Legal immigrant wrote on Sep 23, 2006 6:33 PM:As a LEGAL immigrant I can tell you that this issue is not about race. It is about fairness and assimilation. If you come to this country and are unwilling to immerse yourself in the culture and language of America, you will always be an outsider. No one says that you should forget your heritage or abandon feelings for your country of origin, but if you wish to come here, do it legally and be respectful of your new hosts. You are now a part of the most wonderfull country in the world, the U.S.A.! If you come here illegally and choose to ignore the laws of the land and be disrespectfull to it's people, how can you then demand respect and rights under laws that you pick and choose to obey? It's not unlike breaking into your neighbors house because it is nicer, and then demanding rights to whatever is in the refridgerator and jewelry box, and then refusing to leave and calling the people that own the house bad names like racists. You can not break into a country and then consider yourself a victim. You chose these actions. This is very frustrating to me. People call other people names because they lack a solid argument for debate. I think that a lot of illegal immigrants are hatefull, and show a lack of appreciation for what they have taken from America. I appreciate every day here and I thank all of my fellow legal citizens for their kind assistance in aiding me to assimilate into the most wonderfull place on earth. Thank you

To Legal Immigrant wrote on Sep 23, 2006 7:14 PM:Legal Immigrant, Welcome! You sound like a wonderful addition to our country. The article above is very enlightening about our immigration past. It does skip one important period, however. President Eisenhower successfully rounded up and deported illegal aliens, against the strong objection of Lyndon Johnson of Texas. Eisenhower felt that allowing people to remain here illegally would be a drain on the morals of America. If a person is not here legally, then how is that person going to feel about upholding other US laws and rules?

Harry wrote on Sep 23, 2006 7:33 PM:Legal Immigrant's comments are heart warming and much appreciated. I also think that the editorial provides a great deal of historical perspective and shows how the immigration laws on the books have been written to express the racist attitudes of the times in which they were written. It is interesting that in 1889 the description of the immigrants of that time from Italy and Sicily and from eastern european countries sound like some of the racist remarks about Mexicans. " They have proven a lawless, turbulent class. ... Many are of a very low order of intelligence ... and come here with no intention of becoming citizens." It would be wonderful if a comprehensive immigration reform bill could be written to address all the issues in a way that addresses our need for labor, protects wages and jobs, and guards against terrorism and protects against health concerns such as TB. To do that would require more than the racist demoguery of this past Congress.

Corporate Indentured Servants wrote on Sep 24, 2006 12:04 PM:It would seem that since the end of slavery, American business interests and corporations have used an immigrant population to pay less than a living wage, avoid taxes and maintain the poverty level. It is time for us as a nation to say that practice is unacceptable. Congress avoids addressing the enforcement of laws already enacted that prohibit employers from hiring illegals. In CA, it happens to be largely those of Hispanic origin, in the Northeast it is Asians working in the garment district and in the South it is Jamacians and Dominicans. Legal immigrant is correct, it is not necessarily about race, it is about American business conducting operations without exploitation, without paying their fair share of taxes and about breaking laws that are not enforced. Of course those who followed the laws to enter the country legally, jumped through all of the hoops to become legal residents are outraged that those who didn't, could be granted amnesty. The issue is more complex than predjudices can explain away today. It comes down to real money taxpayers pay for the services used by illegals of all races such as, education, health care and social services. While the quality of and access to those services for taxpayers is poor and difficult at best, those who are in the country illegally, not paying for those services, have easy access without contributing. Corporations have to stop rewarding their shareholders, CEO's with huge salaries and padding their profits at the expense of the American taxpayer.

Kerry wrote on Sep 24, 2006 12:12 PM:The article also fails to mention that Congress restricted immigration from Western Europe in 1925, which gave rise to the American middle class. To say that no one will have racist ideas is untrue for sure, but to say all immigration policies that are restrictive are racist is ridiculous. The U.S. has a right to have a border and immigration laws that are fair to the existing citizens, that discourage abuse from non-citizens on social programs,and keeps criminals and terrorists out. If that is offensive, too bad.

USS wrote on Sep 24, 2006 12:19 PM:I have to admit, Legal...you ARE in the extreme minority, but your comments are appreciated. If ALL who came here would get INTO the life, culture and WAY...there would BE no issues. Living in a foreign society, but going AGAINST the grain of that (or any) society, IS a hard road. Lawlessness, bitterness and frustration tend to follow...it takes ALOT of energy to constantly FIGHT a system, but growth and intelligence come with trying to get along. Why fight hard to stay poor, ignorant and struggling by either economic, social, or intellectual standards?

