Carter: wrote on Feb 26, 2007 9:28 PM: Who is talking about immigrants? Let us talk about illegal aliens. I have read many times that over 30% of the inmates in CA prisons are illegals. You people talk out of the side of your mouth with a forked tongue.

Funny Thing.. wrote on Feb 26, 2007 9:31 PM:They didn't count the law violation that they entered the US "IllegallY"???

I agree wrote on Feb 26, 2007 9:56 PM:The title says it all. Immigrants generally are law-abiding and want to do the right thing. NOW, illegal immigrants don't give a rats behind. Funny how forgetting one word changes the context, illegal is illegal.

Skip wrote on Feb 26, 2007 10:08 PM:Look at any top 10 wanted List for just about any major city in the United States, and you tell me what it means. I am not saying they are all Illegal Aliens, but there sure seems to be a lot of Hispanic Surnames. May I suggest Escondido PD Top 10 List, or the Los Angeles Top 100 List, for starters? Try the Megan's law database for San Diego. And while you are at it: Remember that most all of the gangs in Southern California are about 75% Hispanic. When this story talks about Immigrants, I will assume them to be the Illegal Alien type. Check out the crime statistics for San Bernardino County.

Mary wrote on Feb 26, 2007 10:52 PM:Article is nonsense. The latest crime figures released by the FBI show a 2.5 percent increase in violent crime and a whopping 5 percent increase in homicides nationwide. Go to www.fbi.gov, click the link for press releases, look in the 2006 press release archives for a document with the numbers. Open borders propaganda in the extreme.

Syl wrote on Feb 26, 2007 11:28 PM:How many Hit-And-Run accidents in Escondido last year? How many uninsured and unlicensed motorists in North County?

Syl wrote on Feb 26, 2007 11:29 PM:Is Identidy Theft, and fraudulent use of a Social Security Number considered a crime? How about working under the table and not reporting income taxes?

one can count on Skippy wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:43 AM:Love how SKip ALWAYS thinks every Hispanic is an illegal alien AND thinks every criminal is Hispanic, and by his "logic" every Hispanic is an illegal alien. Hmm ... sounds like some racist thinkin' there Skippy. That's like assuming every black person is a criminal b/c there might be a few on some crime top ten list. Let's just ignore the white guys? Every time there is someone with a Hispanic last name criminal (or heck even an un-named criminal) he always says "bet he's an illegal alien!!" Just not right, my friend. You see all Hispanics as illegal aliens AND see all Hispanics as criminals. Prolly thinks I'm Hispanic too since I am calling him out. Hate to burst your racist bubble, but I'm a 30-year-old white person. Think about your fuzzy logic and its racist leanings.

missing reality in the paper wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:06 AM:It's not perception that illegal aliens cause the high percentage of crimes. What's the first thing they do when they walk in our country? They break a federal law!!! And don't tell me it stops there.

Mimi wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:13 AM:I agree with the popular opinion, the operating word is illegal not immigrant.

lol wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:32 AM:you see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear. aliens are immigrants.

kc wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:53 AM:Nice try, but we are smarter than you think. A crime is a crime. But when its committed by a someone illegally in this country, it is so much more repulsive. Like the pervert in Fla who tried to snatch the 13 year old, the PB peeper, the gangs, the murdered cops, and on and on. Those stories are only the ones making it into the news. So much more is conveniently not reported. But stories like this in an attempt to say " see its not so bad" are irresponsible.

Peter wrote on Feb 27, 2007 5:37 AM:Crime follows poverty no matter what your status is as an immigrant, citizen or what race you are. When people are down on their luck the worst in them is more likely to come out.

Roberto wrote on Feb 27, 2007 5:57 AM:You would have to expect that NCT would give this report front page coverage. Of course the report includes legal and illegal immigrants stating that they were not able to distinguish between the two. Isn’t it funny how everyone else can; particularly when the focus of those opposing illegal immigration has always been on the illegal immigrant and not the legal immigrant. The problem for Mr. Sifuentes and Mr. Flores as well as the writers of this report is that they know that they can not justify the illegal immigrant’s criminal actions without trying to conclude that the legal immigrants and the illegal immigrants are one in the same; they are not. There is a good letter in the paper today concerning the bias of this paper toward the illegal immigrants. Isn’t it fitting that they print a front page article that proves that bias beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is a difference between legal and illegal immigrants Mr. Sifuentes. Regardless of your inaccurate, false portrayal of those opposing illegal immigration no one has anything against and in fact welcomes legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are criminals Mr. Sifuentes, almost as bad as the criminal neglect of this paper to accurately reflect that fact.

