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, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

All of you making the pro-immigration comments must be hispanic or not had bad experiences with illegals , I lived in Chamblee for 10 years , my hood went from a mix of black and white to majority hispanic, I saw all of my friends working a local restaurants lose their jobs because they weren’t bilingual , I got hateful looks for being the only black in my complex when I went to my mailbox or laundry , A black hispanic once said I was a n**** when a group of other hispanics asked him if I was dominican, they use their language to discriminate when they only want to hire only other hispanics , American contractors in Georgia are losing job bids to monopolizing hispanic contractors who use illegals to get rich, read your history books for the term “quiet invasion” , our country is being invaded and the hispanics are winning the battle , don’t fall for their mind game , they want to become the majority in America , I have had hispanic friends and supervisors who openly state that one day America will be run by latinos.

By dw

March 27, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

All of you making the pro-immigration comments must be hispanic or not had bad experiences with illegals , I lived in Chamblee for 10 years , my hood went from a mix of black and white to majority hispanic, I saw all of my friends working a local restaurants lose their jobs because they weren’t bilingual , I got hateful looks for being the only black in my complex when I went to my mailbox or laundry , A black hispanic once said I was a n**** when a group of other hispanics asked him if I was dominican, they use their language to discriminate when they only want to hire only other hispanics , American contractors in Georgia are losing job bids to monopolizing hispanic contractors who use illegals to get rich, read your history books for the term “quiet invasion” , our country is being invaded and the hispanics are winning the battle , don’t fall for their mind game , they want to become the majority in America , I have had hispanic friends and supervisors who openly state that one day America will be run by latinos.

By dg

March 27, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Linda, a quick trip through Gwinnett is insufficient. I have spent some time there and I have learned a few things from illegal immigrants.

I have learned that it is important to give 100% on your job so that your employer can keep customers. Without customers there is no job. Without a job there is no money and no food.

I have learned the importance of taking a risk in order to get ahead. Risk nothing and you gain nothing.

I have learned that you must compete in order to stay ahead in the game. If you don’t compete someone else is right behind you and gaining on you.

I have learned that money isn’t everything in life. Your family will get you through tough times and will help you when the money runs out.

I have learned that faith in God will help you in the most desperate of times.

I have learned that we all leave this world the same way we came into it.

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

The bigger issue is all of these services that Americans can’t get, but illegals do get. And if we had no illegals, Americans still wouldn’t be getting them for the same reasons they are not getting them now. Focus on health care reform for citizens and quit crying about illegals. If they were never here, we would still have problems with citizens obtaining services. But in this country it is more important to blame our problems on someone else, rather than deal with them. I know better, it’s not their fault that my sister can’t afford health insurance. If there weren’t a Mexican around, she still would not be able to afford health insurance.

By Debbie

March 27, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12017855/site/newsweek/

By Bo

March 27, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

If I am a racist because I think if you sneak into this country illegally and break the law you should be deported ASAP then call me a racist, and a damn proud one at that. I think we should have check points in this country, PROVE your citizenship, profile. We use profiling because it works and the crooks and drug runners who hate the thought of racial or ethnic profiling hate it because it works. Don’t sugarcoat this, if it looks like a rabbit and runs like a rabbit, its a damn rabbit. If you see 20 people in a van and no one is speaking English and you have 40 ladders on top of the van, its a van full of people who are here illegally and you know it. It won’t be hard to determine who should and shouldn’t be here, check for documentation like you check for insurance and drivers license. Drop this political correctness crap and tell it like it is. We make it so easy and cozy, look at the post from mt where he/she said you can’t stop us. Well, we can stop it, show it on televison where every hour of every day check points are hauling off illegals by the thousands and being shipped back across the border and show the employers being arrested to. We are a bunch of spineless overly pc wimps who have let the likes of Jesse Jackson and others run this country in the ground. TAKE BACK AMERICA. Don’t buy into this racist crap, its like the N word, ohhhh don’t say it, you’re a racist. Let them all know where they can put their double standards, with both hands.

By Debbie

March 27, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12017855/site/newsweek/

By dg

March 27, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

Bo, you’re a racist. Happy now?

