Even with 40,000 attorneys flooding the country, they will always be in demand. Don't be so quick to assume that immigrants are the bad guys and that they are out to steal jobs. Walk a mile in their shoes. I challenge you, Mr. Bashore, to walk a mile in the shoe of a fresh faced high school student, guilty of nothing more or less than being brought to this country as an infant by parents who never legalized their status. Is this child, who has lived their entire lives here and knows no other homeland, any less of an American than you are? I challenge you to look one of them in the eye and answer that question.

Mr. Bennion, please continue your work, I applaud your efforts to better the situation of immigrants in this country.

DD Bianco,

Your comment "Even with 40,000 attorneys flooding the country, they will always be in demand", defies everything I learned in four years of college economics. The law of supply and demand works with labor as well as with money and goods. The more labor the lower the price of that labor will be the result. That is what alarms me the most. That is the lowering the living standards of millions of Americans. The creation of a super large impoverished class and all the problems that go along with it.

To me, the issue isn't who is the "bad guy?" It's what kind of a future do we want? It seems that no matter how reasonable a person is when they call for reductions in immigration levels, the pro-immigration people just try to make them look like they are insensitive at best and a hate-mongering racist at worst. There are so many compassionate and practical reasons to reduce immigration levels, it's a shame that a sincere conversation is not permitted.
For starters, the United States is already overpopulated. If you don't know this, you really have a lot to learn about reality. There are water shortages all over, overflowing landfills, overcrowded schools, dwindling wetlands and and other kinds of wildlife habitat destruction. The list goes on. And the FACT is that the population growth is a result of immigration and the high birthrates of immigrants. There is nothing mean-spirited about pointing out reality. Denying reality, and trying to paint honest, caring people as having evil motivations is what is truly dangerous.
Take a good, hard look at what truly motivates you. Ask yourself, "does immigration really solve the worlds problems?" And, "what would be a good rate of immigration to the United States? Is there any limit to population growth?" "When will we address the limits to growth?" Have you ever even thought honestly about these issues, or are you just trying to make yourself feel like a hero by standing up for poor people? 
 

Kevin has got it right.

Reasonable?  You can't be reasonable in forcing x number of people to live in destitution, because that in itself is not reasonable.

As for children, why do the children of American citizens matter more than the children of people who are not American citizens?  Direct your anger at the roots of the problem not innocent people who are merely reacting to it, and if you really need someone to blame (and frankly the idea that someone always has to be punished for anything thats wrong in the world is a very simplistic worldview anyway) then blame the people who are actually responsible for creating and perpetuating that problem.

Let's do the math. Every illegal immigrant family can look to pay an immigration attorney, say, $4,000 for assistance. Multiple that by the 20 million illegals in the country and you get, hmmm, $80 BILLION dollars. A tidy sum for the profession, no? Of course it helps melt down the integrity of the whole country, but what the heck.

The first action of any illegal immigrant on United States soil is an illegal act.  We should not reward any person who breaks the law for any reason. 

Further, once here, the typical illegal immigrants do not speak English, have questionable skill sets, live in poverty and off the grid.  This has the potential to damage our existing culture, communities and safety.

Finally, if made into full citizens, illegal immigrants would pose an immediate drain on state and federal funds at a time when the country cannot afford to pay everyone's way. 

I know it is easy to say protect and shelter everyone, but almost all pro-immigration arguments pull on the heart strings without having any rational approach.

I think the tricky thing with this issue (as with most social issues) is that many of you have your hearts in the right places and want to help everyone.  Unfortunately, we also need to consider the negative impacts and butterfly effects.

There are times when the costs of doing that right thing far exceed the benefits.  But when making a broad policy decision, you really have to consider if helping 1 man and hurting 1000 is worth it.  

If the world were an ideal place, we wouldn't have any issues to face.  But we can't open the floodgates at a time when the country and the world are facing an economic crisis.  We just don't have the resources right now.  Maybe in ten years, we will be prosperous again and this will be an issue that we can afford to address.  For now, the country can hardly afford the citizens it has, let alone taking in new ones. 

URGENT QUESTION:
My grandaughter (17 1/2), a U.S. citizen is engaged to and pregnant with an 18 year old, sweet, hard working  Latino/"illegal immigrant."
If they get married, does he automatically gain US citizenship?

I would have posted something like that under a fake name...if you post that you know an "illegal immigrant" under your real name which they can track, you're in danger of getting him arrested by the ICE.

In response to your question, I'm not an expert on immigration law but as far as I know, yes he would.  Another equally important question is...does it even matter?

Smashing borders,
Alan

I appreciate our hard working immigrants who add diversity and value to America on many levels... BUT!!


