GreatArticle! wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:42 PM:Now watch, this person analyzed the numbers, yet he's gonna be called a racist hate-mongering xenophobic nativist (and will probably be added to the Southern Poverty Law Center's 'hate group' list; ooooo scary...).

Is anyone here REALLY okay with having to spend tax dollars to teach 82 languages? I'm surely not and I pay ALOT in Fed & State every year, ALOT.

Why can't anyone see that you simply cannot absorb people at the rate we've been? If you have a 2000 sq. ft. house, can you REALLY fit 50 people in it? It's really not so different for these schools. Why do people from other countries here illegally feel that we should be paying for ANYTHING for them? One can have all the compassion in the world, but could any of us support the aforementioned 50 extra people in our households? We simply CANNOT support the whole world!

jvc wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:43 PM:It is absurd to make all these assumptions about the cause of our state's deficits especially that that makes the claims about illegals adding
to the deficit! In fact, many dominant culture legal residents are paying their mortgages by offering instruction to the children
to these people! The real cause of these deficits, going on for years, is
the concept that we pay too much in taxes that started with the Reagan
presidency and we expect all the more
public services and higher wages without paying the taxes to properly support our public institutions! And the only solution is to fund our governments with the taxes we collect and not offer more government services
than the tax dollar collected! It is really simple, no more education dollars
or support for the poor or other government support than we have in revenue!And the fact remains, contrary to tax fighter's ideology,
if we gave our entire weekly paycheck
to our government, we would still not be paying enough for all the government services we receive!

Betttybb wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:08 AM:Makes sense to me. But it won't happen.

The Federal politicans are integrating the USA and Mexico without our consent, and they are not going to stop... big business is reaping huge profits from the North Amerian Union...

One forgotten line item wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:58 AM:you talk endlessly about this deportation plan, but never mention the cost. Is it free?

Randy wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:00 AM:It is beyond me why the local newspaper prints racist hate-mongering balderdash!

Roberto1 wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:00 AM:Wow!...an intelligent dialoge (blog)on illegal immigration....We should raise sales taxes and lower taxes on income. User taxes would insure the illegals pay an even greater share of taxes. The do pay taxes rent = property taxes (these taxes pay for schools), sales taxes, some even pay income taxes that go into our social security program. A comprehensive immigration plan is needed without all the political pandering to the racist and extremist who would throw the baby out with the bath water....I say, lets have a compassionate, workable, realistic plan instead of a float out on a ship and sink it mentality because that won't ever work.

William wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:31 AM:Some of the children legal residents. However, the US Supreme Court has forced states to provide all, including illegal alien children, with primary and secondary education. Since children learn languages more readily than adults, would it not be cost effective to provide an English imersion summer session for younger children to make them English proficient thereby avoiding the cost of instruction in multiple languages in further education?

William wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:36 AM:By decision of the US Supreme Court all children, whether legal residents or not, are entitled to primary and secondary education. It's well accepted that children learn languages with greater ease than adults. Would it not be cost effective to provide an English imersion summer program for younger children thereby avodiing the cost of education in so many languages? Parents often welcome their becoming proficient in English.

Pluto wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:37 AM: Plan B is so dumb it's hard to know where to start. First, it rests on the suggestion that "The state must insist that the federal government deport the illegal immigrants and their noncitizen student children". Gee, why didn't anybody think of that before? If it were possible to round up 12+ million people and deport them, it probably would have been done by now. But it would be throwing the baby out with the bath water because "illegals" contribute immeasurably to the economy, including taxes. There are big forces at work on the U.S. and global economy, including $12 billion/month for the war on Iraq. It's dishonest and/or idiotic to pretend (without offering any proof) that "illegals" are the cause of the recession, or that deporting them would solve these terrible problems. Maybe the dumbest suggestion is to "slash the prison population". Does Mr. Fisher really want to deport criminals? Does he trust the Mexican government to keep real criminals in prison? Does he think they won't come back if released? Does he think at all?

Brillant Article wrote on Mar 11, 2008 8:43 AM:The burden of illegals is crushing our state economy. The cuts to our children's education are just beginning. A large nummber of the recent immigrants are now unemployeed or under-employed. The crowded homes where they used to live are moving into foreclosure, sitting empty, and dragging down home values in the surrounding neighborhoods. Often, basic maintenance was lacking, and the empty homes need 'tender loving care' before they can be habited again. Banks that loaned money to these precarious boarding house venture are in financial collapse. The cost of the last decade's uncontrolled immigration will be with us for years!