Logical Ron wrote on Feb 27, 2007 6:29 AM:I think Edward Sifuentes, Ruben Rumbaut and Walter Ewing have forgotten, either conveinently or by mistake, these are "reported crimes." Without getting into how police departments are "reporting" crimes to show improvement for political reasons. Most illegal aliens do not report crimes because they do not want to draw attention to themselves because of their status, and a fear of deportation. It has long been reported by Border Control, that illegals converge with drug smuggling Mexicans who either use them to mule drugs, or rip them off and leave them to die in the deserts. And it just gets worse from there. Once inside the United States, they must get an fake or stolen social security number to work, at that point, again, they meet with criminal elements. And because of their status, and unwillingness to report crimes, they are repeat victims by predatory illegals, and Americans. Secondly, when did "sociology" become an irrefutable science? It has long been known in sociological academic circles their data is always colored by their preconceptions. This is another myth by these authors Ruben Rumbaut and Walter Ewing's "empirical data." How can the data be irrefutable when the census data does not ask what the legal status of the polled? Thirdly, it would have been a nice piece of information for Mr. Sifuentes to include that the Immigration Policy Center is pro-comprehensive reform. In short, they are open borders advocates. I think that is a very valuable bit of information, for the reader to decide, conveniently left out by Mr. Sifuentes to shade this article, as he is also an open border advocate, disguised as a journalist.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:15 AM:As Skip mentioned, many of our county's dangerous criminals have Latino surnames. The statistics prove that Latinos commit a disproportionate amount of crime in relation the the entire popultation as a whole. For anyone who has studied statistics, knows this. If you have X number of Latinos in our community, a safe bet they'd commit Y crime in proportion to their population. But instead, they commit Y+ (more than their fair share). And if you look at our jail population and the "MOST WANTED" in any major California city, you'll see Latino surnames as the predominate culprits to most of our serious offenses.

Hey Carter wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:18 AM:You can read all kinds of false information on the internet. I am no mainstream media fan, but at least they do not outright lie in the newspaper. You are a typical American who rails against any news you do not agree with, but you embrace any tall tale you read on the internet as long as it supports your position. GET OBJECTIVE PEOPLE, not everything you beleive is true.

Jason wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:24 AM: It depends on what the meaning of the word is, is according to Billy. So the illegals are not committing the crimes their kids are. Wow what a revelation!!!

Ray wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:37 AM:Just like the researcher says, emotions drive this "Puritan Americans" rather than proper statistics.

Craig wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:50 AM:Let's look at the author of this article and the group that did the study, "immigrant rights group". Gee, I wonder if there is any bias? Any crimes committed by ILLEGAL aliens should not be committed at all because they shouldn't be in the country to begin with. Besides crime, I as a concerned citizen, am also troubled by the free medical benefits, free education and jobs being taken by the ILLEGALS.

allen wrote on Feb 27, 2007 7:50 AM:The study was funded by an "immigrants right group". Would we expect any other conclusion?

Blind to Crime wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:00 AM:It is a federal crime to harbor or illegal aliens. 8 USC 1324. The courts have said that to 'harbor' means to 'afford shelter'. Just because ICE and and the US Attorney ignores these crimes by landlords does not mean they to do occur!

Brings them all out wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:13 AM:This article, based on blog responses to date has brought out only the pathetic, self-loathing, xenophobic, riff-raff the whole immigration (legal or illegal)topic always inspires. They hate it when one of their myths are destroyed, and bury their heads further in the sand (or further up a part of their lower anatomy), claiming it ain't so. They want only bad news to justify their jaded beliefs.

Waht about non-violent crimes? wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:16 AM:The study is rubbish. As pointed out by others, it doesn't discriminate between illegal and legal immigrants. What about the crime of illegally coming into the country? How about stealing school and health care funding from local communities? What about the extra law-enforcement that's required? This study is just blatant propaganda.

Hey Jose wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:22 AM:The authors, sociologists Ruben Rumbaut and Walter Ewing, (Rumbaut, a professor of sociology at UC Irvine) appear to have a close connection with the news reports who favor a story like this. This is not the first time in recent months that their names appear favoring illegal immigrant issues The story (I call it a story because articles are fact and not slanted by sociologist's opinions) sounds like both sides are using flawed data. I tend to side with those who simply watch the sir names of the criminals. In recent years the names are more likely to be Hispanic, but that could be because the Hispanics are, or becoming, the majority.

Latina Grandma wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:27 AM:Mr Sifuentes... I don't believe everyone is complaining about legal immigrants. It is illegal. What is it that you do not understand about illegal? I think you write this information to get us riled. I hate crime but I guess because I live in this country I have no choice but to support "legal" criminals in prison but I 'DO NOT" have to support illegal criminals. The illegal that killed the girl in Ramona is getting 2o years. Who do you think is going to support him for 20 years and who paid he court cost? Just by being here "illegally" is a crime. So technically ALL illegals have committed a crime. That is 100%.

