Capitol Updates

By CORBIN

March 27, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Absolutely a good idea. Then after the 5% they should actually add an additional tax to the wire, 28% for federal and state taxes on the money that they wire home to Mexico. That way they wont get out of paying their federal and state taxes.

By CORBIN

March 27, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Absolutely a good idea. Then after the 5% they should actually add an additional tax to the wire, 28% for federal and state taxes on the money that they wire home to Mexico. That way they wont get out of paying their federal and state taxes.

By Not Amused

March 27, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Healthcare. Yea right. They should not be here in the first place and they are draining our healthcare plan (which does not exist), its called welfare. Its time to really do something here. This country is overrun with illigals. You cant get a job without speaking spanish. It has gone to far. They need to be sent back to their country. America has enough drain on them.

And oh by the way, these illigals do not hold jobs that americans do not want. They are building our homes (and not good quality either) and are in customer service positions (they cant speak english). Its time to give it up. This is the United States, not Mexico. If we keep it up there will be more Mexicans here then live in Mexico. I for one am sick of dealing with it.

By dg

March 27, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

If you want to charge a 5% tax to illegal immigrants to help pay for the social services that they use then let’s go a step farther and drug test everyone that applies for social services in the US. If you fail the drug test, you pay for the services. Wouldn’t that be nice?

By Bob

March 27, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

A good start. Then as suggested add federal and state taxes. It’s amazing these illegals come into our country dicate how we should run it and then send money they make here to their home country,but then expect medical and others perks to be handed to them..

By Not Amused

March 27, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Healthcare. Yea right. They should not be here in the first place and they are draining our healthcare plan (which does not exist), its called welfare. Its time to really do something here. This country is overrun with illigals. You cant get a job without speaking spanish. It has gone to far. They need to be sent back to their country. America has enough drain on them.

And oh by the way, these illigals do not hold jobs that americans do not want. They are building our homes (and not good quality either) and are in customer service positions (they cant speak english). Its time to give it up. This is the United States, not Mexico. If we keep it up there will be more Mexicans here then live in Mexico. I for one am sick of dealing with it.

By ?

March 27, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Why not, how else do you tax them? Are they paying state taxes like we do? How about adding some more for education fund that will teach them english?

By Syed

March 27, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

It does sound like a good idea. But there are lot of companies that send money, they might need additional help to verify the legality of the immigrants which ultimately might raise the cost. Also, people can use legal immigrants to send money, there is noway to stop that. Yes, we shgould tax those money they are sending, but we shouldn’t rob them. So, the idea seems good, make sure there is no loopholes.

By AMPR

March 27, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

STOP RACISM!!

“Illegal immigrants violated the law and thus need to be deported� How can you denounce the presence of illegal immigrants in America as inherently wrong (almost evil) when they have coexisted with the American people for decades and contributed to the growth of our economy.

“Immigrants need to do things right, get their visas and pay taxes�

As of right now, the process to get an American visa is ridiculously slow, expensive an inefficient. How can you ask a peasant from Latin America making less than a dollar an hour back in his country to spend 8 to 12 thousand dollars in the process of applying for a visa. Even worse, how can you ask this person to come here legally, when his visa application is obviously going to be denied because no visas are offered to people like him. Most illegal immigrants want to do things right; they want to pay taxes (and a huge number do), get papers and contribute to this society. Currently, immigrants who want to do things right can’t because the system does not allow them.

“Illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes and take advantages of our social services�

Immigrants pay sale tax and even income tax in many cases. Taxpayers may have to pay for some of their healthcare and social services, but the same taxpayers are also paying MUCH less for their houses, their food and many services thanks to immigrant labor.

“Immigrants need to learn how to communicate in English and embrace the American culture�

It is true that it would be good if all immigrants learned how to communicate in English. It would also be good if most Americans leaned how to communicate in English as well (look at the comments on most walls of this website).

A study demonstrated that 70 percent second and third generation Hispanic-Americans speak English better than Spanish.

I don’t think illegal immigrants would mind pay a five percent tax on the money they send to their countries, but luck trying to enforce that in a constitutional manner

By Tired of being PC

March 27, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

How about 100%, they have gained this money through illegal means. They should be arrested and deported, I am amazed the term illegal does not mean anything any longer.

By Mike

March 27, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

This is a no-brainer, no choice, we have to. They’re not paying their fair share of taxes and they are a burden on local school and social services, this is a way we can help offset that cost and recoup some money back into the system that they remove from the system. If we continue to make life not only easy but attractive for people to come to this country illegal, we’ll continue to see our tax dollars spent on people who shouldn’t be here in the first place.

By Nparry

March 27, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

Yes, may be a good idea. But use the money to teach English to some of the “Americans” here on these blogs who can neither spell nor write a sentence properly after all these “legal” years in their America!! Come on, get real guys!

By Van

March 27, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

Why do we even allow such businesses to be licensed.

Any local bank can wire funds world wide, if you have an account. Why do we need businesses with garish neon lights advertising wire transfers in spanish to exist.

I also agree with several folks that say the fee is too small, 5% isn’t enough.

By frank

March 27, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

I don’t agree with the 5% fee, but they should pay for their emergency room visits for a cold, hurt foot, etc. I have been to the emergency room for a ligimant illness heart related, and the ER was packed with them for minor illnesses they could see a typical doctor for. Go to Grady to see for yourself.

