalf of those causing the problems.

A Mom wrote on Mar 12, 2006 9:00 AM:Over crowded classrooms. Schools losing money because of low testing English learners whom are expected to be working at grade level, housing shortages, etc. Try going to an emergancy room and waiting forever to be seen. Make sure you pay your grossly inflated bill, because they can't so you get to make up fot it. Try finding affordable housing when times are hard. You can't, it is all taken up. Try finding a clerical job where they do not want you to be able to speak spanish because so many clients or customers cannot speak English. Try being down on your luck and going to ANY government program or agency for help...All maxed out with helping the illegals. What has been taken away from us is far greater then what is being put in. I also have no problem with those that come here legally. My Grandparents did. What I do take strong issue with is those that are here against the law, and yet are draining our education system and social assistance programs. Could I go over to Mexico, stick my kids in school and expect them to be taught spanish, no. Would the government provide me with low income housing, free dental & medical, vouchers for food, and money for my kids to get a higher education? Don't think so. Why this is even an issue is beyond me. I have lived in Calif my entire life and have seen this problem go from bad to worse. It saddens me. It truly does.

OCAngel wrote on Mar 12, 2006 10:13 AM:This poll was conducted by a media source. Come on, we all know the media is biased liars. Why should we be surprised when they come out with some bogus poll, skewed to their liking. We need to stand up and fight this in the streets, not sit behind our computers and complain. Get up people of America. Join a local immigration reform group, hold signs in front of your elected officials office, join rallys and protestds, and join the Minutemen at the border. We can no longer depend on our government to protect our country. If we don't do it no one else will. WAKE UP AMERICA!

Tera wrote on Mar 12, 2006 10:38 AM:I feel the same way Shelly feels.A large proportion of our society is no longer English.

dave wrote on Mar 12, 2006 10:58 AM:I have an old wooden Winchester cartridge box Flojo gave me. It's ancient. Actually dovetailed! The Arizona Rangers left it at The Cananea Mine when they broke up the strike. The Cananea Mine in Mexico. The Rangers came home, and all I got was this box, that used to be full of "The only language Mexicans understand". The enemy is us.

Jay wrote on Mar 12, 2006 11:36 AM:Illegal aliens are criminals who should be rounded up and promptly sent back to whence they came. These days these parasites are 'in your face', as shown by last Fridays major uproar in Chicago by illegals and 'Hispanics' (whatever that is) who are upset by the Sensenbrenner Bill (H.R. 4437). Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II are all responsible for this infestation, and all (except Reagan, of course), should be punished criminally for it. The present Bush should ahve been removed from office years ago for spitting in the face of the U. S. Constitution.

Cathy wrote on Mar 12, 2006 11:55 AM:I guess it's the price the USA pays for being the most FREE country on the planet! Far more people want to come than our immigration laws allow. (I personally find it weird that foreign press & foreign elite regularly vilify the USA while the oppressed in their countries will pay thousands of dollars and risk their lives to get to the USA.) What FREEdoms or FREE public benefits should we give to people who have violated our borders? At what point will our generosity to illegal immigrants harm us to the point where the USA no longer is the best nation around? After that, then where will the world's desperate go?

Katie wrote on Mar 12, 2006 12:50 PM:Basically, everyone is an immigrant. Unless, of course, ALL of your ancestors were born here. And if they were, they were probably Mexicans, for California was part of Mexico. <--That's some history for all of you. For heaven's sake people, it's not the illegal immigrants' fault the economy is as it is. Don't any of you know that the US government has long ago been out of enough gold to back up the money going around? US is way overdue for a depression.READ and get inform before you make any comments.

Moses wrote on Mar 12, 2006 3:33 PM:Sky-rocketing housing prices due to a skewed supply of potential house-owners; terrible, overcrowded schools; a city of Los Angeles that the BBC compared to Iraq in 2005 (in terms of violence); clogged highways and a crumpling (no-collapsing) healtcare system are all good things, right? Enjoy you're cheap veggies, clowns that like this racket! You are getting what you deserve. As someone of Mexican decent, I'd hate to see Califonia resemble Mexico City in terms of poverty and corruption, but that seems to be the next step. Maybe we can leave Califonia one day and seek a "better life" in Mexico! This is sad, bordering on disgraceful.

Z wrote on Mar 12, 2006 7:02 PM:"A MOM" HOW CAN YOU REFER TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS AS MEXICANS?? YOU SAID THE FOLLOWING : " Could I go over to Mexico, stick my kids in school and expect them to be taught spanish, no. Would the government provide me with low income housing, free dental & medical, vouchers for food, and money for my kids to get a higher education?" HOW CAN YOU COMPARE THE BENEFITS YOU GET IN A WEALTHY COUNTRY TO ONE THAT HAS HIGH POVERTY RATES?? WELL OF COURSE IF YOU GOT TO MEXICO THEY WONT GIVE YOU ANY BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY DONT EVEN HAVE ANY FOR THEIR OWN PEOPLE!!! NOW, THE U.S ECONOMY GROWTH WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT IMMIGRATION, WHETHER IT IS LEGAL OR ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACTUALLY FILL THE TYPES OF JOBS THAT NATIVES WOULD NOT TAKE!! OVER TIME, IMMIGRANTS HAVE COLLECTIVELY PROVIDED MORE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN TAXES THAN THEY RECEIVE IN BENEFITS! "A MOM" YOU'VE PROBABLY WONDERED ABOUT THE PESTICIDE RESIDUES THAT MIGHT BE ON YOUR FOOD.....WELL CONSIDER FOR A MOMMENT HOW THOSE PESTICIDES GOT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE??? FARM WORKERS THOUGHOUT CALIFORNIA SUFFER OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PESTICIDE EXPOSURE....NOW THINK AGAIN, WOULD YOU TAKE THIS JOB? I DIDN'T THINK SO! SO I SUGGEST THAT NEXT TIME YOU DECIDE TO MAKE STEREO TYPES ABOUT PEOPLE YOU DO SOME RESEARCH AND NOT SOUND SO IGNORANT NEXT TIME :)