Illegals Bankrupting America wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:01 AM:The illegal immigrants are doing what Bin Laden and Al Queda could not! Bankrupting America's banking system. No down stated-income teaser-rate mortgages were given to greedy people who crowded migrants into defacto boarding houses for illegals. Federal judges stopped efforts to prevent the practice. Now jobs are scarce and the migrants are migrating, leaving empty unkempt bank-owned houses surrounded by dead landscaping and budding weed gardens. Banks, desparate to unload these liabilities, are cutting prices at rate of 10% per month, and the houses still sit empty. The home price collapse is leaving banks and mortgage security inventors saddled with unfathomable losses, and an inability to respond to margin calls. Tax revenues are collapsing, potholes are left unfilled, and teachers are facing massive layoffs. The blame must be placed where the blame belongs. Illegal migrants are walking away from homes, and, once again, leaving Americans to shoulder the cost of their folly of sneaking into American to earn more money than back at home. Shame! Shame! Shame!

VivaLlaMigra wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:03 AM:... Well, this has NOTHING to do with race, folks! Here in MA we have nearly as many illegal IRISH as Mexicans. Well, illegal is illegal, and wages for blue-collar jobs are depressed equally by the illegal employment of red-headed Irish border jumpers as they are by Mexicans. Sure, they speak English but many lack a 5th grade education so they still can't fill skilled jobs. They take jobs that high school students used to get like waiting tables.

Nonsense wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:29 AM:Budget deficits caused by illegal immigrants? Nonsense, budget deficits are caused by inept politicians.

Lois wrote on Mar 11, 2008 11:56 AM:The law is the law...illegal aliens do not belong in the country, quite simple. I resent our government making laws, involving immigration ultimately at the taxpayers expense. Why should we pay for the education of other countries children? Why should we pay for non-citizens health care? They do not have rights. The only reason they do is because of special interests/government being in bed with each other.

People have to, at grassroots level start becoming political..change our government to do right by our citizens, and quit trying to appease foreign countries. The one world elitists want to destroy our sovereignty by choking our economy, bankrupt us.

We must stop legal and illegal immigration. Overpopulation creates poverty. Many of the illegal peoples overpopulate, and that is why they're in trouble in their own countries. Multiculturalism is unhealthy for a nation.

The American lifeboat is full, no more people...many immigrants of late will not simulate, they covet what we have, STOP THE IMMIGRATION! Contact your representatives, say NO to anymore immigration, legal or illegal.

Ray wrote on Mar 11, 2008 11:58 AM:Nobody should profit from a criminal act. Rewarding citizenship to people who broke the law is in conflict with a nation who supports the rule of law. Until the child is eighteen, than he or she should become a citizen, otherwise he or she is a ward of the parent and if the parent is an illegal alien... Adios!

How Long wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:13 PM:Say we implement Plan B. How long would it take to deport all those illegal immigrants? I'm thinking not quickly enough to avert his years budget deficit. So even if you COULD deport them all, it would take years to actually do it. Bottom line is the budget deficit is there because the state government spends too much money, and the special interests that buy this from the politicians block any cuts in those areas. The only political solution is to implement across the board cuts. Although in my opinion these proposed "cuts" are just bluffs and posturing as the real negotiations start to take place. The governor just wrote his number on a piece of paper, and everyone else involved can look aghast and make a counter offer, etc, etc. And in the end, they'll borrow enough to meet more or less the current needs and throw the rest to next year....AGAIN.

Oh brother! wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:20 PM:Illegals bankrupting our country? Did you learn nothing about how Bush is bankrupting our country in the so-called war in Iraq? Read the paper. All the facts and figures are in there. While we are wasting our time overseas and spending billions a day, our school budgets are being cut- plus it would cost billions to detain and send illegals back to their own country. Last, would you rather have a bunch of illegal children growing up to be ignorant and have no skills of any kind? Then what happens? They have lots of kids and continue the pattern.

Bobby wrote on Mar 11, 2008 1:05 PM:We don't need comprehensive immigration reform. "MEXICO" needs comprehensive "emigration" reform. The definition of Comprehensive Immigration reform is foreign nationals being allowed to settle in the United States without permission from the citizenry(who pay for their social welfare through the nose) and with impunity. In truth the United States needs Mexico like it needs a hole in the head. Give me a break! This government should refund the U.S. taxpayer billions of dollars of their taxes confiscated to pay for foreign nationals.Billions! The Democratic Party in California alone, has blown billions on social services for illegal aliens while the whole infrastructure of the State is crumbling.

Migrating Migrants wrote on Mar 11, 2008 2:25 PM:Oh brother! tries to connects migrants leaving houses to the bank in foreclosure to the Iraq situtation. How? Is the US government bankrupt? No! Are banks giving loans to servicemen who are not paying the loans back? No! The banks are losing money because people who could not afford the loans, and who never should have been 'qualified', are walking away from the loan commitments because home prices quit spiraling upward. Their walking, or continued migration to greener pastures, is cause a free fall in real estate prices. That is what is causing the banks to lose hundreds of billons of dollars. Iraq has nothing to do with the mortage crisis.

dave from oceanside wrote on Mar 11, 2008 3:01 PM:The state should borrow 10 billion to complete the border fence all across Mexico.
If the other 3 border states kick in great, then they actually realized spending now is worth it for the future.
Over time with the crackdown on business hiring of illegal�s, the illegal�s will self deport and the cost to the states will diminish.