To solve this problem the employers have to be fined where there is no incentive to hire illegal workers. And by the was get hit by one in a car accident, and good luck…..No insurance, no mucho denero, tough luck. We are subsidizing cheap labor for health profits for businesses.

By M

March 27, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

Great idea, but, a better idea is to force the entity processing the transfer to call the police, the sherrif, the GBI or INS and have them arrested and deported! Instead of finding ways to get money from illegals, we should be enforcing the laws and the Constitution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By dg

March 27, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

The problem with this country is not the illegal immigrants it is with the uneducated US citizens that can barely read a headline much less analyze a complicated issue. The comments I read on this blog remind me of the same defensive reaction to the civil rights movement back in the 60’s. Anyone that has experience in immigration today knows that it is virtually impossible for an unskilled laborer to enter this country legally. Aside from that, there are plenty of Europeans and Asians that enter this country legally on tourist and student visas, overstay their visas and work illegally. By singling out Mexicans in this debate you show your bigotry. To those of you who rant “what part of illegal don’t you understand”, my advice is to get an education and start living in the 21st century.

By frank

March 27, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

To AMPR, your propaganda makes no common sense. I have lived in a community for over 10 years and know many illegals, and they are breaking the law. Without laws what kind of society are we suppose to have. We can’t let everybody that desire to come to this country come. Mexico (V. Fox)is ignoring their social and economic problems and dumping it on the middle-class Americans, and Congress is allowing it to happen because of the pro-business relationship with the Bush Admin.

By Miranda

March 27, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

And exactly how are the employees of Western Union supposed to figure out if the person who’s wiring money is a legal citizen? How much scrutiny are they supposed to give a state ID? This is just a hate bill dressed up to look like it really addresses illegal immigration.

By Linda

March 27, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

Why not charge a fee on the money wired home to Mexico? They are NOT paying taxes on this money….this is TAX-FREE money for them. They live with 2-3 other families, claim poverty and rape our system. Every Friday, I see lines at the bank at Kroger waiting to send their US money back home. They come here leaving their family back home, shack up with someone here for a while and send money home. They are adulterous leeches in my opinion. ILLEGAL is ILLEGAL- unlawful. Any monies “made” off these people should be put back into the health care system. It is the one “benefit” these people use to steal from us…to take care of their dambinos. It is not legally theirs to abuse.

If only our system would back us up, before we just turn the keys to our country over to Mexico….We have already rolled out the red carpet for them. Not it’s time we raised the RED FLAG and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

By mike

March 27, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Here’s a great idea, let serve our military for 4 years first, teach them our history, our english, our laws, a job skill and then apply for citizenship. Our forefathers came here for a better life, alot of them defended this country for that right.

By Informant

March 27, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

No it is not a good idea. How is an employee suppose to know that the people sending the money order is an illegal alien. By asking for papers. All the law is doing is bringing back the old Jim Crow laws, which by the way are illegal. No person in the United States has to walk around with papers to show their legality.

Furthermore for those who believe they do not pay taxes. All persons in the United States pay taxes and all persons in the United States try not to pay taxes. Look at Al Capone and Bill Campbell. I know for a fact that they pay taxes since the majority of my husbands clients are illegal, the IRS gives them a TaxId, in which they use to file their taxes. He has a tax service business.

Finally, the comments that they should learn English, is just based on hatred and ingnorance. English is the common language/official language but not every person has to know English. For example, Puerto Rico is a U.S. Terriortory (for those who have forgotten). They enjoy all the privileges of being U.S. Citizens by birth. However all of their classes and all of their natural born citizens there mainly speak Spanish. Why is that? Well we DO NOT have a Statute or a requirement that ENGLISH is the main language taught in the schools. We have always opperated that way in the “mainland” but it is not a requirement. Therefore, some of those people who you are saying should learn English, are your natural born citizens taught in your state schools.

People with taxId’s by the way are allowed to purchase homes (which means they pay for their children to go to the state schools), buy cars, and opperate businesses. If you have this nieve belief that they can all leave and your economy would be better, I have a beach front property in Nevada to sell you. Unfortunately/fortunately our economy and society would be much worst off if you pack them all up and make them leave. For those who are narrow minded, think about all the apartment complexes that would be empty, think of all the schools that were built using them as the census that would now be empty, think of all the teachers that were hired using them as the census that would now be unemployed, and so on and so on. Sometimes the ends does not always meet the means. Hatred clouds the mind and does not allow you to see the whole picture.

By Nombre: Ms.USA

March 27, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

The 5% will be a great start. It’s not fair that they don’t pay taxes and get free health insurance, they are robbing this country blind. Come one, come all, but do it LEGALLY!! Every day is not Cinco De Mayo in the USA!

By Nombre: Ms.USA

March 27, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

The 5% will be a great start. It’s not fair that they don’t pay taxes and get free health insurance, they are robbing this country blind. Come one, come all, but do it LEGALLY!! Every day is not Cinco De Mayo in the USA!

By Jo

March 27, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

WHY are they even here in the forst place? Illegal means NOT LEGAL. Duh. If they were all deported, we’d have less disease, raping of our services & resources, unemployment & breeding. They live like animals, multiple families to an apartment, with their numerous filthy kids, pigs & chickens. A breeding ground for germs. Plus they’re taking over. Every day we get a new foreign language TV or radio station & we know what language I’m referring to.