David wrote on Sep 24, 2006 1:52 PM:It will continue to be about race as long as Edward Sifuentes, the NCT's, and the Tina Jillings of the world can use it to make a buck.

What's the Difference wrote on Sep 25, 2006 5:03 AM:Legal or illegal,none of them should be here. We have our own to worry about without half of the third world within our borders.

Has anyone else noticed? wrote on Sep 25, 2006 6:44 AM:It is always people with Hispanic surnames that say it is racist to want to secure our borders? What is racist about being taxed to death to support ILLEGAL ALIENS, educated their children and subsidize their inability to clothe, house and feed their ILLEGAL families? It is economics.

Tired of Illegals wrote on Sep 25, 2006 12:25 PM:David is right!

Legal wrote on Sep 25, 2006 1:42 PM:Whatever we want to say about our long immigration history, the fact is the levels of ILLEGAL immigration over the past 20 years is unprecedented. Those in favor of ILLEGAL immigration are on the wrong legal side of the argument and throw out the race card to discredit those who favor law enforcement. They also are careful to lump ILLEGAL immigrants together with legal immigrants, and accuse those who favor law enforcement as being anti-IMMIGRANT. All to obscure the real issue: ILLEGAL immigration. Few Americans have a problem with LEGAL immigrants. After all, we are a largely a nation of LEGAL immigrants and their descendents. LEGAL immigrants made this nation great, and continue to make positive contributions to our society. ILLEGAL immigrants are destroying our environment and moral fabric, draining our goverment treasuries, raising our crime rates and gang problems, and ruining our public schools. Americans have every right to insist that immigrants enter our country on our terms (LEGALLY), learn our customs and language, and assimilate, as our parents and grandparents did.

Larry wrote on Sep 25, 2006 8:58 PM:Our Neighbor is not going to stop the flow of USA Dollars into their treasury from those here sending money there. It is the third highest economic industry for them. And when that country's economy collapses, they all are going to flee to the USA. Even the X-Pres may want to come here with his airplanes full of "luggage".

Harry wrote on Sep 26, 2006 8:11 AM:I don't know anyone who is "in favor" or "on the side of" Illegal Immigration. I know many Americans who want the laws of this country revised so that illegal status isnt the only alternative for so many

Legal wrote on Sep 26, 2006 1:07 PM:Sure, there are plenty of Americans who want illegal immigrants legalized. Our country legalized 3 million illegal immigrants through legislation passed in 1986. What did we get for our generosity? At least 11 million more low-skilled illegal immigrants (we can't possibly count them all), many figuring they too would eventually gain amnesty. In 1986, Americans were promised border security and a crackdown on employers of illegal labor. This never happened. So people continued to stream across our borders and employers continued to hire them at bargain wage levels. The companies hiring them and catering to them have profited while the costs for health and education for their families have been passed on to the local taxpayer. So look around; there are plenty of powerful folks who FAVOR illegal immigration: those who are hiring the illegals at depressed wages to gain a competitive advantage, and those who sell services to them like First Data and immigration lawyers. American taxpayers have learned one thing from the 1986 amnesty: secure the borders first BEFORE granting amnesty. We don't need to import unlimited amounts of poverty, illiteracy, disease, criminal gangs, and drugs. Such are the byproducts of allowing people to bypass our immigration and customs rules by sneaking across our borders.

AntiTerrorist wrote on Sep 26, 2006 4:45 PM:In this age of terrorism aimed at the United States, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the millions of people in this country illegally. They have not sworn allegiance to the United States. We don't know their individual names or motivations for coming here. There is nothing racist about preventing a terrorist from crossing the border with materials for a nuclear or biological attack. How many terrorists have already slipped across our porous borders and are quietly plotting a coordinated attack? An immigration system without secure borders is a joke at best, and possibly national suicide.

Racist? wrote on Sep 27, 2006 1:22 PM:I never thought of it as a race issue, until the illegals and their activist starting screaming racist in our faces. Hmm...I guess they don't consider La Raza racist do they?

native man wrote on Sep 27, 2006 9:27 PM:As a Native American I would like to ask all you illegals of European descent to leave our land. Get back on the Mayflower and go. I don't care where. You have raped, killed and enslaved innocent people for hundreds of years. You and your ancestors are criminals and I would like you to leave our land. We have been here longer than anyone. Your roots are not here but in Europe therefore you should leave. Thank You.