Carson wrote on Mar 11, 2008 3:45 PM:If the Revolutionaries in the government would have respected the will of, "We the People" and enacted Proposition 187 instead of deceitfully overturning it we may have avoided these problems.

There still may be time for them to redeem themselves by enforcing the immigration laws. Not only may it help them avoid arrest it could go a long way to save some of the children�s futures.

Remember aiding and abetting illegal aliens is a felony.

Bobby wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:55 PM:Carson, I agree with you that things COULD be turned around in California, but you know, it's a nice day to go to the beach, I'm off today, I have to see the new "beemer" at the dealership, I have to go to baseball or soccer practice, I have to wait because the illegal alien gardener hasn't arrived yet to mow my lawn, voting doesn't matter anyway, Feinstein and Boxer and Pelosi won't listen anyway,my supporting groups like Save Our State might make be seem like radical, I have a rental that illegal aliens might rent out, who will do the dishes at the restuarant that just opened that is employing illegal aliens and if they have to leave it will be a catasrophe for me, because I like Mexican food and on and on. Not good material as far as citizens who want to stop illegal immigration--is it? A little honest examination of our priorities would help--wouldn't it? Or we should just keep our mouths shut--shouldn't we? It makes us look silly after awhile.

Skip wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:57 PM:At least Mr. Fisher has the guts to say it. It is a no brainer that the millions of non-taxpaying or under-tax paying Illegal Aliens living in California are a catastrophic drain on our state budget. The damage they have done to our school system alone is immense. There is a good reason why the California public school systems rank in the bottom for the entire United States. We have the most Illegal Aliens.

Language wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:58 PM:Regarding our English/foreign language problem, two situations recently really upset me. 1) My local polling location had a sign with one word and an arrow pointing to the place to vote. The word VOTE was written in FOUR languages! So if you cannot read one word (VOTE) in English, you are welcome to vote for our laws and elected officials! 2) I was at the local DMV to renew my drivers license. There was a sign posted to advise people to go to window 12 for something or other. The sign was printed in two languages, with Spanish on top and English underneath! I am becoming more and more convinced that we need to secure our borders, then send all illegals home.

COST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN CALIFORNIA ESTIMATED AT NEARLY $9 BILLION wrote on Mar 11, 2008 4:59 PM:By: EDWARD SIFUENTES - Staff Writer | Sunday, December 5, 2004 9:22 PM PST ��

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/12/06/news/top_stories/19_56_5812_5_04.txt

Bobby wrote on Mar 11, 2008 5:28 PM:Bettybb is right. This and past traitorous administrations are h-llbent on merging The United States of America,(say that a couple of times and feel good about it because it won't mean much if they have their way), with socialist Canada, and Narco-State south. No more real freedom, no more small businesses without being burdened by huge taxes, to support the socialist structure the rich want set up for us the poor and middle classes--but THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. The Mexican embassies are all in place, aren't they?

CCUSA wrote on Mar 11, 2008 6:02 PM:Illegal immigration is sinking budgets across this country!!!

Time to end it.

Enforcement through attrition now!

Reality Check wrote on Mar 11, 2008 6:31 PM:Economics 101: No - illegals don't cause deficits. They earn profits for American businesses that hire them and that keeps costs down. That's a fact Jack!! Take away the cheap immigrant labor and I will guarantee that the economy will really hit the fan. If you think inflation is bad now... just try it. There will be a smaller labor pool and wages will go up along with all labor related prices. Readers on this blog are so blinded by hate and fear that they don't realize we are dependent on these folks. Build a wall or rebuild America? Not enough money to do both. Better learn how to live with and manage the immigration needs of our country- or you will pay the price, and it will cost more than $9 Billion dollars a year.

Tenny wrote on Mar 11, 2008 7:49 PM:Hmmm is CA going to be REPRO'ED ? to night obama railed on lou dobbs and illegals saying all people have a place in America . Welcome to the land of No More Dreams and 3th world citizens

Bobby wrote on Mar 11, 2008 8:51 PM:Reality Check--what an oxymoronic name. Your aguing that illegal immigration doesn't cause deficits on a site where the article is clearly stating that California is 14-16 billion in debt because of illegal immigration. You mention blinded by hate. As opposed to what you apparently are--just plain blinded by your fantasies?