By Mike

March 27, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Nparry it’s a BLOG not an 8th grade English exam, get over yourself. AMPR there is no excuse you can come up which most Amercians will agree with you on if you think it’s okay to enter into this country illegally. It’s not only taxes, its a host of other issues that concern us in regards to this subject. Immunizations for diseases being one. How do we know what diseases some people may bring into this country, diseases we have long ago thought to have erradicated here, if we don’t have a health record of the people coming here. We’re a strong country with a strong economy, we’ll make it just fine with a legal and documented work force. You cannot play on our fears of paying three times more for housing and labor, we know better than that. We are not saying we don’t respect the contributions and work ethics of many of the Hispanic people here, most are honest and hard working and contribute a great deal to the Amercian way of life. We just expect people, guest in this coutry, to abide by our laws, just as we are expected to abide by the laws of the counties that host us, for whatever reasons.

By dg

March 27, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

Jo, your comments have conjured up a lovely mental image of the warrior in the battle against illegal immigration. Were you ever a guest on the Jerry Springer show?

By Marge

March 27, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

How can we condone breaking the law? Sure we are a country founded on immigrants… but my family did it the hard way, by doing it legally. They never expected handouts.

By Mike

March 27, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

I’m from ATL, however I have been living in Spain for the last 10 months. Open your eyes America and look pass your backyard. People came here(Spain) are from all over the world, Most try to speak Spanish and English as a 3rd langish. Many of my local friends try to expand their speaking skills by listening to U.S. music and watching U.S. films.

The europeans don’t really hate Americans, I believe it is the American close mindedness that they don’t understand.

Before anyone can judge another person try putting yourself in their shoes.

I beg all American to visit another country and try to fit in or make new friends, I’m happy to say that people will welcome you.

By dg

March 27, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Marge, you don’t know what your immigrant ancestors did. By what legal means did they come here, an H1B, H2A, H2B, or H3? Was it an I-129 E, L, O, P, Q or R? Did they come here on a K-1, or was it an I-130 or an I-140? How long did they wait for their application to be processed, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years? If immigration laws existed then as they do now most of us would be slopping pigs, digging potatoes and smashing grapes in some other part of the world.

And BTW, how long did it take for your ancestors to learn English and where did their offspring learn English? Can you answer that with certainty? I know that my German great-grandparents spoke German in the house and my grandmother learned English in the public school just as today’s immigrants learn English.

By triste

March 27, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

First of all Mexicans are not the only Latin people that are present in this society. I don’t really know where to start, well I’m a first time generation of immigrants that came to USA 10 years ago, and I do my best no to insult any thing belonging to this great country, specially their language by misspelling words like “illigals”…it’s funny how people get so defensive about their culture, rights, country, etc and they don’t even know how to write in their own language… To the person that stated that “illigals” are not building good quality homes, maybe you couldn’t afford a nicer homes which maybe be due to the fact that you didn’t have a well-paid job which maybe directly influenced by the fact that you don’t know how to spell…saying that…Can you imagine how the houses’ prices will rise if legal people build them, I’m not saying that legal people don’t know how to build a house, but what I’m trying to say is that company will have to pay legal double or triple the salary of an illegal person plus the benefits (Illegal don’t get any benefits at all, forget about 401K, FSA, health or dental ins, life ins, etc), that means house price will go up in order to make up for the cost of labor. How we should address the problem????, give the opportunity to this entire people to work here legally, don’t try to legalize any immigrant that have a criminal background, truly criminal (Rape, murder, felonies, etc) in their respective country. Don’t deport this truly criminals because the next day they will be in our frontier trying to cross the border and putting in jeopardy our people. Yes maybe I’m wrong but I don’t like the stigma that American people have about Latin people, it’s not fair for me and my children…I’m a USA citizen and by all means I will defend this country, my brother and cousin took the same plane from our country to USA and now they are in Iraq trying to defend this country, and I hate the look or treatment that American people give me when they realized either from my beautiful accent or my brown-skin color that I’m not from here. It’s not fair that people get treated like that; I know my child will be a target of the same thing only for her last name…Lets all work for peace. Let’s fight the illegal immigration to those immigrants that are truly parasites, that are drug dealer, gang members, rapist, etc we should be more concern about them …Don’t worry about those that wake up every morning to build our house, clean the hotel room, cook our food, do our yard work…Open your eyes to the really terrorists, 9/11 was not done by a bunch of Latinos.

By ER

March 27, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Before the government start making changes as far as the Illegals are concern, they should start cleaning up the millions of backlog applications in INS, these people are doing it the legal way.

And for the Illegals, they should start paying taxes since they are just acccepting cash with no deductions from they’re employers.

By ER

March 27, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Before the government start making changes as far as the Illegals are concern, they should start cleaning up the millions of backlog applications in INS, these people are doing it the legal way.

And for the Illegals, they should start paying taxes since they are just acccepting cash with no deductions from they’re employers.