Margo wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:38 AM:Of course a study conducted by an immigrant rights group would reveal this data. That's pretty self serving. Whether it is the immigrants or the children of the immigrants it still begins with the immigrants themselves. They are still the problem.

KenBone wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:38 AM:YEah, and look who is sponsoring the "study." Every ILLEGAL ALIEN in this country is committing a crime by his/her mere presence. Did they count THAT in their stats? First, let's clear out ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS, then let's see what happens to the crime rates! Si Si Si!!

El Guero wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:42 AM:According to this report, 'One of the key findings the study cites is that...the children of immigrants tend to have higher incarceration rates than their parents.' Steven Camarota agrees: 'I think it's probably correct that the foreign-born are less likely to commit crimes, but it's the children of illegal immigrants who are likely to commit more crimes, not the illegal immigrants themselves.' This seems to jibe with what reporter Ed Sifuentes found when he examined the low rates of voter participation by Latinos in Vista which was the basis for an investigation by the Department of Justice in 2004. The feds were looking for violations of the Voting Rights Act, but didn't find any. Rather, as reported by Sifuentes, it turns out that Latino (mostly Mexican) immigrants were: 1) not citizens and so were ineligible to vote; 2) were too busy trying to make ends meet to involve themselves in politics, and; 3) did not see any use in doing so, since where they come from voting has never changed anything. The parents are too busy working to commit crimes; but the children who drop out of school and join gangs aren't. So this 'study' itself dispells no 'myths.' Rather, it cherry-picks data to reach a self-serving conclusion. Hey, where's that immigration attorney--Kevin something--who writes occasional letters to the editor? I'll bet he's eating this stuff up with a spoon.

Shadow World wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:42 AM:The criteria for being an illegal is a demonstrated disregard for our laws. This is compounded by repeated experiences of getting away with breaking the law by driving without a liscence,working without a valid social security number and by associating with criminals and felons as part of living in the shadow world of the illegal. I believe the stats on ILLEGAL immigrants would be a much much higher proportion.

Key here wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:47 AM:The key here is that many, but not all crimes are committed by ILLEGAL Aliens. Stop using the term immigrant. Immigrants are not the problem! NCT consistantly keeps using the term immigrant. That is a slap in the face. Illegal Alien and immigrant are NOT the same thing by any stretch.

Bob wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:53 AM:As Mark Twain said, apparently not often enough: "There are liars, damn liars and statistics." I'll stick with the "Myth" of reality.

Robert wrote on Feb 27, 2007 9:29 AM:You would think that Edward Sifuentes would know the difference between Immigrants and Illegal Aliens by now, or is just another story that blurs the difference, and portrays everyone as Hispanics?

Ingrid wrote on Feb 27, 2007 9:32 AM:The study is flawed if it is based on on 2000 Census information. For one thing illegal Aliens do not like to respond to surveys and be counted, and another thing is that there are probably another 10 million illegal Aliens here in this country since the year 2000. That 6,000 people sneaking over our borders every day adds up fast.

Let's Try Reality wrote on Feb 27, 2007 9:40 AM:Here's one basic fact: EVERY crime committed by an illegal alien is a crime that would not have been committed here if he or she wasn't in the country. So, by definition, increasing the rate of illegal immigration increases the number of crimes. Simple logic to all but the 'open borders' crowd.

Spinning Statistics wrote on Feb 27, 2007 10:08 AM:The study does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. We already know how difficult it is to find and accurately count illegal aliens because the census bureau cannot even do it. They are attempting to get an accurate count in the prision system just in San Diego county, but blame recordkeeping problems for inaccurate results. Net result, the study is not based on accurate information and therefore the results cannot be accurate. Moreover, because the researchers did not separate illegal from legal immigrant populations, we glean little information about who is committing crime within the immigrant community. It becomes another spin story aimed at convincing taxpaying Americans that the illegal portion of immigration should not be separated from the legal immigrants when analyzing crime. But, they should be separately analyzed because legal immigrants did not break the law to enter the country while illegal immigrants did. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

Ivory tower-double talk rant- wrote on Feb 27, 2007 10:16 AM:The guys that did the study should get out of the ivory tower and go to work as a corrections officer in our jails or prisons. Look at the FBI most wanted list and make an "educated guess" it will be more accurate than the study done in the fairy land ivory tower by educated idiots! We are a country of immigrants, so what are they talking about! Illegals aliens are not immigrants -illegal aliens are criminals, so stop misleading people by calling them immigrants. Your credibilty is zero, and us common folk in the real world are not awed by your credentials.