Roberto1 wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:33 PM:Hey Skippy...I see your at it spreading misinformation again...There are other states with lower SAT scores below California's that don't have many illegal aliens...Ever think the state has reneged on its obligation to fully fund education?... maybe California should stop trying to balance the budget on the back of on of the taxes illegals do pay (rent is an indirect property tax)...on second thought, keep spreading your manure.

Milt Smith wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:13 AM:Instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger cutting 10 percent across-the-board, just deport 10% of the illegals. Think about the savings there!!!

Alan wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:32 AM:Exlnt article. Isn't it amazing that there are still those who claim that these Illegal immigrants pay taxes? Nobody can argue that sales taxes are paid by anyone who purchases in a state where they apply. BUT, to consider Property Taxes because they pay rent is absurd. The name on the deed pays the taxes and claims them as deductions when they file their Fed and State tax returns. When Illegals can claim those taxes on their returns, I will accept them as "taxes paid". When they file State and Fed income taxes and receive refunds or pay the additional owed, I will consider them paying Income taxes. Otherwise, it is just the cost of illegal entry into America, likened to paying coyotes for their trip here. In the meantime, they are frauds, and cheaters. Also, some ask about costs of deportation. Zero, if we force Employers to verify SS information and fine those who do not comply, they will deport themselves. Separating families; they separated from their families when they decided to enter America illegally. Now, they can take their family with them when they return to their own country. I agree, families should stay together. America is getting very tired of being told why so many people can ignore our laws and defraud our people, Government and services. Come here legally or not at all. What's wrong with that concept?

goldengoose wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:45 AM:North County school districts are seeing their citizen employees put out of work due to the state budget, while at the same time, those schools are educating thousands of illegal alien children. And their educations are paid for with the taxes of the citizens losing their jobs. Where is the sense in that? Where is the morality in that? And can that be sustained indefinitely? Citizens are demoralized over their own government ignoring them in favor of illegal immigrants, and then laughed at and called names when they complain.

Deport the illegals wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:01 AM:and impeach the politicians. Both are the reason we don't have balance in Sacramento.

I want to shake wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:26 AM:the genesis hand that came to that conclusion, that guy should be President.

Wow!!! wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:30 AM:I wonder if this fisher guy is related to Sam Abed; at least they sound the same, making numbers without data or real studies and throwing the illegal card to an ignorant audience.

THE ILLEGALS ARE COMMING,THE ILLEGALS ARE COMMING , HIDE YOUR KIDS!!!!

this a great writing for April's fool day, because the writer has not a single idea of economy's knowledge and shows a great deal of ignorance about reality.

Is Arnie the new Governor Moonbeam? wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:31 AM:Call Okalohma and Arizonia and they can tell you how they went about self deportation.

Fire the teachers, wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:33 AM:hire the illegals. Welcome to America.

Moe wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:46 AM:Hey JVC, how much did you pay in taxes last year? Usually the people who are for raising taxes hardly pay any at all. You obviously don't have a clue about basic economics. The more taxes that are taken out of the economy to pay for more government expansion = less business growth = less tax revenue.

Ken wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:52 AM:We are firing good teachers and other staff to cut the cost that the ILLEGAL ALIENS are costing us. Why in the world are our schools teaching in any other language except English? This is insane! If ALL of the ILLEGAL ALIENS with their families return to their own country, we would have plenty of money to keep good teachers and have smaller classes, as well as to only teach in the English language. If the money that the ILLEGAL ALIENS are sending back to their own country stayed here, it would pay for the teachers and staff! WAKE UP AMERICA! We have to put a STOP on the ILLEGAL ALIENS and ILLEGAL DRUGS from coming into our country.

Ted wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:05 AM:It is simple. Enforce the laws on the books. Stop providing public services to illegal immigrants, this will keep them from coming here in search of these services.

The last I checked we lived in a Republic based upon democratic principles. Yet the people of this country are largely not represented by the politicians in power.

Comprehensive legislative reform is needed in almost all areas of the law. This phrase takes no thought to utter. Enforce our laws. Represent the legal constituents. Welcome those that are seeking to come here legally and to learn our culture.

Bobby wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:29 AM:Some of you dopes on this forum don't understand. You're a bit slow. You're somewhat foggy headed. It would behoove you to pay more attention. THE TAXPAYER CITIZEN IS SICK OF IT ALL. WE DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT FOREIGN NATIONALS HERE ILLEGALLY ANY LONGER. NOT MEXICANS, SOUTH AMERICANS, EUROPEANS OR ANY OTHER GROUPS HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!! CITIZEN TAXPAYERS AND LEGAL RESIDENTS ARE TIRED OF THE ABUSE.

janet wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:42 AM:Though I agree there are problems with illegals, this article does not offer either facts or solutions. To analyze this, one would have to investigate all the aspects of this, not just the ones that the writer agrees with. For example, how are prices for produce, gardening, and handy man work affected by illegals? How many employers, including homeowners, are benefiting from lower prices? How much money is paid by illegals to the government and never collected? How many jobs for legals are supported by illegals? Yes, there are costs incurred by having illegals and they may do outweigh the benefits, but probably not to the extent represented in this commentary. Look at history--there has always been an ethic/religious whipping boy--Irish, Italian, Jewish, native American, Scots, etc.