Sam wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:16 AM:If we take away all the illegal immigrants in this country, our economy will stall. And our congress knows this, therefore there are many lawmakers who favor legalizing the illegals even though they have knowingly broke the law. I understand many of us believe illegal is illegal, they should not be rewarded for breaking our law. And it's true. But from a realisitic point of view, the best thing we can do now is securing our boarder first, then identify those who are already here, and provide an oppotunity for them to become part of the society. If a legal path is not provided, no illegals would come possibly come forward. And this issue can never be resolved. I used to work in few Chinese take-out restaurants in NYC back in high school. And I've noticed almost all workers in there are without legal status. It's obviously the government is aware of it, but if they decide to take them all out, who is going to make the $3.75 Beef w/ broccoli and deliver to your door? And not only in Chinese restaurants, Mexican or even American restaurants are predominantly filled with illegal work force. I think the government just can't afford to round them all up, otherwise the city's economy would stall. This is just one of the examples of how complicated the illegal immigration issue is in our country. I also believe not all 12 million illegals are low-skilled, low intelligence criminals. For example, there are many children of illegal immigrants who were brought here at a young age, raised and educated in the U.S, speak English as their first language, yet they are still not allowed to contribute to the society due to lack of legal status. If thses young, bright, educated students are not allowed to participate in the system, our society is at loss as well. I really hope the congress as well as the public would be realistic yet compassionate in resolving this tough issue.

Jill wrote on Sep 28, 2006 7:33 AM:From article: "...those arguing for more restrictive immigration policies usually preface their assertions by saying that they are not motivated by race or ethnicity. ...." Our species is predatory, by nature. We all, (unless we belong to a subjugated race), are racially conscious and openly promote our ethnic interests. This book review helped sway my thinking on how our predatory species makes decisions. The Demographic Struggle for Power: The Political Economy of Demographic Engineering in the Modern World From review: "The Demographic Struggle for Power is one of the most straightforward and factual accounts now available of how ethnic animosity creates conflict and violence. In a study that focuses on the Balkans but covers all parts of the world, Prof. Bookman takes for granted a central fact of human nature that multi-racial dreamers ignore: Ethnic identity and the desire to preserve it are among the most powerful forces on earth. Perhaps because she is a Slav, Prof. Bookman does not find it necessary to account for group consciousness or to apologize for it. Her purpose is merely to catalogue the policies to which it gives rise." ...

Jorge wrote on Sep 28, 2006 7:58 AM:Sure thing native man. Just as soon as you and your decendents wander back across the Bering Strait to your home lands. And thank you

Legal wrote on Sep 28, 2006 8:08 AM:Oops, I'm not Legal after all, according to native man. My Swedish grandparents never raped, killed, or enslaved anyone after arriving by ship on Ellis Island. Nevertheless, I am guilty by association, so just disregard my previous posts and kindly let me know where the Mayflower is docked. Do the local casinos sell Mayflower tickets?

Nick wrote on Sep 28, 2006 8:55 AM:As a card carrying Native American, I can assure you that native man does not speak for all of us. If you are really a Native American, do something to help your people and get over the past. If you really want 30 MILLION people here from south of the border, you should just move to Mexico.

TO NATIVE MAN wrote on Sep 28, 2006 9:27 AM:What do you think would happen if all of the Europeans got back on the Mayflower and went back to Europe? I mean, get real. The economy would tank, you wouldn't have the tax revenue of the middle class to support anything. Are you really that naive or uneducated?

Give me a Chance! wrote on Sep 28, 2006 1:24 PM:I agree w/ Sam, not all "Illegals" are low-skilled, low intelligence crimanls. And not all "Illegals" are from Mexico. I was brought here by my parents when I was very young from India. Due to the complications in the Immigration System my parents case is currently pending and my siblings and I are now considered "Illegal". Although we are granted a work permit to LEGALLY work in this country, it is not always a guarantee that the permit will renew. I am not undocumented as the US Govt knows every detail about my family and I. My whole family works hard, pay our taxes and contributes to the community. We are not on any government benefits nor can we expect any with our current status. My siblings and I were top of our classes. I have my bachelors and both my siblings are currently pursuing further studies in the medical profession. Why? To support this community. We do not favor an open border nor a general amensty to every "Illegal" person present in this country. But WE DO SUPPORT a comprehenive reform that gives people like us a chance to continue our lives here. Agreed that this Country should not award illegal behavior. But look at what this Country will lose if we do not pass a fair reform.

To Native Man wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:45 PM:If we all left, who would support your casinos?

native man wrote on Sep 29, 2006 12:26 PM:We don't need you anymore we have asian money that pumps up our casinos. You are useless now. Unneccesary, superflous, etc.. So leave our land. You've done enough damage to the environment also. Thank You.