I deplore politicians who actively and passively allow the invasion which occurs every day from our southern borders. I live an a community with a heavy Latino population and I have absolutely no problem with most of them. I also do not blame these people for wanting a better life and pursuing it, because that is indeed the American dream.
Unfortunately for our legal immigrants are painted with brush held firmly by those very politicians who proclaim to be on their side. They ignore the problem and OH YES IT IS.. a problem.. so that they can illicit votes from "The Latino Community".. unfortunately .. again... these same Latino Groups expect the same treatment for illegal and legal immigrants.... this simply CAN NOT be.
Should we hate them for being here??.. absolutely not!!.. we shouldn't hate anyone much less strike out against them... BUT lets but the blame where it lay, directly on the Politicians AND the Latino groups that seam to think there illegal brothers and sisters should be allowed to trample our boarder and our nation's sovereignty. It may not be polite to "call" them illegals.. but nobody should fail to make the distinction, for being an undocumented worker is here illegally and that is a slap in the face of every law biding American - 1st generation American or 20th!
Many people have made sacrifices, and some great, to obtain citizenship here and these people deserve our respect and help.. undocumented immigrants deserve neither and should simply should be detained and deported.. no excuses.. no sanctuary, because anything else is a slap the face of law bidding citizens...

Bill

I think if everyone went about their business and left illegal immigration alone, the country would be in better shape right now! But, who are my to say? All immigrants helped and help shape this country. Why can't we all get along?

     I absolutely realize what a touchy issue immigration is.  My government teacher very politely asked our class not to speak of it for the fifth time today, and while I can understand her reasoning, that seems wrong.  This issue needs to be addressed.  I am only a fourteen-year-old high school student, so the overwhelming amount of material available on the subject looks quite daunting. 
     I do not know much about immigration law, and I do not know much about the circumstances that lead immigrants to settle here.  I must sound like an ignorant, uninformed girl with no right to speak about immigration, and indeed I am.  However, I would like to make a more fundamental observation.  I do not know what laws are in place, nor do I understand legal jargon, yet I know that immigrants are people, too.  I have sat next to latinos and spoken to them in their native tongue and asked them about their families.  Do you know, they sound remarkably like me, and my friends, and thousands of other Americans.  They have husbands or wives, jobs, and children.  Yesterday a six-year-old girl from Mexico read her book to me, pointing at pictures and telling me the English words for them. 
     I do not understand all the developments surrounding immigration, but I do understand that people in my school feel very strongly about this issue.  I sat in class yesterday, and listened as my fellow students spoke of the damage immigrants are doing to our country.  "The Mexicans should just go home," they said.  I wanted to speak up, to argue, but my voice was one against many.  They are sophomores in high school, trusted to drive a car and to decide their futures for themselves, and they speak without knowing any facts. I am not arguing that there is no factual basis for this argument, only that they, when asked, could provide none.  They pass on opinions purely based on prejudice. 
     One of the most moving experiences of my life occured a few weeks ago, as I sat with a hispanic friend on the school bus.  I am not a religious person, and when she said something about their Christmas traditions, I was curious to learn more.  I asked her to tell me the Christmas story.  In broken English, struggling to find the right words, she told me of a man who gave up his life so that others would be good.  She struck me as so incredibly human, so undoubtedly alive and deserving of a good future.  I know little about law, or politics, or even life.  My writing is not polished, and I cannot touch the reader with my words as I would like to.  I do, however, know enough to tell what a precious thing each human life is.  I know enough to say, "Latinos are people, too."  And I, and my hispanic friend, and the latino men and women and children living all across my county, state, and country, are glad that we are not alone.  Thank you, all who support latinos and other immigrants, for your compassion.

I believe that logic and fairness to American citizens/legal immigrants should be the priority in this matter.  It is unfortunate that so many people live in poverty in other countries in spite of all the money we shell out in foreign aid, but we cannot force other countries to take care of their own.  We also cannot absorb and afford to take care of all the illegals who come here.  Polls about illegal immigration should only include the fopinions of legal citizens, not illegals.  In my sphere of acquaintances I have yet to come across anyone who feels amnesty should be given.  We are themiddle class struggling to get by. We want our laws enforced and our own provided for.  No, our greedy politicians and corporations aren't listening, but that doesn't mean they are right.  You may want to make us a third world country but we are fighting to prevent that from happening.  I don't understand how you all feel the right to citizenship,when you are not honoring our laws.  I cannot understand why you think we don't have the right to limit immigration and believe we shouldn't have borders.  It just does not make any sense and is not logical.  I wish our President had the courage to follow former Presidents, such as Eisenhower, and end this mess.  This is a threat to our way of life, which many of you seem to feel we don't have a right to. Maybe there will be some kind of compromise we can all live with, but a total amnesty is not going to sit well with Americans, especially since it would only encourage more to come.  By the way we work hard too and do many of the jobs you claim only illegals will do.  I pray your own countries will improve, so you can stay there and prosper.  Otherwise, you should get in line and apply legally.