Jeff wrote on Feb 27, 2007 10:35 AM:The destitute illegal immigrants are less of a problem than their "legal" children who often become gang members.

just move wrote on Feb 27, 2007 11:19 AM:if you cant handle it cause you not down with the brown than move out of cali cause we mobbin deep!!Via Mexico!! We just taking over what this srry govenment dont want know more and they know they cant stop the BROWN PRIDE!!! I cant wait till cali is 100% brown!!!!

morty wrote on Feb 27, 2007 11:27 AM:hey white 30 yr. guy.who is PROLLY?? I NEVER READ HIS NAME ON HERE. JUST CHECKING ON ALL THE FUN TO READ BLOGS.SO SKIP I LIKE YOUR NAME.KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

Mike wrote on Feb 27, 2007 11:31 AM:No one is saying that immigrants are causing higher crime rates. The problem has never been imigrants. It is ILLEGAL immigrants. Many come here to make money. Legal immigrants come here for a better life. Your story is not fit for print. Run a story about Illegal immigrant crime and we may see a topic worthy of discussion.

Bob wrote on Feb 27, 2007 11:37 AM:Wow...talk about misleading, but then again, look who wrote the article. Our good buddy and ILLEGAL ALIEN sympathizer, Edward "La Raza" Sifuentes. We all fall into the immigrant category, unless of course, you're a Native American. What Sifuentes fails to mention is that each and every ILLEGAL ALIEN is a criminal for entering this country ILLEGALLY! Hence the term ILLEGAL ALIEN! Someone pull the credentials on this so-called "journalist."

Ed wrote on Feb 27, 2007 11:42 AM:"Brown pride"? Don't make me laugh! All you're doing is exporting your Tijuana slums and Third-World squalor to the Southwest. Why don't you people do something positive for a change.

turandot wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:00 PM:Racist nonsense that immigrants commit a large percentage of crimes. Truth is they are mostly under the radar and want to stay out of trouble and avoid deportation. Most are timid and easily intimidated by bullies. Out of 12 million Latino immigrants, a few have committed crimes. Most do not. Many who preach hate employ "illegal" immigrants to do their yard work and clean their house. Hypocricy.

Jackson wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:01 PM:It amazes me that an Immigrant rights group would come out with stats that show that most crimes aren't committed by immigrants. Imagine that! I bet they could come up with a way of scewing numbers to try to convince you that the majority of vehicles on the roads only have 3 tires as well.

RJ wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:18 PM:From the Urban Dictionary. mobbin: Verb. When a large group of people qiuckly walks, runs, or drives somewhere. to quote Just Move "I cant wait till cali is 100% brown!!!!" It drives me crazy when someone makes such an overtly racist statement. If I were to make the statement "I can't wait till cali is 100% white!!!!", the NC Times probably wouldn't print it, and if they did I would probably be tarred and feathered and run out of town.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:26 PM:I think we can all see that Edward Sifuentes’ articles always seem present us stories on illegal aliens in order to “soften the blow” they have on our society and to convince us all that illegal immigration isn’t a bad thing. As one person put it, illegal aliens are oftentimes here for a job. Ok, I’ll buy that. But what transpires afterwards is what is disturbing and isn't addressed in any reports. Aside from the impact illegal aliens have on our social welfare and healthcare systems, the children of illegal aliens are the biggest problem when it comes to crime, because they’re more likely to join gangs and commit serious and violent offenses. Why? There are many sociological explanations, but one key reason is that the children of illegal immigrants do poorly in school and do not assimilate into our culture in a positive way. These children learn the values of their parents, most of which is a direct reflection of where they come from; primarily Mexico, but other Latin American countries, such as El Salvador, Honduras, as well. Crime in these countries is abysmal and it’s a natural part of existence in these countries. If anyone wants a better look at “who” is committing violent crime here in Southern California, just go to any “most wanted” link on just about any law enforcement website and the evidence disproving any so-called “reports” or statistics involving illegal immigrants (or Latinos) is there to see.

DW wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:54 PM:Why is this Jr. High type newspaper article on the front page. This is an editorial or opinion. It is written by a pro-illegal "journalist" if you want to call him that, skewing stats from a pro-illegal group. NCT-JOKE!