Peter wrote on Mar 12, 2006 9:52 PM:The poll was taken of business owners who benefit from cheap labor!

becca wrote on Mar 13, 2006 12:15 AM:First I want to say I understand that illegals are impacted our society, but Americas are using them as scapecoats as well. Crowded in classrooms? thats due to a lack of money put into our education system. Crowded in the unemployemt office? thats also due to AMERICANS that need to get up and do something... all i am saying is just make sure that we are blaming illegals with our countrys problems like we have in the past with other immigrants

Decision time is near wrote on Mar 13, 2006 3:32 AM:To Moses, we appear to be at a crossroads. I'm worried too.

Bill wrote on Mar 13, 2006 6:04 AM:This so-called poll is another example of media trying to mold culture. Absurd. If you like lowered wages, deficient schools, gangs, poor healthcare, and no affordable housing: keep pulling for the illegals.

ROGER wrote on Mar 13, 2006 6:29 AM:It is fine to be just to visit a country,but if your planing to stay ! you must respect the policies of that given country to become a perment resedent.break the law and their should be your 1 way ticket back to where you came from.immigrantion in the past year's in my country has had a an overwelming amount of refugee's etc.,.now thieir in their way of life remains the same as before,and right to the life crime drug's murder's crack ,etc. It's TIME our POLITION'Sof our own home country's start TO EXTRADITE THESE DANGERIOUS IMMIGRANT'S BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

Bruce wrote on Mar 13, 2006 7:14 AM:The simple answer to all of this falls on one word; Illegal. There is no political correctness, no gray area, no need to try and intepret it any other way that it is. Illegal. It means against the law. Come, conform, be a contributor to America, but do it legally. If you can't do it legally, good by.

Litl Bits wrote on Mar 13, 2006 7:42 AM:Amnesty, of ANY type, is completely UNCONSTITUTIONAL! Illegal per my online dictionary: Prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules. If we provide amnesty for them, then why not all of our citizen criminals? After all, breaking laws means nothing, then all of those prisoners should be released as well! I realize this sounds absurd! But to provide ANY type of amnesty is ILLEGAL - UNCONSTITUTIONAL. When is our Congress going to get back to living under our own Constitutional? Unless and until we clean House (and Senate) - get rid of Career Politicians, we will not be able to live under the Constitution as it was written. We are supposed to have Citizen Legislators.....citizens who go and serve for a term or two at the most and then return home to continue with their business or whatever they did beforehand. Career politicians' only goal is to stay in Congress.....at all costs! They care not what the citizens need or want! They only care about the next election. Vote OUT anyone who has been there for more than two terms and vote IN those who will truly represent the will of the people. Then and only then will we have the proper enforcement of laws already on the books - including those having to do with keeping our borders secure! Amnesty WILL by its nature grant citizenship to anyone already here - including those who intend to overthrow this government!

Steve wrote on Mar 13, 2006 9:58 AM:The news buried it, but the guy who was killed in the liquor store with the girl in El cajon last week, came illegally through Mexico 6 months ago and was going to claim asylum. The Tribune changed their story last week and now says "he recently moved here." It's only a matter of time before a foreign national bent on terrorism crosses over..

perri. wrote on Mar 13, 2006 10:22 AM:It`s only a matter of time before the spineless government,Creates a situation called ,HELL in the united states.

expatriate wrote on Mar 13, 2006 11:35 AM:I suppose that this dubious poll goes under the heading of "if you say it often enough (and loud enough), pretty soon people begin to accept what you say as 'truth'." Or at least fact. Hey, it beats thinking for yourself, I suppose.

The New California Alien wrote on Mar 13, 2006 2:09 PM:Wake up our goverment and politicians have decided for us. We have become Calmexico. Every where you go all you hear is Spanish. So to all my native Californians pack up and move out sorry, but California is headed down south you can only imagine how bad it is going to get. According to the illegals, they have come, they are here and nobody will kick them out because they have every right to be here and nothing is going to stop them from continuing to come here. Our own goverment has turned it's back on the American citizens and is now embracing the new law - illegal and crimmal is a good thing and just let the Mexican goverment run the show. Lets see what happens when these people continue to cross the border and start making more and more demands and this state's income revenues go down south as well. Face it you can't collect much tax from people with 12 or more some times invisiable dependents. Be prepared for a future bankrupt California. Leave now while you still have a chance to the soon to be wealthy Mexico.