By Maggie

March 27, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Karen, sweetie, I am more conservative than anyone on this blog. I just hate hypocrisy and ignorance. Being a republican does not mean that I have to like uneducated red necks- people that have no idea about how the economy works and throw out arguments without thorough analysis. Although there is truth to the problem related to neighborhoods ruined by too many people living in the some houses and making it a “ghetto�, let’s use try to achieve rational solutions- there many options. The rich people in this country are the ones that sustain the all these services with their taxes, not the miserly contribution that that a $30K a year worker makes. Let’s get real- the US needs to be able to compete in a global economy, or we will end up outsourcing everything to India and China. Then we’ll really be screwed up.

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

DW-you are making statments similar to those made about blacks in the 50s and 60s. If I have a bad experience with an Asian, they are all bad, or if I had a bad experience with a man, I should say they are all bad? I have had bad experiences with Hispanics, but that does not change the hypocritical nature of many Americans. And when the dominant culture is done with Hispanics, they will be right back to telling you that you have no right to be here unless you adopt their culture, if not you should go back to Africa.

By TES

March 27, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

from LA…you are so right. I’m tired of the rhetoric that Hispanics..”will only do the jobs that Americans will not do.” Well yeah, now that is the case. Because they have now and will continue to drive the rates down in any industry. We are told that we should now all learn to speak Spanish. I was reading a comment somewhere and that person made alot of sense. Why is it so important to learn to speak a language that’s of a country that is not so much as technologically and economically competitive such as the Japan or China. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with speaking another language ,including Spanish, other than English. I’m all for it as we are a global society. However, what type of asset are most Hispanic speaking countries as far as building global-business relationships..to our country and our economy… besides the drug trade…that we as Americans need to bend over backwards to learn speak their language. Why isn’t their more focus on learning to speak Chinese and Japanese…languages of a culture that are our true competitors. And another thing they are shouting from the far West to the far East…is that they built this country. Ok..how about you all taking those skills and going back to build your own country, therefore, making it one that’s more competitive. Paleeze…And for the record, I am a single-parent black female. The keyword here is LEGAL…The audacity to get out to protest and your a**es or most of you are not even LEGAL. Came out in record numbers..more than expected…that should of been a wake up call to the number of illegal immigrants that are actually here. C’mon people..right is right and wrong is wrong. We have laws..PERIOD…and what’s the point of laws if they are not enforced.

By Sarah

March 27, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

If Bush wants a guest worker program then it has to be a horrible idea, one that will only hurt the country and the economy. I tend to react opposite of how he suggest we act or react on just about anything the The Great Dumb One says. Send them back until they secure legal status but first make them build the wall, they are why we need one in the first place. It’s just plain and simple gotten out of hand, their numbers and needs. Cut off their food souce (jobs) and they scurry back home. They have no real vested interest here, we are a job source to them and thats all.

By Hahaha!!! 5% to help pay for Health Care

March 27, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

What a joke!!!! Exactly who would benefit from this so called, Health Care that the government is talking about? This is the only country in the world, where one set of laws only apply to certain people. One can come here illegally and break the law, but if it means votes for the Liberals, then its ok. So, basically the laws don’t apply to Liberals only Conservatives (isn’t that right (Bill and Hillary)? IF that is the case, then why can’t others from all over the world get to come here without proper papers or a visa to enter the country? Why do we even have laws here in the US when they only apply to a certain group of people. FYI, that is why no one abides by the made up laws here in the US cause they don’t apply to everyone, only some. This is a scam to make money just like the lottery is a scam that cheats the winners out of a large portion of their winnings, so the local government can waste it. Trust me, when it comes to the government, just keep an eye out for a scam and don’t believe the idea of charging 5% to pay for Health Care either. Thanks

By Hahaha!!! 5% to help pay for Health Care

March 27, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

What a joke!!!! Exactly who would benefit from this so called, Health Care that the government is talking about? This is the only country in the world, where one set of laws only apply to certain people. One can come here illegally and break the law, but if it means votes for the Liberals, then its ok. So, basically the laws don’t apply to Liberals only Conservatives (isn’t that right (Bill and Hillary)? IF that is the case, then why can’t others from all over the world get to come here without proper papers or a visa to enter the country? Why do we even have laws here in the US when they only apply to a certain group of people. FYI, that is why no one abides by the made up laws here in the US cause they don’t apply to everyone, only some. This is a scam to make money just like the lottery is a scam that cheats the winners out of a large portion of their winnings, so the local government can waste it. Trust me, when it comes to the government, just keep an eye out for a scam and don’t believe the idea of charging 5% to pay for Health Care either. Thanks

By Time

March 27, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Nikole, how can you say you are for the rights of ALL people and not just for Blacks? You have to LOVE yourself first, before you can know WHAT and HOW to fight for equal rights of all. Coretta King fought for ALL minorities, but the love for her own race and the fight for equality for Black Americans’ is what brought about change for all. Love yourself first….I KNOW you go to church if you are a black female…..pay attention to the sermons devoted to LOVE instead of SELF PROSPERITY.