Peter wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:56 PM:Another article that is either poorly written or intentionally biased, I know which one I think it is. Even not using the point that all illegals have broken US law by being here, I still believe that illegal aliens are linked to a higher proportion of crime that their numbers in the population would forecast. Bogus research given press will not change that, but unfortunately it may influence the opinion of those to lazy to get the facts. What really irks me is those Americans of hispanic heritage that are acting as apologists for the illegals. Immigrants need to come here legally, assimilate, and add to the strength of America. Their ancestors did that to make a better life for their children, an American way of life. Being lured here by employers seeking cheap labor, and without economic opportunity at home I understand that some take the considerable risk to come here. The illegal immigrant population and all their supporters need to acknowledge the criminal element among the illegals and quit harboring them, or they leave Americans no choice but to oppose all illegals. Previous waves of legal immigrants may have been perceived to be sources of criminal activity, but by ostracizing those among them that did not want to be productive members of society, and through hard work, and raising well-behaved children they were able to climb up to respectability. The illegals and their supporters need to get serious about being Americans or go home and suffer the deplorable life there. We do not want our standard of living lowered, and that is what seems to be happening.

One thing I noticed wrote on Feb 27, 2007 12:58 PM:I am currently living in a better part of Escondido where they seperate their trash for recycling. Ha Ha I would love to see the Global Warming and environmentalist see how most of the neeighborhoods do their recycling, into the dumpsters car batteries, paint cans, turepentine and assorted other dangerous chemicals all going to the same landfill. Truly a place where illegal dumping is taken as being poliically correct.

Wally wrote on Feb 27, 2007 1:16 PM:If 100% of the estimated 12 million illegal aliens in this country comminted crimes, and only 4 1/2% of the rest of us commited crimes, you could still come up with your headline: "Immigrants Do Not Commit Most Crimes". Sifuentes probably would. Thanks for the laugh.

to syle wrote on Feb 27, 2007 1:34 PM:Are you trying to say only illegals get paid under the table and don't pay taxes. I don't think so everybody trys to rip off the IRS with some type of bs on their taxes.

To : one can count on Skippy wrote on Feb 27, 2007 1:47 PM:My point is that I can differentiate between Immigrants and Illegal Aliens. If you went to the top 100 most wanted criminals Police webpage for Los Angeles, you would see that they list Place of Birth (POB) and where they think the suspect has fled. The same for the Escondido 10 most wanted list. Hey guess what? Mexico is very commonly mentioned. I think you got it wrong about being racist as it is the activists, and writers like Edward Sifuentes that would have you believe that all Illegal Aliens are Hispanics are the same. So I do not think race is an issue. I do not belong to any groups with names like "LA RAZA" (The Race), or that have mottos like The MEChA slogan "Por La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada". (For the race everything, for everyone else, nothing). I say Americans first and formost in America, and we all know that Americans come in all colors, races, and creeds. Wanting people to abide by, and respect the United States laws does not make you a racist. R/ Skip

Morgan wrote on Feb 27, 2007 1:54 PM:Haha, what a joke of a study done by a pro immigrant group. What makes is even funnier that the story right above this is about a gang called the "Diablos" in Escondido. They sound like some white fellas I know!

Neil wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:01 PM: Eddie! Eddie! Eddie (Sifuentes)! How many times do you have to be told that the term is ILLEGAL-IMMIGRANT. Your headline (I know, you told me that you don't write the headline - it's shortened due to space constraints) leaves out the ILLEGAL part of illegal-immigrant that you don't seem to understand, and your first sentence (did your superiors write that for you too?) also leaves out the ILLEGAL before immigrant. Kudos for the 2nd paragraph, which does say..."the illegal immigrant population doubled...", although they are not immigrants, they are ALIENS.

Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:02 PM:I have to chuckle. I think Edward and the rest of the crew at NCT are having a ball reading these posts. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a beer pool for the writer who gets the most comments. That aside, this article is ridiculous in content, and (in my opinion) not newsworthy.

Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:03 PM:As for "just move." Dude, you can't afford it.

Skip wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:10 PM:FACT : There have been more "Illegal Immigrants" (Illegal Aliens) to the United States in the last 20 years, then all of the "Legal Immigrants" to the United States, since the founding of our country over 200 years ago.

CB wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:15 PM:We should investigate the Minutemen and their friends.

REPORT wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:32 PM:California Prisons and Jails may contain up to 30% of an Illegal Alien population. These Illegal Aliens must be doing something to be locked up so much. And we are not talking about Immigration Violations here. California is spending Billions of Dollars to lock up Illegal Aliens.

I should have known wrote on Feb 27, 2007 2:37 PM:you wouldn't print my remarks about Sifentes and his BIASED reporting.

Jay wrote on Feb 27, 2007 4:40 PM:The article's argument may be partly true BUT it is the first generation off-spring of these illegals that are the most serious part of the equation. They evidently didn't study that!

Syl wrote on Feb 27, 2007 5:07 PM:If you believe this story then you would probably believe that Comprehensive Immigration Reform is not Amnesty!

Joker wrote on Feb 27, 2007 6:53 PM:Come on Ed, we are talking about illegals not immigrants that came here legally. On the news this week they were talking about illegal after illegal that have killed American citizens. The funny thing is they are usually hit and runs, and some politicians in this state want to give these fools licenses. What the politicians wont do for votes.