Benster wrote on Mar 13, 2006 2:54 PM:I don't know one single person who believes illegals are a good thing. What I do know is this: I have to pay for private school for my kid, so she can go to classes where English is the only language spoken, I have to pay for her medical insurance, I have to pay for her to eat lunch, I have to feed her breakfast before taking her to shcool in my car I have to pay for, and pay for the insurance on that car to cover damage inflicted upon it from the illegal losers who don't pay to play the game in this country. I then go to my job, where my annual pay has declined steadily for the last several years due to competition from illegal losers who work for less money. This "poll" which was taken must have been done by some pro-welfare free everything to anyone who speaks spanish rights group - no one I know was asked their opinion!!!!

concernedcitizen wrote on Mar 13, 2006 3:31 PM:To all those who claim to support legal immigration but not illegal immigration, stop fooling yourselves and lying to us. You, obviously, don't know what you are talking about or you do know but you want to disguise your hatred. The law is utterly ridiculous and our legislators have little or no backbone to stand up to the xenophobic, neo-fascist base of the republican party who shower us with direct mail decrying the "border crisis." Here's a personal case in point for all you immigration "reformers": I am a citizen. My wife was brought here as a child by her parents. She had no say in the matter as you might imagine. Despite the fact that we've been married for going on 5 years the only way for us to achieve "legal" status of any type is for me to ship her back to Mexico for up to 2 years while the consulate decides if she should get a visa. Would you ship your spouse away? In any case, I don't think a citizen should have to. My constitution gaurantees my rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of hapiness. BCIS (formely INS and also known affectionately as Migra) is trampling those latter two for me. Do you think that is right? Which law shouldn't be broken - the constitution or the immigration code?

Chuck wrote on Mar 13, 2006 5:02 PM:What part of "illegal" don't you understand?

T-ReX wrote on Mar 13, 2006 5:12 PM:Poll-scmoll. A poll taken to get the results the elite media wants. Why they want such a result, only God knows. To increase newspapers sales, perhaps. I love the Latino(Indians and whites from south of the border) people. I don't like illegal aliens who crash our borders to send money back to Mexico to support there families at the expense of a job that could be done by a legal(Indian or white) American. Trust me, these people are making at least $8/hr and many will not work for less than $10 and get it. No tax. Pretty decent money considering the exchange rate and the fact that many of these people are living in situations where the rent is practically free due to the number of roomies! I appreciate their plight and their familia in Mexico, but...and it's a big but, it's fraking ILLEGAL!!!

Kristie wrote on Mar 13, 2006 6:09 PM:Those of you that want our leaders to do something about illegal immigration need to call your senators in Washington now. There is a committee of senators trying to decide what to do about illegal immigration. You can also visit the Fair Federation for American Immigration Reform website. They will give you an update and the phone #'s of your senators. We can talk amongst ourselves all day but if you really want something done than flood the senators offices with phone calls.

citizen wrote on Mar 13, 2006 10:53 PM:Benster is such a complainer. Who doesn't pay for car insurance, who doesnt feed their children who doesn't.... u get the idea. all this person is doing is complain. u need to come back to reality. immigration is very positive thing. people who come here to work should be allowed to stay. especially if they've been here for close to twenty years. sex offenders, criminals, TERRORRISTS should be deported to WHEREVER they have come from if they are us citizens should be taken. in. hard working people should be left alone and be allowed to stay permanently in the US and contribute to the US economy like they have been doing. in a very positive way.

Karen wrote on Mar 14, 2006 7:27 AM:Many people don't seem to understand the situation. I'm a farmer, farmers need workers and the immigrants are willing to work. Couldn't find a white person to work on a farm if my life depended on it. Most of the illegals would much prefer to be legal and not have to risk their lives crossing the desert and mountains to get here. What we need is an easy method for workers to register, cross to work and be able to go back home like they want. If they are legal they have a social and standard deductions come from their checks. Why are so many people so ignorant?????

Kristie wrote on Mar 14, 2006 8:21 AM:Karen - I agree we need a program for farm work like we used to have or bring wages up so citizens would take the jobs. I would pay more for my fruit and vegetables. The problem with illegal immigration is we're being swamped by illegal immigrants. They are not just working the farms anymore. If it were just about farm workers you wouldn't be hearing the outrage from so many citizens. Because we have no control over who is coming here TB is on the rise and the children now get hepititus shots. Because we have no control over our borders a large criminal element has crossed over. Have you heard of the gangs that have formed? My grandson was a victim. Have you visited the areas of cities that do not have farm work to see what has happened to once nice single family homes? Have you seen the illegal rentals in single family neighborhoods?? There's much more to this out of hand situation than just obtaining farm workers. That's what all of the fuss is about. Ask my thirty-six year old son how many times he has been robbed and who he caught doing it. He had to put a security camera outside his house. He lives in a nice area with his wife and 3yr. old daughter. Ask my husband about being hit twice and chasing down illegal immigrants on the freeway because they took off running. The list can go on. Illegal immigration has to be dealt with and our borders secure. No amnesty. We do need a workers program but this mess that's been created must be cleaned up first. Our borders have to be secured. Mexico and the other countries have to find a way to take care of their people who seek a better life. Legal immigration is here for many good reasons.

Brad wrote on Mar 14, 2006 8:22 AM:I agree this poll is bogus, but I am so tired of hearing remarks like "Basically, everyone is an immigrant". Partly true, but the major difference is my ancestors like many others came here LEGALLY. BIG difference. My ancestors didn't sneak across the border. Like others have said, which part of illegal don't you understand? Our government needs to enforce their own laws, instead of giving away our resources to everyone who can get here for generation after generation.