Hello, to all concerned, My wife came to this country in 1991from Romania on a k-1 visa and when she came here she came to marry my boss at that time who was from the same country, he told her he was divorced and invited her here under false pretences, because he was still married and was only thinking of divorce, And never informed her of this until 3 days after she arrived, and so he and his family used her to make his wife jealous, I know it sounds crazy but he and his family were complete emotional nut jobs. when she got here they stole her pass port and took her money away, they would not let her return home because she could cause a big embarrassment for their family. after that they didn't want her around anymore they tried to give her to a friend who tried to rape her. she is very extraordinarily beautiful (like Sophia Lauren)and highly educated nice, shy lady, but she knew very little English. upon hearing what happened to her I decided to protect her until she would find a way home. I was a salesman for this Sign shop and I traveled a lot and took her with me around on my sales calls, well we got to know each other and we fell in love and got married not knowing the Immigration laws, I was taught all through my life that if an American married a foreigner they were automatically a citizen, I found out soon afterward like every thing else that we learned about as far as or rights go here a pack of lies, just lies. A year later we had a beautiful daughter and struggled to make it like every young couple deals with. we didn't have money for attorneys and when we did they just riped us off and misled us in able to steal more money. the years passed Immigration lost or destroyed her file and assigned her number to 2 other people, as we awaited an answer about her invitation to return home and come back from the U.S. embassy, which never happened the lawyers could not get that paper work and this went on for 13 years and finally my wife filled for a court action to fix it that led to her voluntary deportation, either you do that or end up in a detention center. In that bogus court hearing the contract prosecutor and the judge had a joking and laughing session and good time in that kangaroo court and mock hearing under the color of federal law thus destroying my family, and absolutely no mercy or consideration other then how and when, my wife Luminitza of 13 years of marriage and the future of my American daughter Kim whom was 2 grades advanced in school and went to 2 John Hopkins University study programs before she was 10 years old, how would she function or me, especially my wife if the was family broken apart for 10 years (at that time the judge said a few months so she wouldn't appeal her case). murderers sometimes get lighter sentences then this. but here's the thing the Judge lied and said that my wife would be allowed back in a few months if she went to Romania and I filed for her return, when I did and the U.S Embassy in Romania sent me an approval, I flew over there to meet my wife and daughter and go to the Embassy and ready for their trip home. Instead my wife and I were told by the embassy she has a 10 year ban. It was so crushing to my wife's spirit that I thought my wife would commit suicide, thank god she didn't, it destroyed my and our daughter's love of America, she's an American who from the age of 4 would sign by her self the Unanimous Declaration of Independence, that she bought with her allowance, every 4Th of July on her own accord, now she See's America for what it really is, despotic heart less, corrupt and it thrives on the misery of others. That was three years ago. the court maintains that I have to make a minimum of $30.000 a year with a tax return as proof to bring her home, for 10 years that's slavery the I.R.S. is not a government agency your money is sent to the I.M.F., World Bank, there is no law any where mandating an American citizen to pay the I.R.S. or World Bank, any thing out of the money we earn from our labor. it would be involuntary servitude or debtors prison. Go look it up. So they maintain that I as an American have no rights to life liberty and a pursuit of happiness, to Marry whom I wish, to have freedom of association, The bible says in the book of Genesis that when you Marry you and your wife are one in the same, and didn't Ronald Regan and Congress 1980's voted that the bible was the principal instrument in establishing this country and its laws. it was unanimously accepted as fact and is in the law. and are we not the children of the posterity, by birth right to the U.S. Constitution those born upon the soil here in America. So if all this is true, there seems to be a denial of equal protection under the law. In American law a citizen of this country can never be exiled from this county. If this is so, and as the bible says me and m wife are one. (in the same) how is it that she has been exiled and my daughter by necessity also. As the judge told me I could go with her there to live in (poverty) is implied exile. and if my wife are one by are marriage contract by mutual consent and the courts by the way cannot interfere with contracts, with out the consent of both parties. I was deprived my property and inherited birth rights with out due process and a jury trial by my peers, it was not only my wife who was on trial but it was also myself remember my wife and I are one we own equally each other by marriage by mutual consent before God and the law , this in American Law it's Natural Law. Until our marriage is dissolved one or the other by consent or by death, The Government nor the courts has the authority nor can interfere in your or my marriage with out our consent by both parties this is the truth. so in this My 4Th, 5Th ,6Th and 9Th amendment protected rights of the bill of rights, were willfully violated, The U.S. Supreme court states that you have no rights because you don't assert your rights. its time we assert our rights, I'm going to file a law suit in the U.S. Court of Claims pertaining these issues and sue rightfully The United States for breach of covenant and demand a trial by jury, as an American I have this right and do so I wiped the word "SLAVE" of my forehead so should "You"  if you are in the same position as an American. Forget the brain (less) washed, incompetent and corrupt lawyers that buy into this diseased system instead of filing suit to remove this bogus and illegitimate tyrannical monster. they don't help you nor protect your rights, they take you money and sell you and your family down the river quikly.