I think its Iraq not illegal immigration wrote on Sep 29, 2006 2:35 PM:Iraq war, which is costing about $8 billion a month. What part of scapegoat do you not understand.

To To Native Man wrote on Sep 29, 2006 2:48 PM:The ecomony would tank if all the "illegal immigrants" left also. Finally someone who is willing to face reality.

Oh Please Nick wrote on Sep 29, 2006 2:50 PM:Two weeks ago there were supposedly 11-12 million illegals, last week the number jumped to 20 million now according to you there are 30 million. We should probably go and take over some more of Mexico since it is now vacant land because the entire population is here in the U.S.

To give me a chance wrote on Sep 29, 2006 2:52 PM:Go home!!!

DMann wrote on Sep 29, 2006 6:20 PM:Face it people. Illegals from every country, not just Mexico, have had a free ride for over 30 yrs with our own government not enforcing the laws we already have in place. Nothing is gonna change. With so many illegals already here raising families over thoose 30 yrs they now have a strong base. These people dont want to stand by America. They want to do whats right for them & thier people. Here isn Southern CA, that is primarily latinos. And with that base, when we finally decide we need to close our borders, they have a very large protest group already here. Again that is because our own government has allowed it at the American taxpayers expense for so long. And its not even strange that latinos are the only ones protesting, since closing our borders would affect all illegals from every country, but the lations have been on the gravey train the longest, so its only common logic that they would be pisssed they may have to right thier own countries problems & stop leetching of the American taxpayer. We even have mayors in AMERICAN cities both in Texas & here in Southern CA that have proclaimed thier cities are safe havens for illegals & that they wont help deter or remove illegals, basicly they are now cities of Mexico. So get use to it America, its only gonna get worse. More illegals will come from everywhere & as the bottom of the barrel American taxpayers we are always gonna be gouged to pay for those who shouldnt be here. Nothing will change, and if yyou think it will you are either overly optomistic or naive. We are doomed. Our own government will NEVER face the issue & we will be invaded by illegals from every country not wanting to be Americans mind you, they just want everything they can get from us. It is what it is so deal with it & if your here in So Cal you better learn spanish & learn the Mexican national anthem. Viva la Mexico, Americas Master.

Matt wrote on May 14, 2007 5:55 PM:I apologize if someone has already commented on some of which I intend to discuss, as well as the much delayed timing on this reply... I simply hope I can shed some light on a variety of spectrums of thought... First, please take a look at the US Naturalization web-page, read all the details and timing issues carefully... it takes a long time... that said, it's a darn tough procedure to get fully through... not too tough, however, if you have the dream of being an American citizen as the very first respondent had... HOWEVER, the foremost reason for immigration is simply temporary economic migration from the Mexican economy. Why is their economy bad? NO, IT's NOT NAFTA... if fact in theory it would be sensational... however, through subsidies and funding of industries which would thrive in Mexico, providing the employment of comparative advantage to them and all. That said, the complete corruption of the entire Mexican Government and lack of legal/enforcement prevent large companies, from considering it. That said, agriculture is probably their greatest competitive advantage... and we wonder why farming is the greatest arena of work desired by illegal immigrants. Our US Economic Policies, subsidies, etc. have been distributed in terrible fashion, mainly with concerns for political allies as opposed to efficiency (as a highly regulated "open market" emphasizes). Immigration is linked to economic condition, in both nations... that said, without addressing the economic issues at hand we will never find an answer... and I'm talking moreso about Mexican politics and financial corruption... any country with 98% of it's wealth lies in the hands on less than 1% of the population is clearly disorganized and destin for trouble. The answer lies in the US dissolving policies that look to "keep Agriculture in America" and grow with the times of an expanding world market... if we would like to see prices of products stay relative to the current, that is the only way, as no one can afford to pay "American Citizen" wages and place them on the market for the same price... people don't come here to nuke the services of American life so much as they do to make money and send it home... most want to stay in Mexico, but financial situation forces them to do otherwise... I'd be running to hop the fence too if I were there... they're just trying to do the best they can to help their families, "pulling themselves up by their boot-straps in the only way they are able" one might say. It's by no means an easy process, and not everyone can come... this is a Mexico Gov. problem that we must take action in aiding, both with our econ policy and their legal scenarios... no more political slapping on the back... life is competitive and not fair, no one should get anything for free, and these immigrants don't expect it... it's those in the US who fail to understand that if they want a job, they need work harder... for Mexican Immigrants are willing to take a bullet for their job.