Ace wrote on Mar 14, 2006 8:40 AM:"I'm a farmer, farmers need workers and the immigrants are willing to work. Couldn't find a white person to work on a farm if my life depended on it." Reply: You won't find any of us Americans of any race to work either. The bracero program with incentives would be a start in preventing the Imperial valley fro vaporizing.The xenophobes seem to have no answers or positive suggestions. Typical lock the gate, build a wall etc etc. We need a workable solution nthis is just one.

Martha in Poway wrote on Mar 14, 2006 9:48 AM:I recommend anyone to watch a very informative interview and call-in segment on C-Span with a scholar who has researched illegal immigration for many years. I was impressed by how rational, calm and clear he was on this highly emotional and complex issue: http://c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100 SCROLL to 3/9/06 segments -- Jeffrey Passel, Pew Hispanic Center, Senior Research Associate discusses his research on the amount of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Mr. Passel will also discuss how that number relates to current policy discussions about illegal immigration such as a guest worker program and border security. 3/9/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 40 min.

Doc wrote on Mar 14, 2006 9:59 AM:I worked my way through University working as a dishwasher, laborer, carpenter, rod buster, fish dock worker, roofer, and many other jobs. Not only did these jobs pay for my used books, meals, rent, and tuition - they all were essential experiences forming my life long American values and principles. Sure, support illegal immigration. And I promise you... Chechnya is coming to America.

Jean wrote on Mar 14, 2006 12:45 PM:Having been married to an illegal whom I divorced for alcoholism, I KNOW for a fact that this "poll" is as PHONY as my claim that I am a 21-year-old virgin. I am a 51-year-old grandmother. If you believe this phony poll, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn, New York that I will sell you. It is called the Brooklyn Bridge. Seriousy, ALL reputable and accurate polls show that a large majority of Californians like me are staunchly OPPOSED to illegal immigration because they bring in crime, diseases, gangs, vicious mistreatment of women, and they steal our good-paying jobs and destroy our neighborhoods, schools, and bankrupt our hospitals, welfare and food stamps and other social services and commit crime after crime after vicious crime and they think they cannot ever be deported for it. The majority come over here ONLY to sell drugs, and I KNOW that and the mexicans KNOW that, and ANYBODY with an OUNCE of SENSE knows that.

Jean wrote on Mar 14, 2006 1:11 PM:Also, I and my husband got the 1986 IRCA amnesty. They promised to enforce the laws against criminal employers and force them to verify job applicants and then forcibly prevented the enforcement part of the law from being carried out. The illegal aliens are getting very brazen. They ALL need to be deported and permanently barred from this country. They will have to build a wall and put the military and the National Guard on the border to help the Border Patrol Agents. They will have to be FORCIBLY kept out. As soon as they are deported, they try to illegally cross the border AGAIN only to commit more crimes. They HAVE to be FORCIBLY removed from this country and FORCIBLY kept out, even if it means their deaths. About the time they start shooting a few then the rest will get the message and stay in Mexico and Central America. By the way, THEY LEAVE JOBS IN MEXICO to come here to steal OUR good-paying jobs. They can make here in 1 day what they make in 1 day in Mexico. Their families are NOT starving in Mexico and there IS work, but they make more money over here. They come out of sheer greed as they are NOT satisfied with what they have in Mexico and they are jealous of what WE have. So they come here for that shiny new red truck for the men, new clothes, fancy new house, and then they go back to Mexico and show off and brag about it to the mexicans who stayed behind and it makes the other mexicans want to come here. They badmouth us and make fun of us. I have been to Mexico 2 times; about 400 miles south of the Arizona-Mexico border, way out in the boonies. Where I went to, the people there were ALL working. They were NOT starving. Poor, maybe, but NOT starving. My former-illegal alien ex-husband from Mexico SAID that he came over here, NOT because there is no work in Mexico, but rather, he said, because he KNEW that he could make in 1 day here what he would make in 1 week in Mexico. Also, they have absolutely NO respect whatsoeve for OUR laws or any laws. Lying, dishonesty, deceit, and THIEVERY are typical mexican behavior and the way of life in Mexico. By the way, I speak, read, and write mexican spanish fluently. They also scream bloody-murder that their labor is needed. Well, their labor is NOT needed and our economy will NOT collapse without them. This is what they WANT you to believe. What did WE do before this invasion by illegal aliens across the southern border? We managed just fine without illegal aliens and WE did the work. I was a farmworker for half my life and I do NOT mind paying more for produce and anything else if they will get the illegals OUT of MY country. We did NOT invite them here and we don't want them here and they don't belong here PERIOD!!!

Ace wrote on Mar 14, 2006 5:55 PM:Where's Dougie?... Just look at the threads below this one and maybe you will understand when the use of the word xenophobe. Not a workable solution and a continual bru-ha-haa trying to incite violence and escalate a negative solution. In fact I would recommend the NCT take a real close look at whats being posted and delete for the yelling fire in a theatre it is.