By Filbert

March 27, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

dg. Please stop with your pathetic attempts to insult other writers. I’m sure you amuse yourself with your self-perceived elitist attitude, but to me you’re just a pompous blowhard. And no, I will not respond to any feeble repost you may submit so save yourself the time. As for the what part of illegal don’t you understand, apparently it is you who do not understand that concept, supposedly because you don’t agree with the application of it in this situation. I am certain, however, that you would have no problem applying the law to such issues as hate crimes, gay rights, and so forth. Your animus comes across loud and clear, so let’s stick with some facts which it seems even the opponents admit to some degree, namely: (1) it is illegal; (2) taxes are not being paid uniformly; and (3) undocumented workers do tax the already overstretched U.S. healthcare system without contributing equitably to same. So wrqap yourself up in your elistist tirades and screan injustive and racism and the usual tired, overworn “defenses” elistists such as yourself heap on anyone who disagrees with them on anything, but I for one am sticking with the facts and don’t care one whit whether the illegal individual is hispanic, asian, arab, or caucasian. It beging with the fact such individual’s illegal status results in all the other pitfalls currently being debated. And as far as education, well, let’s just say that I’m confident mine is equal to, if not in excess of, yours but at least I’m trying to look at the situation honestly and openly. Illegals do contribute without question, but the $100 question is whether their contributions equal their deductions. At this point in time, I think not and I am no longer willing to continue subsidizing the industries which typically employ illegals so they make more profits while my taxes, of which I pay plenty, are spent providing education, healthcare, etc. Have a nice day.

By ml

March 27, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

how are the employees at western union supposed to tell if people are legal or not? simple. ONLY A VALID AMERICAN ID, issued from any of the 50 states in the union, will get you no surcharge. no mexican matricular cards will be accepted. they shouldn’t be accepted in banks and shouldn’t be accepted anywhere else you’re required to flash your ID.

the 5% surcharge is way overdue if you ask me. and in this day and age, the 5% should immediately be increased to reflect the amount of damage that’s being done in the present time-frame. 5% was like, so 10 years ago.

By Peaceforall

March 27, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

I feel that a 5% tax is not the problem. It’s ludacris to say and think that illegal immigrants are causing the huge Healthcare crisis in America. To me, the gov. is trying to shift the focus off of the root cause of the large influx of illegal immigrants into this country. America is a “melting pot”…then make the process less expensive and re-evaluate the laws pertaining to obtaing Visa’s. I feel that this is why we have so many choosing to remain illegal. I visited a small rural town last week and I was very surprised to see several Hispanic families. There hasn’t been any Hispanic’s in that area for what I was told in over 50 years! So in an area like that, all the jobs that people are saying that other minorities won’t take, that is an area where jobs are few and hard to find across the board. America is always boasting that is the land of opportunity, then prove it. Help the illegals not be afraid to come forth in fear of being deported, because that’s exactly what happens when they do.

By dg

March 27, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Filbert, I may be a pompous blowhard but I do get out from time to time. Why don’t you have a nice day sitting around wondering which business to avoid subsidizing. Making that list will take some time.

By Peaceforall

March 27, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

I feel that a 5% tax is not the problem. It’s ludacris to say and think that illegal immigrants are causing the huge Healthcare crisis in America. To me, the gov. is trying to shift the focus off of the root cause of the large influx of illegal immigrants into this country. America is a “melting pot”…then make the process less expensive and re-evaluate the laws pertaining to obtaing Visa’s. I feel that this is why we have so many choosing to remain illegal. I visited a small rural town last week and I was very surprised to see several Hispanic families. There hasn’t been any Hispanic’s in that area for what I was told in over 50 years! So in an area like that, all the jobs that people are saying that other minorities won’t take, that is an area where jobs are few and hard to find across the board. America is always boasting that is the land of opportunity, then prove it. Help the illegals not be afraid to come forth in fear of being deported, because that’s exactly what happens when they do.

By Fed Up

March 27, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Forget the 5%.. arrest the criminals when they come to send their money out of the US to other countries.. then deport them.

Oh… and I don’t care if the Queen of England is here illegally.. deport her WASP behind also. Race doesn’t matter to me but the law does.

Oh.. and everyone on this board needs to take a look at immigration law in Mexico. It is extremely hard to move there legally. They don’t want us invading their country either. Guess that makes them racist too. How odd that a country would want to keep foreigners from invading. Puhleeeze!

By MissWebb

March 27, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

The main question, which I only noticed was asked once is: how in the world are the clerks at money transfer institutions to know who is and who is not here legally. This is stupid! You can be here legally and not have a green card, etc. This law is stupid and is only being considered because EVERYONE knows we have a problem with illegals (NOT just from Mexico)We’ve already been told that it is illegal to earmark this money collected for health care but our lovely politicians say they expect the state to honor their wishes and use the money for healthcare…yea right! I totally trust the politicians to make sure the money is spent only on healthcare! Who’s healthcare I wonder! Also, many workers do pay income taxes…it’s just to someone else’s number or a non-existent SSN…LOL! Many employers satisfy the law by making their employees complete an I-9…after that as long as they show payroll taxes being deducted, then everyone’s happy. There is a lot of unclaimed money the IRS is holding because no one can come forward and claim it!

By carla

March 27, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Illegal immigrants do not obey the law period. No taxes paid, driving without knowing how, no obeying the laws of the land. They will just find another way to send their money home. Remember we are dealing with lawbreakers, and they will find another way to break the law without penalty.