By Amused

March 27, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

I bet every single one of you people currently spewing out hatred and venom on “them” spend every Sunday going on and on about how much you love Jesus, and spend the rest of the week thinking what wonderful Christians you are.

Take a look in the mirror sometime, folks - y’all are just ugly, mean-spirited hypocrites.

By l

March 27, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

I think it would be only fair thing to do to charge illegals 5% for wiring money back to their countries for their healthcare here. How are check cash places are going to ID people whether they are legal or not? Believe or not, they do support our economy by purchasing groceries and supplies by paying taxes. If illegals break the law, there should be not court hearing and wasting tax dollars. They should be loaded up a truck and dump back in their respected countries. You can’t follow the rules of the land, go back to your country. Hard working, loyal, and family oriented people should be welcomed here.

By Mike

March 27, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Oh, this is going to be fun.

Dear Debbie,

The Chinese and Africans were taken from they countries as Slaves to work in America for nothing, I don’t see how that is legal. Unless you see human trafficing as a legal right.

The United States may not be best system in the world, but it sure gives people every opportunity to made something of their life …if they want.

Sure, there are lazy people out there with their hands out, some taking advanage of a system that was set up to help the needed.

But to say it is the illegals causing our woes is like Afghanistan saying converting to Christianity means death to you. I may not have a answer, but I do have a opinion. Having the Freedom to be what you want and Freedom of expression is what makes America the Land of Opportunity.

There are many places in this World where opportunity to work, or a opportunity to education doesn’t exist.

I proud of the fact that women in America can say “Iam a Network Engineer” that wasn’t always the case. “Equal Rights for Everyone” makes the same sense as “Human Rights for Everyone.”

As far as matching IQ’s ? I not a bleeding heart of any sort. I’m a Global Economist/Trader working in Spain using “Good Ole America Know How” to capitalize on the weaker Financial Markets in the world.

By mss

March 27, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

Yep mt is scary and that is the way the majority of illegals think. We deffinately need to build a fence, ship all illegals back, and stop feeling sorry for these people. This is not a racism thing. It is a legal thing. I don’t care if the people coming to this country illegally were so lilly white that they were albino, we should ship them back and not let them freel roam over the boarder. Any polititian who suports anything other than a tough immigration policy is wanting to buy votes. I like Bush, but I don’t agree with his worker program. That would open the flood gates even further. Oh and the 5% tax thing is a mute point. The illegal should be wired back.

By karen

March 27, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

I don’t hate Latino’s…I just want this overcrowding in my neighborhood to be controlled as do most people on here B*** about the problem.

If you come to Amercia then you should be willing to accept and learn Amercian culture and NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND GEZZ!!! ’ How Many of you would go to another country to live and work and try to IMPOSE your rights on everyone around you?… GIVE ME A BREAK People… it’s not about hate,it’s about being OVERWHELMED!! METRO ATLANTA HAS OVERWHELMINGLY ACQUIRED alot HISPANIC’S IN THE PAST 5-6 YEARS and this is why we are all on here even debating this whole thing.THE 5% thing is a good IDEA!!! I just hope they work it out so that it’s easy to implement.

By karen

March 27, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

I still think that our government should JUST GO AHEAD and Start the ground work to make Mexico the 51st State. Then none of us could complain.

By mike

March 27, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

Well said Tes, Bravo.

By anita jones

March 27, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

To Nikole: You are full of it. The “blacks” as you call them, were and ARE American citizens…you have no argument!

To BO: I LIKE you ! vote for Tom Tancredo for president.

By Time

March 27, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

Anita Jones >>>> And Nikole is a “Black Woman”…can you believe it!

By DL

March 27, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

Some of you people are sick. 1. who hires these “illegals”? Those are the people who should be fined or jailed. 2. Yes, these people are in our country illegally, but have they been given an opportunity to become a citizen? 3. Why not have a one month “grace period” when anyone currently in this country illegally can go through the system and become LEGAL with no penalty? Seems like a win-win for all of us. They get citizen status, Uncle Sam gets taxes and then other things like drivers insurance would fall into place. Might also give Uncle Sam the opportunity to do a real background check to see who these people actually are. If they are not in trouble, let them become a real citizen. If not, then we have true grounds to deport them.