Mark wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:30 PM:Sifuentes strikes again...I love reading this guy's pro-illegal garbage.

Skip wrote on Feb 27, 2007 8:48 PM:HERE COMES AMNESTY !!!!!!!! The media is trying to soften up the American Public. HERE COMES AMNESTY !!!!!!!! NCT is running the stories.

RJ wrote on Feb 27, 2007 9:29 PM:This will be the third time I have attempted to quote directly from Government Accountability Office report number GAO-05-337R. For some reason I am being censored from quoting the factual content of the report mentioned in this article. According to the GAO report "At the federal level, the number of criminal aliens increased from about 42,000 at the end of calendar year 2001 to about 49,000 at the end of calendar year 2004-a 15 percent increase. The percentage of all federal prisoners who are criminal aliens has remained the same over the last 3 years –about 27 percent. The majority of criminal aliens incarcerated at the end of calendar year 2004 were identified as citizens of Mexico." You can read the entire 38 page report at gao.gov.

Adam wrote on Feb 28, 2007 4:42 AM:California prisons are so Overcrowded! Guess what? Remove the Illegal Aliens and the Prisons are not overcrowed, and then they function as designed. The freeways, schools, and hospitals work the same way. Who would have known?

racism wrote on Feb 28, 2007 10:13 AM:when is everybody going to realize that these people dont mean us any harm, seriously cant you people just leave them alone, everybody immigrated here one way or another

Ron wrote on Feb 28, 2007 10:54 AM:"Much crime" "most crime" "more crime" Just a play on words. They don't belong here, that's a crime, so every illegal is committing a 'crime' by being here.

melting pot wrote on Feb 28, 2007 5:31 PM:Yes, my family immigrated from Ireland, but they had to come on a ship and apply for entrance, have evidence that they had a job, then wait 30 days on ellis island to be vaccinated, and clear from quarantine(free of transmitable diseases). Yes there is a difference when you use the front door

RJ wrote on Feb 28, 2007 7:33 PM:One morning last week I spotted at least 45 laborers standing near the corner of Quince and 5th. Later that same day I saw at least 35 laborers standing near the Home Depot in Encinitas. That was what I observed in just 2 locations in the county. This huge surplus of cheap labor is driving wages down. A legal immigrant from Mexico was lamenting the fact he made $25.00 an hour as a carpenter 15 years ago. Now the same employer is only offering carpenters $10.00 an hour due to the glut of cheap labor. Sooner or later we need to close down the floodgates before we become a third world country too. Whether or not they mean any harm, they are harming this country. By the way, my grandparents came here legally!

Ellis Island? wrote on Feb 28, 2007 9:59 PM:There were no immigration laws back then! All you needed to come to the United States was transportation. Please your ancestors that emigrated from anywhere were all illegal immigrants. There was no front or back door. The immigration policy back then was "just get here" So please save your rhetoric for someone who cares. No Human Being is illegal according to our U.S. Constitution perhaps you should read the 14th Amendment which clearly gives ANY ONE equal protection. Get real now.

Roberto wrote on Mar 1, 2007 6:15 AM:To Ellis Island? The 14th Amendment does give protection, it does not authorize willful disregard for the laws of this nation. So yes, let's please get real.

Nick wrote on Mar 1, 2007 7:59 AM:Ellis Island is just another yahoo who interprets the Constitution to suit his or her ideals and opinions. I'm curious though, how do you feel about the rest of the Amendments to the Constitution, especially the 2nd amendment? I am finding far to often that the liberal, ILLEGAL loving crowd, who keep spewing about the 14th amendment are the same ones who would see fit to take away my right to bear arms under the 2nd amendment. If you are to going support 20 million people in this Country ILLEGALLY under the guise of the 14th Amendment, you damn well better be supporting my 2nd amendment rights also. But as usual, the Lib's like to pick and choose which Constitutional rights the rest of us should follow. All of my ancestors and relatives, who were rounded up and forced to march on the Trail of Tears and still living on that fine piece of Oklahoma land, are spinning in their graves or laughing in their living rooms, that we would actually give our Country away to an entire people from another Country just to feel good about ourselves. After all, the U.S. Government went to a lot of trouble to steal this Country in the first place. I don't know about the rest of you, but I know I don't want to give it to 20 million people here ILLEGALLY from Mexico and Central America. Immigrate here legally and contribute of get out!

DW wrote on Mar 1, 2007 10:02 AM:Has anyone noticed that the NCT has failed to report the huge federal drug bust that involved a Mexican drug cartel? Talk about poor reporting and being one sided on this issue. Sop the skewed rhetoric and start reporting real stories.