Anne wrote on Mar 14, 2006 6:11 PM:My parents emigrated to this country LEGALLY many years ago and gave us, their children, a life that they could only dream of when they were kids. To make a better life for one's family is everyone's dream, and I don't begrudge anyone of this dream at all. But to come here under illegal circumstances and then abuse our social system, the educational system and our health system...well, that just makes me see red!These illegal immigrants EXPECT to be given every right we, as legal citizens of this country, are given. When this is questioned, then we are said to be racists. Are we racists when we are only trying to protect our own rights as citizens? We pay taxes to pay for these benefits...they do not, yet they are given these benefits FREE. Another thing that upsets me is this senario: an illegal pregnant woman presents herself to a hospital in active labor. Hospitals CANNOT deny them treatment and we give her FREE care. It doesn't stop there. Because this child is born here in the US, IT IS AUTOMATICALLY GIVEN US CITIZENSHIP, regardless of the citizenship of the parent, thus giving it all benefits a citizen of this country is entitled. WHY is this so??? Why isn't this child given the citizenship of its mother? Do other countries of the world practice this? Do they give automatic citizenship to these children? NO! This law has been long abused and needs to be change! This is obviously a very sensitive topic and our senators and representatives don't want to address it because it will make them look bad to their illegal constituents(remember, we are racists). I have lived here in California all of my life and it makes me sad to see our state's systems crumbling because of the heavy burden we must carry to provide for so many that are here illegally.

Ed wrote on Mar 14, 2006 6:12 PM:Objectively, California and the rest of America may require a foreign labor pool to further American economic interests. The difficulty in measuring any benefit of illegal immigration to fill this foreign labor pool arises from studies on this issue always leaving out an important negative variable. For example, if a study includes the factor of costs to the federal justice system for trying illegal alien smugglers for their crimes, then the balance on this issue may shift away from the positive. As well, if a study includes the state costs, annually running to hundreds of millions of dollars, to imprison thousands of criminal illegal aliens, then again the balance may shift. Finally, if a study describes the benefits lost to Californians from having to spend these millions every year on criminal illegal aliens, instead of on, say, new elementary schools or new roads, then the balance may shift. Furthermore, the argument for employing illegal aliens rests on a false premise: Americans will not fill the jobs that illegal aliens fill. Yes, Americans would fill these jobs -- if American employers offered a higher wage, improved benefits, and better working conditions to do these jobs. American employers oppose strict enforcement of illegal immigration for their own narrow economic interest (keeping labor costs low), ignoring the wider economic, social, and political negative impacts from illegal immigration. I believe most Americans would agree to pay a little more for their goods and services if doing so meant the end of illegal immigration.

renee wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:59 AM:They all need to be rounded up and sent back. They act as if americans are in the way now and are down right rude most of the time. FREELOADERS!

Steve wrote on Mar 15, 2006 9:07 AM:Well said Ed. Karen, you say you're a farmer. Let me ask you, do you use legal and/or illegal workers? What do you pay said workers? Do you pay the legal workers more money since I assume you're taking taxes out of their pay, and not out of the pay the illegals get? Do you provide housing for these workers? If so, what is the cost to them? Could you paint a picture for us less informed, just what life and working conditions are like for these employees?

Bryan wrote on Mar 15, 2006 9:20 AM:Right on Anne! You hit all the nails on the head. I couldn't agree with you more. You should send your comments to our politicians. I have seen the situation you described of a illegal pregnant woman happen over and over through the years. It has to stop!

RWC wrote on Mar 15, 2006 9:58 AM:These types of polls are irrelvant. What is popular does not necessary make it right. History is full of proof that this is right. History ignored / forgotten will be repeated.

Doug wrote on Mar 15, 2006 11:02 AM:There’s strong consensus here (among us so-called 'xenophobes') for tightening the border, cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, and removing illegal immigrants from our communities. Lawmakers are now considering bills that would strengthen border security, enforce workplace hiring rules, and create a guest-worker program. But how serious are they? Experience suggests that Congress is willing to hire more border agents and legalize “guest workers,” but it draws the line at disturbing businesses that profit from illegal migrant labor (like poor farmer Karen). We have both political parties to thank for a lack of immigration enforcement. Some Republicans (and Democrats) argue falsely that illegal immigrant labor is vital to the economy, while Democrats disguise the fact that a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants is also a path to eventual political hegemony for the Democratic Party. If Congress is serious about heeding the consensus of the electorate and ending illegal immigration it will: 1. Repeal the birthright citizenship provision of the Fourteenth Amendment; 2. Require employers to participate in a mandatory verification program that removes the “gosh, we didn’t know” loophole from current law and forces employers to verify the employment eligibility of workers. Employers also must report the suspected use of counterfeit documents to immigration authorities or the FBI; 3. Hire 30,000 interior immigration enforcement agents authorized to check the employment rolls of companies using immigrant labor; 4. Set a date for full compliance--say, December 31, 2007, enough time for companies to replace illegal workers--after which employers would face stiff ($50,000) fines for each infraction and/or jail time; 5. Announce and advertise in migrant communities across the country--in English and Spanish--a date by which persons and families living illegally in the United States must self deport. The deadline must allow reasonable time for migrants to make arrangements for return to their home countries. Migrants without legal documentation apprehended after the deadline in community sweeps conducted by the Border Patrol would be immediately deported; 6. Establish a federal office of relocation to assist families with the expenses of relocating to their countries of origin; 7. Encourage Mexican cooperation with the process by inviting Mexican consulates throughout the United States to assist families returning to Mexico. Fortunately, Mexican dual-citizenship laws should allow the U.S.-born children of Mexican parents to apply for Mexican citizenship. If the Mexican government, under a new, anti-American administration, objects to the repatriation, it can recall its ambassador and close all its consulates. The hard part of any immigration reform will be the removal of families, especially children, from our communities. Yet deportation is essential--indeed, central--to any credible immigration policy, and it must be conducted as humanely as possible. Business lobbyists and ethnic activists won’t like it, but this really isn’t their country anyway.