By dg

March 27, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

MissWebb, you are absolutely right! If we could get the meth-heads and crack addicts to start paying their share of the services that they suck up we would be rolling in dough!

By UNKNOWN

March 27, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

I think they should be charged more than 5%. They come into this counrty and they want to take over. They come here take all the jobs from us. People who have gone to to school got a degree cant even find a job. Then they want to come here and disrespect the women in this country want to be rapping women and talking nasty to them I think they are jsut disrespectful peolpe. If yousit down in car and look around you who do you be seeing driving them F150 sitting on 22inch rims or driving them expadetion on rims MEXICANS. When you go to welfare and the line is outside who do you be seeing on them line MEXICANS you might see one or two americans or afircan americans but 90% percents are mexicans. You cant even get goverment help they will denie you and give it to them. Im tired of working hard and they could be layed up at home doing nothing but shooting babies 24/7. I bet in there country they cant get away with 1/2 the stuff they get away with here.Then these americans wonder why the economy is falling cause i know why cause all of our jobs go to them. I think they should just send them back to there counrty.

By Mike

March 27, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Still here in Spain, Last year the Spanish government has this great idea, “Let’s give work permits to everyone who files for amnesty under a new right to work policy.”

Polical debate, citizen outcry, etc.

Outcome>

700,000 illegal workers now pay taxes, working legally, The Spanish government is operating with a surplus, tax base is higher.

Workers with legal papers… Priceless

By dg

March 27, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

FedUp, where are you getting your information about emigrating to Mexico? You can stay on a toursit visa for up to 6 months. Anyone interested in staying past that can choose from one of two classes of permanant or non-permanant residency, the FM2 and the FM3. It takes approximately 30 business days to process the applications. Thousand of Americans have already chosen to retire in Mexico. Many more are following suit. I hope it doesn’t become an invasion.

By Unknown

March 27, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

No, it’s not right. All this ignorant people don’t know what are talking about. Lazy people need to work hart to obtain what you can diserve. Everyone must Think and wash their full of ???? mouth before talk about other people.

By Unknown

March 27, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

No, it’s not right. All this ignorant people don’t know what are talking about. Lazy people need to work hart to obtain what you can diserve. Everyone must Think and wash their full of ???? mouth before talk about other people.

By Tamika

March 27, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

Its a Great Idea— Why Should ILLEGAL ALIENS not pay any taxes. They are the Ones Braeking the LAW!!

I say round them all up and ship them off to Iceland.

By Tamika

March 27, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Its a Great Idea— Why Should ILLEGAL ALIENS not pay any taxes. They are the Ones Braeking the LAW!!

I say round them all up and ship them off to Iceland.

By ml

March 27, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

hahaha. why would it be an invasion? did retired people suddenly become working people who aren’t paying taxes, sapping up mexican benefits while sending their hard-earned money back to the motherland?

By LawAbidingCitizen

March 27, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Why do people even care if the immigants protest by taking a day from work. We know their next step won’t be to catch the next bus back to where they came from. And I wonder if they’ve considered how much money they’ll really be making once they have to pay for income taxes and benefits like everyone else. Wouldn’t that mean an automatic drop in standard of living for them? An really the only people I see protesting are the immigrants, because we don’t want them breaking the law and contractors … because we don’t want them breaking the law. The rest and vast majority of the population is not keeping up a fuss.

By Fed Up

March 27, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Dg - go back and read again my friend. This time carefully.

In order to retire legally in Mexico (beyond the 6 months visitor visa) you have to prove investment income of 400 times the minimum daily wage (average in Mexio is $45/day). Plus, you have to prove an additional 200 times the min. daily wage per dependent. That is just to have resident alien status. You also cannot be involved in “renumerative activities.”

Citizenship takes at least 5 years if you are lucky.

A six month visitor nonimmigrant visa does not a legal immigrant make! You cannot get an immigrant visa in Mexico unless they feel that you will benefit their country. There are immigrant visas for retiress with plenty of money, for scientists, investors, artists, sports stars.. etc.

There is not legal way, however, for a US citizen to just hop the fence between Mexico and the US so that they can hang out at a convenience store looking for day labor… get paid cash for it.. and then ship it back to the US. US citizens caught doing these sorts of things are subject to prosecution and deportation in Mexico.

Mexico is a lot like the US that way… go figure!

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Wow, we Americans are so funny. I think it’s funny that even if you are an illegal immigrant, if you have the money, you can you purchase citizenship in this country. I also find it funny that a country full of immigrants doesn’t want to allow anyone else in, for fear that they (white, middle class) will no longer be the majority! That is the real issue, isn’t it? Would everyone here that wants to “send them back to Mexico” still think that if we allowed illegals to stay here and pay taxes? I think so.

By Fed Up

March 27, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

One clarification on the retiree income requirement. The 400 times the min. daily Mexican wage is monthly income.. not yearly. That is a lot of monthly income!

By Not surprised

March 27, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Gee…what a surprise. Just say the words “illegal immigrant” in good-old-boy-ville and watch the rednecks get their dander up. This xenophobia is of course veiled as concern. Reminds me of the South Park where the moronic townfolk run around screaming with a raised fist, “They took our jobs!”

Part of being the greatest country in the world means that the rest of the world will want to live here as well. The only responsible way to handle it is with that understanding and a little human compassion. It is without a doubt a daunting task, but a task that must be addressed rationally nonetheless.