Nick wrote on Mar 1, 2007 12:05 PM:Now DW, you know that will never happen. The NC Times is all for illegal immigration and amnesty. Have you ever read anything that says other wise? They could care less about the sovereignty of this Country. They would be much happier with open borders and a giant superhighway running from Canada to Mexico. Oh yeah, that's actually going to happen if Americans don't get off their lazy butts and do something fast. The U.S. is going to wind up being a big, screwed up mess just like the E.U. Shoot, since we are going to just give our Country away to Mexico and it's citizens, why stop there? Let's just give the rest of it over to the Muslim's like France has decided to do. Then instead of all the whinig about the Cross on Mt. Soledad, we can change to whining about having to listen to the call to prayer 5 times a day blasting from a loudpeaker. Kinda like the Polish community outside of Detroit. Go see for yourself. Don't you just love this Country.

Jay wrote on Mar 1, 2007 7:47 PM:Ellis Island: Don't know what history book you are reading from but in the 20th century at least immigrants, who appled for visas before boarding the ships, were held in quarantine in places like Ellis Island until the authorities were satisfied that they were not diseased.This could last months. They also went through as best a criminal background check as they had then. Further, they had to show that they had some money and a job prospect (usually provided by a relative or ethnic organization). Its nice I supose to just invent "facts" to fit your politics but a little research would save your from sounding...well...uninformed.

RJ wrote on Mar 1, 2007 8:05 PM:My grandfather came through Ellis Island and had to have a sponsor who agreed to support him if necessary during his first 5 years in the US. He never took a dime from his sponsor or the US taxpayers. He was NOT illegal...

RJ wrote on Mar 1, 2007 8:07 PM:The people who came through Ellis Island were not sneaking into the US...

Steph wrote on Mar 1, 2007 8:41 PM:Violent and property crime rates have dropped 34 percent and 26 percent respectively since 1994. At the same time, the illegal immigrant population doubled to an estimated 12 million. What relevance does this have? Shouldn't the only question be "How many crimes were commited by illegal aliens?" Has a study been done to show how much those crime rates would have dropped if illegals were not included in the study? If they were not counted, and the rates were higher than 34% and 26%, then illegal immigration is causing a problem. Also, did they take into account that American citizens are more likely to report crime and turn in known criminals than illegals are, as illegals are generally afraid to contact police? If I was illegal, and I knew the police were looking for my illegal neighbor, would I call and let them know where he/she was? Probably not, so illegals get away with much more than legal citizens as they tend to live in communities with like people. This doesn't mean they don't commit violent crimes, it simply means the police have more trouble finding them and holding them accountable.

All are criminals wrote on Mar 2, 2007 2:26 PM:If you are illegally here then it is a crime, what is so hard to comprend? So it comes down to Illegals commit 100% plus in crimes. Quit making excuses.

BiasEd wrote on Mar 4, 2007 5:59 PM:The author of this article, Ed Sifuentes, is about as biased toward immigration policies, studies, polls, etcetc. His views are always slanted and most of the studies he quotes are done by Hispanic and/or liberal think tanks. It's like asking Bill Clinton to give a speech on women's morals. If an article is written by Senor Sifuentes, you can be guaranteed that he's going to put the (illegal)immigrants in a positive light. One hundred per cent of the illegal aliens in this country have already broken our laws and are criminals...no ands, ifs, or buts.

Against Racism wrote on Mar 5, 2007 7:26 AM:All you 'Minutemen' wannabes make me sick. Most of you are pilgrim immigrants. trying to act righteous? take a deep look at your souls. It is pure racism thinking you are better than others when whether you like it or nor you are a PILGRIM IMMIGRANT!!!

Immigrant? wrote on Mar 5, 2007 7:46 AM:'VIVA MEXICO'. Hey, anyone of you minutemen need their lawn cut today? Or how about aome trees planted? No, oh ok do you need a nanny for your kids(who doesn't raise their own kids, oh yeah bon bon suburban mamas don't), or do you need your hosue painted for cheap? What about some fruit picked? Need to learn how to put in a hard day's work? Or how about getting your K*K robes tailored or dry cleaned? Oh well just go out and eat somewhere, the cooks are pretty good around here. Look in any kitchen at a restaurant I see 'good' cooks. Yeah send then all back but keep their tacos and burritos here cause we love 'em and also make sure there are plenty vegetables at the super market, wait there is no fruit or vegetables or cooks or landscapers or nanny's or dish washers or hard workers around!! Please come back we need you after all!! We were just kidding. Chad and Sport are too spoiled with soft hands they don't want to work they just want to play XBOX and get on their skateboards till they take over daddy's business. WE WERE JUST KIDDING!!!!