Karen wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:01 AM:Right on! And don't forget how much less crowded the roads and freeways would be!

Make the corporations pay wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:11 AM:The ultra-conservatives running this state and for the time being this country don't want to fund public education for anyone, and they are using "illegal aliens" as an excuse. Get the corporations to pay their fare share of federal and state taxes and this problem will go away. They dodge their responsibilities with off shore corporate headquarters and they use the media to divert attention from their mega-thievery and to turn people who have little against people who have less.

Joe wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:27 AM:The United States is in a tail-spin heading right into third world country. Bush is selling us out and we have nothing to say about it. He is signing with Canada and mexico to make a North America Union. This should not be happening because we the people did not vote on this. Our sovereignty and our freedom are all going to be in the hands of foreign countries. Next time you feel the earth shaking that is not an earthquake those are our forefathers rolling in their graves with disgust.
Anyone who thinks that the deficit problem has nothing to do with the illegal situation is simply in denial.

dave from oceanside wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:33 AM:The constitution was ratified to give the children of slaves the right to American citizenship.
This was done to help right the wrong we inflicted on the African slaves brought into this country. The law was never intended to include benefiting anyone here illegally with so called anchor babies rights to citizenship. The supporters of illegal�s have pushed into the media and the general public their flawed interpretation of the 14th amendment.
This law was written by man and, judging by the overwhelming backlash to the amnesty bill by the American people, will be clarified to include only legal residents of the US.

Sickening wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:36 AM:Finally! Someone at NCT has the nerve to speak the truth and write an unbiased article about the CRISIS we are in.

Here is the real question:

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

We can comment all day long on this website or actually do something.

Personally, I have no clue what to do. I wish we had leadership that would understand that the American Dream is dieing.

HELP!

To Roberto1 wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:48 AM:I like you better when your comments were on the Temecula shooting story. I even noticed that you never used the word xenophobic and were actually quite polite. Oh well, you are back to normal now. And I am sorry, but I think there is more then ample proof that Illegal Aliens use far more in social services then they will ever pay in taxes. Remember Mexico is one of the lowest tax based countries in the world, and its' citizens just do not pay taxes. Well they do not change once they come here. r/ Skip

To One forgotten line item wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:54 AM:RE: you talk endlessly about this deportation plan, but never mention the cost. Is it free? >>> YES IT WILL BE FREE! WE WILL SEND ALL OF THE ILLEGAL ALIENS BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES C.O.D.

I can see taxing wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:06 PM:money that leaves this country, already paid tax? Fine bring in your pay stub and prove it otherwise all money leaving for private foreign addresses gets taxed.

U2 wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:36 PM:the only thing that is going to happen is "...reduce dependent tax credits, and increase the gas tax and college fees..."

Madam Patriot wrote on Mar 12, 2008 2:36 PM:This week it�s teachers who are getting layoff notices; recently it was some of our employees.

As someone who works for a national company that provides products to the educational industry we just recently laid-off half of our existing workforce due to further declining sales. Since 2001 we went from an $8M company to a $2M company and have had to layoff 80 percent of our employees. Orders from California used to make up the largest percentage of our national sales but over the past several years sales within the state have plummeted.

When investigating the cause we found that monies that used to go to instructional products we supply are now mostly budgeted to English Language Learner (ELL) programs. It�s not that our customers (teachers) do not want our products it�s that there is no longer money for them.

If you link to http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/ (Dept of Education), you�ll be able to do a search by district to see the large number of ELL students now enrolled in our schools; just key in your district name and hit search. For example if you search for Los Angeles, you will find that out of 727,319 students, 40% (or 293,711) of their students are classified as ELL; for Vista it�s 25%, for Escondido it�s 44%, for Oceanside it�s 26%, for San Diego it�s 28%. Some districts within the state have over 65% of their students classified as ELL.

For those of you still out there who think illegal immigration doesn�t affect people, please tell that to the families of our employees who recently lost their jobs and to the educators who are losing their jobs this week.

Roberto1 wrote on Mar 12, 2008 3:43 PM:To Skippy...Mexico taxes in Mexico are quite high..but like everything else you say , it has no basis and is based on your xenophobia.