Adopting the position of “Send ‘em back where they came from” is not only irrational and absolutely devoid of a workable solution, it reeks of hatred, bigotry and ultimately, shows the ignorance and lack of education of the person in question.

This may be the 21st century, but this is still ignorant, racist, uneducated Georgia. Some things never change.

By Time

March 27, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

The only problem I have with Mexicans is that the majority of them don’t like Black People. I have conducted my own research with a few of my white friends and needless to say, they came out of the store with the better deal…….The test was conducted in 3 counties involving several establishments…..

By Kaz

March 27, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

“this country is overrun” “adulterous leeches” “They live like animals, multiple families to an apartment, with their numerous filthy kids, pigs & chickens.” “Then they want to come here and disrespect the women in this country want to be rapping women and talking nasty to them I think they are jsut disrespectful people”

I, for one, am completely shocked and utterly dismayed at the level of racism on this blog today. Is it too much to ask to have an intelligent discussion without spewing forth such filth?

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Time-As a black female, I would like to say that that is idiotic.

By dg

March 27, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Okay, FedUp, let’s hope that we Americans will continue to have the financial resources that will allow us the freedom to choose where and how we live. We are extravagantly wealthy in this country. Should that change, does anyone truly believe that a poor American would sit by idly and watch their child die because they couldn’t afford a cure, knowing that they could work illegally and save the life of the child? This is reality folks and is the reason that many illegal aliens cross the border.

By gettem out of here

March 27, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

If they send Haitan back, they should send Mexicans and Cubans also…

By mike

March 27, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Well the French seem to know how to screw things up, check out www.cnn.com International Edition. I glad I don’t have to work in that country.

By mike

March 27, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Here is the NEW labor law in France.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/27/france.job.law.reut/index.html

By MissWebb

March 27, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Wow…UNKNOWN…you need to stay just that “unknown”. Your comments are what law abiders fear…you only mention negative things about “Mexicans”. Driving F150’s, etc. Are you saying no Mexicans should be able to drive a new truck? Please keep your couch comments to yourself. I’m sorry, but this issue is not about being jealous of “brown skinned” people or trying to suggest that all “they” do is have babies. Your comments sound like pretty 1950 and 1960 ish. When blacks weren’t allowed to drive new cars and trucks because “unknown, hooded people like you” didn’t want to see that. Think about your comments and what’s driving them. This issue has no room for blatant racism…this needs to be handled LEGALLY!!

By CG

March 27, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

This is something that should have been addressed years ago. We (Americans) don’t get *%$# for free, and it angers me to see that these illegals come here, bring 30+ members of their family, get free this and free that, and then don’t have to pay any taxes. I say tax the wire transfers not only 5%, but also with the previously suggested local and state taxes. This is so ridiculous…..it’s like allowing someone to come into your home, live for free, use up all the hot water and eat all your food and then you and your family have to go out and buy more (after having paid for all that was consumed already). Does that make sense to anyone? If so, you need to go live in another country, and see if they give you anything for free.

By Debbie

March 27, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

I am sick and tired and being labled racists if you are against illegal immigration and the Guest Worker program. It punishes those tha follow our immigrtion laws. People in this country illegally need to be rounded up and sent home. If they come back again illegally, they need to be arrested and put in jail. It is racist to think illegal aliens (Most of whom are Mexican)don’t have to follow immigration laws but those from African, Asian nations do have to follow the laws.

By Debbie

March 27, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

I am sick and tired and being labled racists if you are against illegal immigration and the Guest Worker program. It punishes those tha follow our immigrtion laws. People in this country illegally need to be rounded up and sent home. If they come back again illegally, they need to be arrested and put in jail. It is racist to think illegal aliens (Most of whom are Mexican)don’t have to follow immigration laws but those from African, Asian nations do have to follow the laws.

By mike

March 27, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Let,s go back 100 to 150 years ago when the Irish or Chinese workers were the whipping boys of this country’s problem.

Or better yet, blacks that didn’t have a chance in hell of a better life because of stupid people saying the same old stupid things half of you are saying.

Study your history before you show us how you slipped thru the educational system.

When you throw dirt,you have got bend down and pick it up, and that my friend is where you lose ground.

By Maggie

March 27, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

You’re all probably a team of working class losers than can’t put a sentence together but want to earn $15 bucks as hour plucking chickens. People like you have destroyed GM and otherwise mighty companies. Face it, if you did not educate yourself (or have the IQ to be educated), you deserve to compete for jobs that the Mexican pheasants can do better than you. At least they have the decency of sending money back to their families- you losers are probably enjoying incestuous relationships with your 13 year old cousin and beat the road if she gets pregnant.

By karen

March 27, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

DG you must not have any LATINO neighbors nor live in an area that they have infested.

I, too, used to think it was alright until my neighbor, my school system and the places I shop went from a diverse group of people to 40 to 50 % LATINO!!!

SO MANY SO that most of my neighbors have moved…The High School in my area is 60% LATINO..just a few doors from my house a Hispanic family has moved in and now there are 8 cars blocking my driveway most days..not to mention that on week-ends the are sometimes up to 50-60 cars around the neighborhood. I’ve called the police for disturbing the peace but they keep doing it.