Marek Suchenek wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:34 PM:As the number of illlegal aliens and their descendents increases, the number of those that are in favor of illegal immigration must increase as well. It would be interesting to know how many of these 47% of respondents that perceived illagal immigration as a net plus to economy were (former) illegal aliens or descendents of illegal aliens. I would hypothesize that a solid majority were. In other words, most of those who support illegal immigration are either (former) illegal aliens or childeren thereof, and their number grows rapidly, indeed.

Ace wrote on Mar 15, 2006 1:44 PM:Just what I thought, Dougie wants to deport all 10 million plus illegals in stroke of the pen. I must give you credit for at least articulating a comprehensive point of view. After reading much of the cyberbabble and extremist proposed solutions ... It appears from reading your post that you at least you starting to recognize that your sitting a ocean of xenophobes who would most likly be a danger to society if they ever left their trailers voted.

Doug wrote on Mar 15, 2006 3:41 PM:Actually, Ace, I was thinking that all 13 million should have the option of moving in with you.

dae wrote on Mar 15, 2006 6:08 PM:Along with the illegal aliens seems to be an increase in trash and liter on our road ways. Just an observation.

a_Mexicans_Opinion wrote on Mar 15, 2006 7:16 PM:Born and Raised in Mexico, still a citizen of Mexico and a green card holder, I was offered a job by a national hotel company in 1989 and crossed in to the US legally. Yet, I am completely opposed to illegal imigration. 1. It's a crime to cross into the US illegally just like it is a crime to do so in Mexico (usually for Central Americans) any central american that is caught crossing illegally into Mexico is deported back to their country of origin. Of course laws change in Mexico like people change their underwear, I am assuming this is still law unless some socialist "politico" has stirred the clueless masses into a frenzy. Regardless, this is typical of the mexican way of doing things, duplicity is the norm because, corruption and the influence of special interests at ALL levels of government from the Alcalde's all the way to the Presidente himself...getting off the track...my opinion is and has been since I was a child that illegal imigration has to be stopped on BOTH sides of the border...the US has to close the border and force people to use legal means of crossing the border including fingerprinting, biometrics and picture ID's, placing the military or reserves at the border and enforcing it's laws is the United States best chance for this long range goal to be achieved. Unfortunately in Mexico weak leadership and the unwillingnes to pursue this CRIME (as I said it is a CRIME in Mexico too! look it up!) is not only a SHAME but is aiding and abetting this illegal action and all of its consequences, including up to fostering crime, gang activity, prostitution, drug trafficking, murder and rape. Because of all Mexican politicans "blind eye" attitude towards this problem the only way any citizen of this country can feel secure about its border is with determined action and getting their own politicians to MOVE on this issue immediately. Imigration laws were set up not to bring a mass of uneducated, unskilled and unmotivated workers with deficient educations but instead to bring the BEST and BRIGHTEST to the US and make the US a much greater country than it already is...current illegal imigration is deteriorating public and state services, bleeding local and state cofers and increasing the daily living costs of people with a genuine reason for being in this country. Illegal imigrants are not the poor hapless and economically strapped indigents that they portray themselves to be, instead they are a group of opportunists who see the lack of vigilance and determination to enforce some basic tennents of the rules of LAW and decency. Very much like when some one sneaks into a a second showing at a movie theatre through the rear exit door after purchasing one movie ticket. It's high steak CHEATING of the worst sort and especially when things go deadly wrong...its typical to find illegal imigrants fight tooth and nail for their "rights" which is ridiculous because as non-citizens they under commom sense should have no RIGHTS! Criminals should be placed in Jail and be readied for processing to be deported like any and all common criminals. Illegal imigration makes all the efforts of those of us who did it legally seem like a meaningless excercise...what was the point of doing things the right way??? FMS

Ace wrote on Mar 15, 2006 7:57 PM:13 million?... are you sure its not 20 million? The way you throw the numbers around I'm not sure if I'll be able to accomodate all of them. On the other hand if they are working,using consumer goods and they pay to have a roof over their heads...maybe just maybe they are one one of the reasons for the sustainable economic growth you enjoy and of course have a roof over your head.

Martin wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:24 PM:I don't believe the poll. To many people have gone to the schools and seen illegal children being fed free meals (which I understand is necessary), get free education (some return to mexico daily), get pregnant in Mexico and come to the US to have their babies, through the babies many other members of the family are brought over, many illegals don't pay taxes yet they claim lots of benefits such as medicare, food stamps, etc, etc. Our politicians don't know what to do to solve these issues therefore we have 11 million ILLEGAL aliens which our taxes support. As a result of this many, many Americans have been victimized. The illegal aliens that do get caught committing crimes are returned to Mexico but usually come right back. Camacho is a good example of this. He returned three times, most likely thumbing his nose at the US government and laughing that they can't keep him out.