Bobby wrote on Mar 12, 2008 3:44 PM:Madam Patriot, there are many people, some of my friends included, who love it. Love it all. What exactly you say. The fact that some Americans are losing their jobs because of illegal immigration from Mexico,etc. Here is the point. If Americans are so utterly stupid as to not see by now that this nation is sinking to third world status, while many formerly third world nations are starting to prosper, than we deserve everything we get when we allow it. Millions of Americans are literally working for chicken scratch doing two or more jobs to keep a roof over their heads, while our "ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES" try to figure out more ways to steal our taxes for the benefit of people who have never, ever, been given permission by the taxpaying citizenry and legal residents to even be here. PERIOD. STUPIDITY HAS A PRICE. EVERY STUPID ACTION OR NON-ACTION HAS A REACTION. How many Mexican embassies do we now have and why? How many illegal alien gang members are in our prisons costing us millions and why? Go on, it's beyond lunacy.

See America is not the wrote on Mar 12, 2008 4:44 PM:only one to have Slave Masters. BEIJING -- Migrant workers building Beijing's skyscrapers and Olympic venues are being bilked of wages and placed in dangerous conditions as laws designed to protect them are not enforced, Human Rights Watch said in a report Wednesday.

jvc wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:08 PM:Moe, You are right! Sorry!

Olaf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:37 PM:Just wondering if your (Madam Patriot) million dollar company hires gardeners? window washers??? janitors??? Just wondering... I too am unhappy with the way immigration works (or doesn't) but to make such hasty comments by all is funny. Until Companies and people (yes you people who complain but go to Home Depot to get a immigrant to dig your ditch/move your furniture/build that retaining wall) until you stop employing them they will not stop coming here. So look at your selves first then work on companies, etc... I am certainly not going to pick lettuce but a work visa for those that would will work better then allowing everyone in without papers. Just my 2 cents!

Bobby wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:46 PM:Olaf, I agree with you. But is a job picking lettuce, worth allowing the person to permanently bring his extended family, which might number thirty, into this nation? WHAT IS, THE COST of lettuce when the taxpayer must support socially thirty impoverished people? I'm just trying to put a social, economic and environmental frame to these arguments. Don't Americans deserve a clean, uncrowded, economically strong, nation. Isn't that a fair question?

Madam Patriot wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:05 PM:To: Olaf wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:37 PM

As an employer we do check backgrounds of our employees since we may have to visit school sites and you have to be able pass a state check if we were to visit any school to conduct business. Unfortunately we are in an industrial park and we don't have a say in who's doing the landscaping, cleaning, etc. since it is inclusive as part of our lease. That said, at our home we do all our own yard work, painting, pool, etc. but if we need something done by a professional, we do our best to ensure that they are here legally. As part of their contract we have them sign a statement that their workers are legally allowed to work and that if they are later found to be unlawful we can seek a full refund. Haven't had any contractor turn down the business yet!

OLAF wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:53 AM:That's great Madam...now if all others here would follow suit we wouldn't have as much a problem would we???? But alas IT is known that somebody must be hiring all these people who stand out front of Home Depot. SOMEBODY must be hiring all the gardeners/painters/ dry wallers... I say we start penalizing those developers (probably the main culprits) who hire all these people without papers... But alas that would be going against business needs and against those that yell free markets.

What about making it easier for these individuals to get work visas and then we know who is here and we (as society) can hire them and not fret. Just my two cents.

SLEEPY wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:47 AM:Ahh you guys just make me sleepy because you don't know what to do with all the debt that US is facing, not only CA. It is scary I know but you are blaming the "illegal immigrants" for it, I agree that they are costly. What I don't agree is that you just blaming them...hello...is killing people in Iraq a good investment? ahh? Believe Iraki people do not love you as they should. Millions of $$ are been spent in that silly war and you had destroy the lives of many people. Iraki people are not happy with you at all. For you information many of them are coming to US and not necessarely legally. SEE my point? a lot of the problems that you are facing today is because the silly policies that US has abroad. Even illegal immigration was and is caused by such inept policies...now you had to deal with these problems. Now US is going to the hole. TBTS (Too bad too sad).

jsc wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:11 PM:Yes illegal aliens do cause budget deficits; they're not the only cause, but are a significant one.