SO DG when you get this problem in your area .. and can tolerate it…then you can call all the rest of us BIGOTS!!!

By CA

March 27, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

Not surprised,why don”t we just tell the entire world to shut their Countries down and move in with you and all your relatives or at least in your neighborhoods. You sir have probably never taken a close look at the slums the majority of these people create. I assure you it is not because most of them can”t do better. It is because this is the way athey choose to live and I have a problem with that. You can have them.

By fromLA

March 27, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

I lived for 40 years in LA where it is has become dominated by Mexicans. A few facts from my personal observations: Illegals are paid under the table and they don’t have bank accounts. Latinos have large families and their population grows much more rapidly than other cultures. Latino gangs escalate starting with the second generation immigrants. They start out working unskilled labor, then start taking over skilled labor because Americans always choose the lower price. For instance they will start out mowing lawns, then expand into landscaping and drive the rates down in the industry.

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

This country is full of hypocrites. Mexicans are not the only illegals, so all the Mexican bashing is what makes one a racist, not the fact that you are for this bill. It is also hyprocritical to allow someone to PURCHASE citizenship once you are here illegally, or allow certain people citizenship, just because they reached land. (Cubans) And I promise you, that almost everyone against illegals, would still be against it if they had to pay taxes. That is when racism again, comes up. The dominant culture wants to remain just that, the dominant culture. Some people are scared that our country will one day be a majority of minorities.

By Linda

March 27, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Jo has some GREAT points “If they were all deported, we’d have less disease, raping of our services & resources, unemployment & breeding. They live like animals, multiple families to an apartment, with their numerous filthy kids, pigs & chickens. A breeding ground for germs. Plus they’re taking over. Every day we get a new foreign language TV or radio station & we know what language I’m referring to.” AMEN! I’m with you on all points! Mexicans are DIFFERENT…they creep & crawl across the border and destroy ranchers & farmers homes and property by tearing down the fences and trashing the property.
LEGAL IMMIGRANTS have had to go through the proper paperwork and health requirements to enter our country LEGALLY. The ILLEGALS bring unwanted…unwanted diseases for lack of medical treatment/shots, a burden to our society and a predictable doom to our country. I feel if anyone wants to come to the United States, go through the necessary steps and come here legally. I welcome them into our country. If they WORK getting their way into our country legally, they will WANT to live by our customs. The LEGALS should resent the ILLEGALS.

Yes, I have seen first hand what happens to a neighborhood that ONE legal can buy, 2-3 families move in and 2-3 yrs down the road it is being foreclosed on by the banks. Yes, I have been afraid to go out at night(& sometimes during the day) because of the neighborhoods going downhill so quickly. Gwinnett has a high concentration of GANGS in the Norcross area. THESE ARE HISPANIC GANGS!!!! They are a product of our neighbor, Mexico….no wonder they don’t want them back. What is the problem here?
Don’t people know the difference between LEGAL and ILLEGAL?

By Todd

March 27, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Absolutely charge them 10%.In my opinion we should close the borders to all illegal immigrants. Hence the term, ILLEGAL. I wish my tax dollars were used in a positive way, cleaning up the water and environment I live in!

By Time

March 27, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

Call it what you want Nikole?? The research was done, with Real People of 2 nationalities and that was the result. By you making that sort of statement, it shows that Black people are still just as divided as they were in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. If you choose to make statements like that about YOUR OWN PEOPLE, it shows your intelligence……at least the Mexicans show than can live 15 to 20 deep in a household with no problems…..what about you???? I think you answered that by choosing to insult me…..

By Todd

March 27, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

Absolutely charge them 10%.In my opinion we should close the borders to all illegal immigrants. Hence the term, ILLEGAL. I wish my tax dollars were used in a positive way, cleaning up the water and environment I live in!

By dg

March 27, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this

CG, they are working. Would you want your employer to consider you a leech because you cash your paycheck every week?

By JR

March 27, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Rule number 1. If you can’t present an intelligent argument call your opponents racists.

By Debbie

March 27, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

All of the ethnic groups you mentioned Mike, came to this country legally. They did not slink over the border. They did not take advantage of the hospital emergency rooms, and other tax payer funded programs. They did not drain public funding. I will match my IQ against yours any day of the week. I am a network engineer and I design, build and maintain computer networks.

By mt

March 27, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

First of all most of you all are calling them Mexicans. Not, because we talk spanish you call us Mexicans. We could be from El Salvador,Argentina,Boliva,Spain,Peru, Colombia most of you all have not even freaking graduated from high school and don’t know sh..t. That’s why you are probably scared we are going to cut in line for your st…d food stamps, and all that crap.. I am tired of you all saying those Mexicans.. It’s like we hispanic say freaking Red neck..hahahah And guess what we are like c** roaches we are every where and their is s** you can do cause we will still come back

By karen

March 27, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

WHY THE HECK DONT WE JUST GO AHEAD AND MAKE MEXICO THE 51ST STATE?…PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Time-Your “research” did not investigate the country’s entire Hispanic population. I am all about human rights, not just the rights of blacks. I stand with many others in fighting for the rights of ALL people and will call out anyone for their disrespect toward blacks. But your comment makes no sense and has no basis. Karen-What you described is called white flight and proves my point, whites become uncomfortable when they are no longer in the majority. That goes for them not wanting to become a minority in this country. Sad to say, that is racist mentality.