Richard wrote on Mar 15, 2006 10:17 PM:Who did he interview, Illegal Immigrants. His poll his nonsense without the details of the classes of individuals questioned.

Karen wrote on Mar 16, 2006 7:30 AM:Apparently Doug can't read. Most farmers like myself struggle to find legal workers. They are in very short supply. Which means a lot of work doesn't get done. Illegal aliens that want to work would be more than happy to cross legally, get a work permit, social security number etc. Farmers don't profit from illegal labor! What a stupid comment. We need legal labor and lot's of it. There are lines of people in front of the local market who I can't hire because they aren't legal.

Oside.Native wrote on Mar 16, 2006 8:00 AM:OF COURSE its beneficial to Calif.state economy, ( and the ENTIRE USA for that matter ) It is the cheapest labor around. Furthermore, for those Misinformed people that think illegals get something for Nothing, let me ask you : do you know how many illegals pay withholding tax on their paychecks and NEVER GET A REFUND.??( they can't apply for a Refund because they're Illegal) so this means FREE MONEY FOR CALIFORNIA ..DDDAAAAHHHHH.. thank you.

Vista res wrote on Mar 16, 2006 12:03 PM:Give me a break! How many illegal immigrants get paid on the books? Most if not virtually all get paid cash "under the table" therefore no withholding tax is ever paid. PLEASE!!!! Use your head, think about it! If they don't have a social security number to get a refund, then how could an employer withhold tax from them?

Bryan wrote on Mar 16, 2006 12:08 PM:Oside.Native - even if what you say is true (I doubt it though) what a bargain! I'd gladly trade my withholding tax for free medical care, food, housing, education for my children, etc. This one doesn't pass the giggle test.

Skip wrote on Mar 16, 2006 12:12 PM:I really think the USA needs to take care of it's own people first - the people that are citizens and are of course here legally instead of throwing billions of dollars to people that aren't ours.

Doug wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:49 PM:Karen, Doug reads just fine, it's just that I don't believe everything I read. Like illegal immigrants being responsible for the 'sustained economic growth we enjoy.' That's just more voodoo economics from Ace. Illegal immigrants don't 'pay their own way' any more than developers do. Both are HEAVILY subsidized by the taxpayer. And farmers don't profit from illegal labor? Give me a break. Over 90% of agricultural labor in SD County is illegal. And farmers aren't making a profit? I'm not totally unsympathetic to Karen's plight. It's just that farmers like Karen (and BS artists like Ace) don't see the bigger problems of massive poverty and failing schools and lousy health care that are all dumped into the taxpayer's lap through illegal immigration. The agricultural labor shortage won't be solved by letting more immigrants in. With 13 or 20 million (Ace's figure) of them illegally in the country now, how much improved would Karen's labor problem be if there were 30 million? The point is that very few migrants are interested in doing agricultural work. The vast majority of them would rather hang drywall or wash dishes or bus tables or trim lawns or sweep classrooms. For an agricultural guest-worker program that solves Karen's labor problem to work, all illegal immigrants must first be repatriated and rules put in place that guarantee they will return home when their permits have expired.

Ace wrote on Mar 17, 2006 7:57 AM:Tsk!-Tsk!TSK!...Dougie has now resorted to name calling "It's just that farmers like Karen (and BS artists like Ace)" Dougies using recycled statistics show how silly his sources of information really is including, trying to take my numbers out of context. Instead of a common sense approach to a complex issue like Mexican-Illegal immigration he and his ilk continue, to try and throw the baby out with the bath water. (Dougie, this means, your solutions only make thing worse) Ilegal immigration of our neighbors to the south when our neighbors to the north (35 million) continues to bring people in from all over the world in order to sustain their population while our own access to cheap labour has no easy answers for North America. Xenophobia and a lack of understanding by the run of the mill arm chair quarterbacks like Dougie only serves in spreading more misinformation about Mexicans and Mexican(hyphenated for Dougie Americans) There is a difference between workers and and those who don't contribute nothing. A one size fits all approach won't work IMO.

Karen wrote on Mar 17, 2006 1:01 PM:If we are so concerned about ethics and morality then why do we think being in a country illegally is OK? Until we learn to walk the talk, nothing will change.

Pam wrote on Mar 17, 2006 1:29 PM:The key words here are "citizens" and "legal". If I could recieve half of the benefits that these "illegals" are getting, I would not work, I would have great medical benefits for myself and my children and I would probably have a frig and pantry filled with great food...all compliments of the state!

KCSUSM wrote on Mar 17, 2006 2:30 PM:Did the Pilgrims have a visa?