Single illegal alien males typically pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits. But as soon as they bring across their wife/kids or impregnate a girlfriend here, the balance sheet changes. The typical illegal immigrant family pays $2000+/yr in taxes. They typical illegal alien headed family receives $7000+ in social services, not counting education and law enforcement costs. Giving them amnesty only minimally increases their income/taxes paid by about 15%. Giving them amnesty increases their benefits received by 60%. Amnesty is a bad solution to the illegal alien problem. A better solution would be to impeach the federal judges holding up the implementation of the SSN and alien SAVE verification systems that requires employers to verify SSNs. Also, terminating birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens would help; the child of an illegal alien should be an illegal alien too. Third, terminate all benefits except emergency lifesaving medical to illegal aliens and their offspring. If you do these 3 things, #1 will cause 50% of illegals to self deport. If they can't work, they can't send money home to Mexico or support themselves.#2,If their kids aren't citizens or if #3, cash aid/food stamps/subsidized housing/WIC etc is denied to their offspring, they can't support themselves and they will leave. If there is no benefit to coming here, they will leave their families behind. If they can only work under the counter, half will leave. Others will eventually miss their families and return to Mexico, if they don't earn enough to live well here and send money home. Only a few will remain, mostly single young men who contribute more than they receive. When all these illegals self deport, we will need more unskilled workers, and can increase immigration quotas from many of these same countries. Net effect: those immigrants who filled out the paperwork, waited patiently for their turn to enter the U.S. will benefit by a faster moving line. LEGAL IMMIGRANTS: a better solution, made possible by the self deportation of unrewarded illegals.

to JSC from Sleepy wrote on Mar 17, 2008 3:04 PM:OK..you see you agree that illegal immigrants are ONE CAUSE of the deficits, but not ALL of it. I wanted you to see that because even though they are not the FULL CAUSE.. they had became the SCAPE GOAT of the problems and THAT'S IS MY PROBLEM. I agree that they are getting benefits and they might not entirely pay for them because most of them earn almost nothing, but yet they are paying part of it. My other problem is that you tend to focus on the illegal immigrants and you don't think about all those billions of dollars president Bush had approved for Irak... U SEE? Those millions instead of been spent over there... should be spent inside the US for soldiers own education and their children. I AGREE with you that an Amnesty is not the solution, neither the silly walls...nothing will stop them from coming. Why? because hunger is stronger than the risk of dying. IF EUROPEANS CROSSED AN OCEAN FOR A BETTER LIFE...A WALL IS NOTHING :). the problem of illegal immigration can only be cut by the roots of it giving jobs to them in their countries. If you ask those people if they want to be here I assure you 1000000% that they would say NO if they would have a decent job at home. Did you notice that since 1994 more people are coming? well baby it is because NAFTA and the unfair US subsidies that drove Mexican farmers out of the market..because they could not sell their products and prices are almost the same there as here so there is not money even to buy tortillas..so they are coming and coming :( other fact BABY!! is that US and the World bank had imposed so many restrictions on third world countries that do not allow 3rd world countries to grow and be able to take care of their people. I HAVE BAD NEWS FOR YOU!!
You say that if government cuts benefits to everyone, they will self-deported... sure...haha!! Baby they just will move and they will not be back to Mex or their countries because they are worse over there that they rather starve here. You need to read more and analyse US policies abroad because you are now facing their effects after a few decades. BABY you need to read more. ... you need to look beyond and above...narrow minds make people ignorant you know. The world is not only yours :). Choose leaders that are capable to write policies :). US needs to step out of other countries and be a fair trade competitor because instead of helping, it is just making things worse. U can respond to me millions of times...and I'll have always an answer for you. WOmen need to take over...silly men do not know how to run things well....:)and if you are a woman you should agree with me.. :)...

dave wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:15 AM: This is Mexico's problem and until they are held accountable for it nothing will change. Mexico is responsible for their citizens. To provide jobs for them and to take care of their social services.
Unfortunately, their corrupt government won't change. Isn't it ironic that illegal immigrants will march in a foreign land for their perceived rights, yet they won't march for their real rights in their own land?
Also, to try and say that the Iraq war or any of mission, program, expenditure, etc. that costs the US taxpayer money is, somehow, money that could be better spent on solving this fiscal problem is utter nonsense. If we could magically return the billions of dollars from the war to spend on this problem, it doesn't resolve the problem. It merely postpones the problem for a few years. The solution is not to throw money at the problem. The solution is enforce the law, force Mexico to take responsibility for their citizens, strengthen border security, and come up with a workable plan for responsible immigration policy. A wise man once said, "Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality the cost becomes prohibitive."

Escondodo wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:20 AM:And your point would be? I agree - let us spread the pain all around the country. I would support that. Let the country as a whole understand the issues surrounding illegal immigration! Why should this fall on the backs of the border states/counties? LET US SPREAD THE PAIN AROUND! Maybe then we might see an interest in immigration reform.