By Linda

March 27, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Todd! You are so right! Maybe you and “CG” could teach “dg” something….like a quick trip through Gwinnett might enlighten him.

The US keeps talking about a wall….well, let’s get “them” working on the wall. Then, it can be said they did something for us…FENCE THEMSELVES OUT!

By Mike

March 27, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

I believe most of the post from Amercians saying the 5% law is unfair are the employers of undocumented workers who pay them low wages, who offer them no benfits, who use them as modern slaves all to fatten thier own personal wealth and now they are afraid. They are afraid that enough is enough and we want our contry back. They’re afraid of having to pay fines for hiring undocumented workers, they are greedy and they need punished, the employers. They don’t care about this group/clas of people, they only care about their personal wealth and fortune.

By dg

March 27, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Karen, I have Latino neighbors and they are very nice, and keep their property up. Maybe you can help me solve the problem I have with a few of my WASP neighbors whose houses appear to be abandoned.

By Susie

March 27, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Mike, when I read your comment about visiting another country and trying to fit in, I thought, BINGO.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. You don’t go to Rome and try to make it America. You do your best to fit in. When I went on an 11 day trip to Mexico in 1985 with my Spanish club in high school, my Spanish teacher would not allow anyone to go who could not carry on SOME conversation in Spanish. We were NOT to go there and expect THEM to speak OUR language, although from Mexico City to Taxco to Acapulco, we were hard pressed to find anyone who didn’t.

We didn’t go to mexico expecting them to change their country to suit us, so why this “entitlement” mentality anyone “visiting” the US seems to have?

I seriously doubt I could move to Spain (or Mexico for that matter) and expect them to give me food stamps, free medical care, and a tax free job. But why not? Wouldn’t I be “entitled” to that? No? Why not? Has anyone ever tried this? I’d love to hear how it worked out.

By karen

March 27, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Maggie …learn how to spell peasants b4 you start throwing stones…Most of you BLEEDING HEARTS ARE JUST AS IGNORANT!!!

P.S. YOU ARE IN THE CONSERVATIVE SOUTH… DEAL WITH IT!!!

By ATLNative

March 27, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

I happen to like and appreciate the work ethic that is evident in hispanic workers (legal and illegal)… however, the number of illegals has gotten to a point where it is obviously depleting many of the resources that we citizens pay for and something must be done.

If you’re going to live and work here, you better be willing to contribute like the rest of us.

By anita jones

March 27, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

To AMPR: “immigrants” should & do learn English. Illegal INVADERS, hwever, do not. I ahve no use to speak Spanish and will not. There is no reason why gov publications need to be in multiple langauges either. I am tried of the illegals being called “undocumented” immigrants—they are neither —they are ILLEGAL. They have no rights in this country other than to LEAVE. I owe them nothing, least of all the services many American CITIZENS cant get! If they love their country so much and they think they can jam it down our throats—GO BACK! We dio not want you. If you come here legally like other IMMIGRANTS, you will gain respect, other than that—-GO HOME. Why do the illegals deserve special treatment over citizens and other people trying to come her the correct way??? THEY DONT! GO HOME!

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

JR- My arguments make sense, but if you are a racist, I have no problem calling you one. Too many people here have made solid arguments and then turned around and made racial slurs.

By Mss

March 27, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

If you don’t follow the law to get here legally you are breaking the law. If you are here illegally, you have not pledged your allegiance to the US flag or the USA. Basically you are invading the USA. It is true that the USA is made up of immigrants that came to this country over the past hundreds of years. However, they fought for this country, created this country UNDER THE RULE OF LAW and didn’t have free health care, wellfare, free housing and social security that they could manipulate at my expense. If these people are such hard workers then why aren’t they working to make their own country a better place to live. If they are such hard workers, why are they in gangs and dealing drugs. There are other people waiting to get into the US leagally. Why should you butt in line. There are people who take off from work to go to the Immigration offices to renew their papers so they can stay in this country legally - (I know of an Asian woman and a British man who both had to take time off to go and do this) Why should the illegals not have to do this. There are many countries where you need a net worth of hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to become a resident of other countries. It is true that the majority of the illegals are Hispanic. That is because Mexico is our neighbor. It is not racist that when talking about illegals, the Latino comes to mind. It is simply a fact that we are overwhelmed with illegals and the majority are Latino/Mexican. There should be a big fence. If you want to get in, wait in line.
Could you imagine the bigger deluge of illegals if get even softer on the immigration laws or allow guest worker programs. Guest worker programs are a joke. Go back to your country first, and then maybe you can apply for all the right papers and your green card so you can work like the law stands now.
We have laws for immigration but they are not being enforced. THE NEED FOR TOUGHER IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT IS LONG OVERDUE.

By MissWebb

March 27, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Thanks Karen for adding a dose of humor…I like it! Let’s make Mexico the 51st state! Gotta love it!!! Now I’ve got to get back to work…apprehending illegals at ICE! It’s good to know what folks out there are thinking. Trust me when I say that although Mexican’s make up the majority of my job security, they are far not the only nationality we need to be concerned with when it comes to being here illegally. It’s just “easier” for them to get her. Location…Location… It’s all in a day’s work for me…and I still don’t care who’s “driving an F150 with 22’s”…Ha Ha

By dw

March 27,