Ed wrote on Mar 17, 2006 2:35 PM:Emotions will run high on the topic of illegal immigration, while the business community quietly and steadfastly lobbies the lawmakers to do another end-run to allow a foreign labor pool to enter America to benefit narrow private economic interests. I suggest readers immediately contact their political representatives to voice their opinions on this topic thereto. U. S. Senator Diane Feinstein has apparently sold out already to this narrow interest, on the false premise that American employers need foreign labor to fill jobs. The law of supply and demand would invoke if the lawmakers stopped American employers from hiring illegal aliens. American employers then would have to offer higher wages, improved benefits and better working conditions to attract American citizens to fill jobs once filled by illegal aliens. Again, I believe most Americans would gladly pay a little extra for goods and services if doing so meant the end of illegal immigration. In closing, I note that, expect for America, every modern country (including Mexico) requires a work permit to fill a job within its exterior boundaries. These countries do not let foreigners take jobs from their citizens. Why should America let it happen here?

bobby wrote on Mar 17, 2006 2:51 PM:If you think talking and talking about the evils that result from unscreened people coming across the borders you are deluded. Come to California and look for yourselves. Crime rampant,laws of every type, totally disregarded. Zoning laws,litter laws, business regulations,etc. all disregarded. Drive by shootings, rape, murder, stealing, illegitmacy of every type. The poll in the artilce is absolutely bogus. Any decent lawabiding citizens living in California for some time knows this poll is a farce. Yes I can assure you even people living here a long time who were originally from Mexico know the poll is a joke. The state of California is in a total state of decay.How do I know? Because many signs and symtoms in the state are the same as what Mexico has been like for as long as I can remember. I used to visit it with my father a long time ago and it was always the same. Totally corrupt.

wow wrote on Mar 17, 2006 3:59 PM:Can't we all just get along. Why don't we all just go back to where our ancestors origingated from. The illegals are doing the jobs you wouldn't even think of doing. Ever watch that movie “A Day Without a Mexican”? I'm not a preacher but I think God wouldn't like the hosility us human beings have towards ethnic group to another. Some americans are just as bad as the illegals, working under the table jobs, no auto insurance, no drivers license, in gangs,ect...

Sam wrote on Mar 17, 2006 5:02 PM:Poll is a LIE!!! Try to find the source on the Internet. - How do I know? Look at the wording very close. The poll, polls illegal aliens and non voters. That's right!- - Every title has been the same from all the news organizations: "Californians' Views on Illegal Immigration Softening" - The TRUTH is much different. If you look at the original "Field Poll" the title is, "GROWING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VOTERS AND NON-VOTERS ABOUT PERCEIVED IMPACT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE HAVING ON STATE" - And the numbers are a more striking difference of registered voters: "Effect of illegal immigrants on the state overall" - 57% Unfavorable 36% Favorable - That's right. If that was an election instead of the title of "softening" it would be a "resounding defeat." - Tricky isn't it? What's the motivation? It's anyone's guess. Bush was for soft immigration laws, now stronger. Hillary was stronger immigration laws as as a few days ago, very soft. - Who knows?

SpinDoc wrote on Mar 17, 2006 5:04 PM:Has anyone noticed the rise in gang activity and grafitti. As for the best and brightest coming across our borders...NOT. Many are criminals in their own country and use the States as an escape. Illegals take advantage of every loophole in our system -and most of them have figured out that getting paid under the table works well around tax time. Is this helping our economy? Our school struggle with teaching illegal offspring the english language ...and test scores suffer due language and other barriers. Our schools depend on consistant enrollment for funding and illegals don't provide that. As for the money they earn here ... alot of that is sent down South to support their families, which does not fuel our economy. There is a positive side to everything but there is also a reason for Calif. being so messed up economically ... other than high gas prices.

Friskey wrote on Mar 18, 2006 9:00 AM:We are a nation of immigrants. Not one of us, except maybe the sons and daughters of American Indians --- and even their forebears likely immigrated, came from somewhere else. We came for hope --- work, freedom, opportunity. Immigration is the foundation of our country. As each new wave has landed they take the lowest paying, most demeaning jobs. In doing so they elevate the last immigrant wave to the next rung up on the economic and social ladder. In effect, immigrants continue to float the economy in a rising tide. Ironically, each new wave is most vehemently villified by the last wave. So much so that we've passed laws that make immigration illegal. We point smugly to those lawbreakers now without ever considering that we made it here simply because nobody had yet made laws barring us. Do immigrants tax the healthcare system? Yes. Why? Because they are human, they get sick and seek help. The employers of landscapers, housecleaners and busboys and cooks do not typically offer --- for any price ---- health care insurance. Do immigrants fill the education system. Yes. They require education to be the contrubutors we need them to be. Do some stick to their cuture and langauge beyond what we consider reasonable. Yes. As they try and sometimes fail to assimilate here, they retain love of their home culture. We Americans have many lovely traits, but chief among the ugly, we sneer at cultures and languages that are not ours. Oddly though, even we we travel to other countries, we expect those people to speak OUR language. In this growing world our insistence on that "my way or the highway" mentality will succeed only on putting US on the highway. Immigration is illegal only because we've made it so. Therefore the entire moral argument that immigrants are ethically bankrupt because they cross the border is a construct of our own creation to bolster our sense of right. Immigration is illegal only because we try to slam the door shut behind us. Immigration is a uniquely American institution woven into the fabric of our culture. It is fact. It will continue to be a fact, wave after wave, for as long as we are a world power with the promise of hope and opportunity. Embrace it, or be bowled over by it. It's your choice.

Rob wrote on Mar 18, 2006 7:01 PM:What are you talking about Friskey? Our laws don't make immigration illegal. Our laws make illegal immigration illegal. Get a clue. All of you who bring up the pilgrims and native americans as examples are ridiculous. When the plgrims came here there were no laws in place controlling immigration because there was no established country. Every one of you who believes in illegal, not legal immigration, have no idea of what you are talking about. Start reading about the new Dutch laws on immigration, in a country where they welcomed every non dutch speaking immigrant into their country, they are paying the price now. These p