SLEEPY to DAVE READ IT ALL. wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:16 AM:OK first of all, the manifestations were against Sensenbrenner Bill (H.R. 4437)and then things turned around and became worse. I totally agree with you that Mexico need to take care of its people. But i think you need to read all my post above because you are not getting the point at all. immigration is nothing new, but the media had made it a big deal lately because they like to create tension bewteen the groups. As for the money wasted in Irak, I think you agree that it would be better if spent here. I know that it would not solve the problem because US debt trillions of dollars. It is not only the national debt, but also the foreign debt, the fact that the dollar is losing power everyday. All money diseases came to affect the economy at once, and that is super-mega-scary:(. MY PROBLEM is that the immigration that you are seeing has been partly caused by NAFTA and its consequences, and other US policies such its subsidies. A lot people in the US disagreed about NAFTA, but your government ignored you. Why? because the big companies had money for lobbying. IF you tell me that Mexico is corrupt not doubt about it, but the same thing happen in US just that it is called Lobbying. THE same BS happened in Mexico and NAFTA policies and restrictions caused that many peasants to lose their source of income, and they are coming to US. SEE MY POINT?i WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND IT that immigration can't be solve quickly. Mass deportation will not work because they'll came back anyway so the money is going to be wasted. Minutemen are a sorry organization do whatever they do nothing will change much. The idea is that Mexico takes care of its people and other countries of theirs because you had maDe all undocumented people MExican? What is wrong with you? However, Mexico will not be able to take care of its people... Why? because the same as IN US Mexico and other countries are trapped in a cycle of debt... :( that can't get out and I think US is goign that way too :( and since many countries depend on the US, things will became much worse... The ones that had the money rule this country and the same in other countries while leaving the average citizen down here, in mexico and everywhere in the world. See my point Democracy does not exist, the world is governed by capitalists. You may think that because you vote you are going to be heard? maybe but the government will not listen to you as it would listen a millionare executive. Under capitaism you are only a number and a working machine nothing more...YOU NEED DEFINITELY NEED TO READ MORE i CAN RECOMEND YOU BOOKS AND YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME ECONO COURSES AS WELL AS YOU ALSO NEED TO BE EXPOSED TO CRITICAL THINKING...why most people don't understand? because capitalism system chooses what to teach you at school, so you are taught to work for money and eventually you become a working machine. I don't think the immigration or even the world can be fixed right away because it won't happen. What's happening is that when things get bad, you always look for the scapegoat, and today's scape goat in US are undocumented people, but merely to all LAtinos.. why because if you see a brown face you immediately think "illegal". Sorry that I'm not white because if I were white you would not target me and I would lose myself into the white America because you tend to judge People by appearence and race rather by individual characteristics. I was attacked by two white boys....even though I'm a US citizen, but they are ignorant and their parents had taught them to hate browny faces like me. My friend who is native American was also attacked by one man becuase she is brown and she was speaking the little spanish she knew. My friend is not happy at all, and if you keep doing such mistakes you are going to piss many people and not necessarely Latinos. I have too much things to say, but I'll stop here for the moment :)because I have better things to do than arguing about things that are logical but people simply do not use their brain to think beyond and above. :)
with all my love:
Sleepy :)

rogerg wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:55 AM:For those who say illegals pay tax's please note; the IRS gave out a total of 2.3 million ITIN numbers, these numbers go not only to them but legal immigrants and foreign investors, there are 20 million illegals. Do the math...

DJ wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:47 AM:I don't care where they are from. They can be Mexican, Irish, Russian, or French. If they are illegally here, SEND THEM ALL BACK. They have no right to be here except under OUR law. Just because they may speak English,doesn't change anything. Kick them out!

MEXINUSA wrote on May 6, 2008 11:11 PM:YOU ALL CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT UNTILL YOU LIFT A FINGER TO DO YOUR PART (TAKING THE JOBS THAT MEXICANS AND OTHER FOREINGERS DO INSTED OF WAITING FOR GOVERMENT CHEKS TO ARRIVED, EATING CHEETOS AND WACHING TV) THEY WILL HAVE A JOB TO TAKE GLADILLY. UNTILL BIG COORPORATIONS AND GOVERMENT STOP SEING ANDVANTAGE IN THIS MATTER (LOW COST LABOR WORKER & TAX MONEY THAT WILL NOT BE CLAIM & SO ON) AND WACHING THE AVERAGE CITIZEN BLAMING FOR ALL THE ILLIGAL INMIGRANT, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
GOVERMENT AND BIG CORPORATIONS NEED TO KEEP THE ILLIGAL INMIGRANT IN THAT WAY(ILLIGAL) SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY FOR THEM, COUSE THEY HAVE THE FEELING OF BEING ACEPTED WITHOUT PAPERS WILE THEY WORK HARD CAUSING NO PROBLEMS .
IT IS A MATTER OF COODEPENDENCE

David N wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:24 AM:Illegal immigration is only half of the problem. The other half that the costs of illegals has caused the state to raise taxes, overcrowding, and rasied housing costs. This has caused the productive middle class to flee. The state looses about 250,000 middle class (usually professionals per year). If you figure these people are paying about $3000/year in taxes, thats $7.5 billion per year. This has been going on for several years now.