To immigrant wrote on Mar 5, 2007 1:37 PM:Good idea, we should give it a try. All illegal aliens scurry back across the border. I believe we will do just fine, as we always have. We will call when we need you. Illegals can then get in line, wait their turn, and come over legally.

Ralphone wrote on Mar 5, 2007 5:08 PM:Ha Ha Ha, I have been robbed 4 time all four time the crime was commited by illegal. How do I know they were caught, They were kept in the country and not deported they paid my deductible on my insurance. the money was paid to the court. They was no probation. This was all due to Judge Draper who is now retired. There are two many bleeding hearts, they should all be sent home where they belong

To Against Racism wrote on Mar 5, 2007 6:09 PM:Actually is it about overpopulation and controlling our destiny as a nation. It is about the rule of law and respecting our soveerignty. I guess you don't understand that concept. The United States is the world's third-most populous country, after China (1.3 billion people) and India (1.1 billion). The nation's population has nearly doubled since 1950, and the count is expected to hit 300 million in October, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2050, the figure is projected to top 419 million. As the U.S. population increases, the link between population and the country's environmental capacity – its water supply, farmland, fisheries and other natural resources – is getting more attention from groups that aren't among the marquee names in environmentalism.

Jose G. wrote on Apr 27, 2007 8:05 AM:Yes It might be said that Illegal is illegal but, how about the reason why they came over in the first place. Any body take the time to think that one of the reasons they come over to the US and from the beginning of entrance in the US they have already committed an illegal act by entering EWI (Entrance without an Inspection) is because of the death threatning situations they face back in their Origin. Because of a foreign look,or name that we see in the crime rated list does not mean they are illegal immigrants a lot of foreign people have planted their roots in this country many years ago and there are families with generations lined up that do not mean their looks will change to fit the american look. So making judgements like that on how illegals commiting the most or higher percentage of crimes is hard to establish. First if they are illegal how are they in the system to be counted in the first place. Second if they are commiting illegal acts in the US like using false or fraudulent S.S cards or other type of identification, it needs to be looked at the opportunities and possibilities given in this country for Illegal Immigrants and if they are fair enough to not have to resolve in other matters like the ones just mentioned. They are humans to just like the American citizens that we are. If the only possible way they can go out make some money to servive and have some food on their stomachs for that day is to find a way they can work by obtaining false identity well it will get done. I do not agree in doing illegal acts but when it comes to survival what do we do?. Maybe we need to look at the Immigration process in the US and see if it is fair enough and how the consuming is it on time for illegal immigrants to be able to have some kind of legal status in the US.This might minimize atleast the part of document fraud.

fany wrote on Jun 14, 2007 1:38 PM:is funny how you all have adiferent point view i was a young child went my mother croos the border as an illegal allian she was a single mother triying to race us all because my father her white american us citizen husband dint have the guts to support her family and abandoned her so yes i believe she is a criminal so put her in jail for looking after the best for her family after all she broke the law

debi wrote on Nov 26, 2007 6:32 PM:to the writer Jose G---April 27, 2007 so you believe because you are hungry and need to survive, that it is somehow justified to commit a crime.I am an American, born in this country. I have had hard times and had to feed my family. I did not commit a crime to do so. Handouts were not given to me or my family. My husband became disabled and 2 illegal male Hispanics had beeen using my husband socialaecurity number to work and obtain credit. It wasn't just for food in their bellies. One just bought his 3rd $43,000 Ford Explorer. They own homes and rental properties. They have been using his humber for about 7 years. None of this showed up on my husband's credit report. We found out when a bill collector was trying to collect a debt for one of them. We live in this nightmare and have to prove that my husband did not make all this debt while the illegals reap the benefits of their crimes...it has consumed us! Illegals should go BACK to Mexico and stop using our Country! We owe you nothing! The end does not justify the means..Let your country feed you! If you do come,then use our immigration process-at least we offer it to you. What does your country offer us?

wnz wrote on Nov 29, 2007 7:57 AM:You'd think people with PhD's would have more sense. Incraceration rates are not the same as crime rates. Each could have committed multiple crimes. Perhaps this shows instead that illegal immigrants, or foreign born, are less likely to 'pay the price' for their crime. They are more able to get away with it because they have learned how to get around the system, obtain fake id's.. Nor does it include those who commit a crime, but are self-deported or deported instead of serving the sentence. Does this report refute the belief that foreign born, especially illega aliens , cause more crime? No, the statistics are not about causing crime. Illegal immigration in itself causes more crime by its very nature, because it is a crime, ID theft is a crime, and working without authorization in the US is a crime. Indeed an illegal alien that has a child here, the child is a citizen, and their crimes are reported as crimes of those born here, rather then foreign born. Yet crime has increased directly as a result of illegal immigration.