I thought America was about sharing. Isn’t that why it is called the “American Dream?” I am deeply disappointed in most of you.

By dg

March 27, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

If Tom Tancredo runs for president then he will take his place in history as the George Wallace of the 21st Century - Single issue candidate with the passionate support of people that are easily swayed by public opinion.

By Amira

March 27, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

First of all, most of the products that the Hispanics buy in Mexico and other countries is produced in the United States, so why charge them 5% tax just to send money? And we have advertised the so called “American Dream” for centuries yet when people in third world countries come to get a piece of that dream, we shun them and discriminate. Who do you think built your house if it’s a newer model? Who do you think cooks your food when you go munch on a burrito? Stop being prejudice and realize that Hispanics and other illegals—since they are not all from Mexico—are humans, too. And they have to survive just as much as we do. This country was founded by “illegal” immigrants. Why can’t we just get along?

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

Anita-my comment was directed at something that dw said, earlier, not as an argument to defend illegal immigration. I really don’t care about any illegal immigration laws. My POINT is that everyone is so bent out of shape over an issue that does not even matter. If we get rid of the illegal immigrants, the problems with services and health care for Americans STILL exist. And I don’t think it is ok to make racist comments about anyone just to make a point about this issue. And black people should know that better than anyone. And Time is still upset because he has no proof that Hispanics don’t like black people and I refuse to agree with him on the subject.

By JEFF

March 27, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

I’ll volunteer to taxi them back to mexico

By Question Authority

March 27, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

‘5 percent surcharge for any illegal immigrant who wires money out of the country’….can anyone explain to me how a 19 year old clerk at a Western Union store is supposed to know whether their customer IS or IS NOT an illegal alien? This is a bad idea and will only make more profit for the counterfeit business!

By Huh?

March 27, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

Last night I heard a woman on the radio (one of the Los Angeles protesters) saying deportation is “unfair” because it would break up families. Why are they wiring money back home? Isn’t it because their families are ALREADY broken up? Maybe they ought to put their families back together by GOING HOME!

By Amira

March 27, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

Oh—and to Not Amused—learn how to spell and write correct English. I know illegals who can write and speak better English than you. Now isn’t that a shame?

And yes, in response to earlier comments, some if not more than half of these immigrants do pay taxes. And the USA won’t get visas or green cards to anyone below the US border so the whole system is screwed up. All this debate is over racism and discrimination. I thought we got rid of that years ago, but I guess not. This society in today’s world really just needs to grow up and realize that our economy is improving and has been improving since the immigrants have come here to work, illegally or not. Even President Bush has mentioned the same—for once, some props to him.

By Reality

March 27, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Hispanics don’t like blacks because the hispanics work their rear off and risk their lives to be here while africans seem to spout nothing but entitlement and think they’re owed a better life because their ancestors were brought over here against their will.

I just love how asians sit quietly by, working harder than any other race, learning the language, learning how to drive properly, and they aren’t forcing Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, or any other far east language down our throats. That’s the kind of society I welcome to the USA.

By Fresh

March 27, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

This wire-transfer charge smells like something the Republicans would dream up to make a buck. If these so-called illegals are buying goods and services from legal sources, they are already paying sales tax.

Unless you add a charge to ALL internalional wires, it sounds illegal to me.

By San Fernando

March 27, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

I know that most illegal aliens get a hearing and most disappear before their hearing date. What I would like to see is an I.D. card issued while they are waiting. This I.D. card would have a RFID tag imbedded in it with photo and fingerprints enabling us to track them down (RFID’s are radio frequency identification tags capable of transmitting locations). All illegals would have 30 days to obtain the cards, anyone caught after 30 days without a card would then be deported. To obtain the cards, the illegals would have to provide a work history and places of residence here in the U.S. so as to track down cheating employers and landlords that didn’t pay taxes. $16 billion dollars will be sent just to Mexico this year. I’m one of a very few Americans living in the San Fernando Valley, a part of Los Angeles, and I work with these people every day. Even the people that do pay taxes only pay a small portion of what is owed. Everybody works under the table, and they rent out rooms with as many as 6 families living in a small 2 or 3 bedroom house. Cars a parked every where and the TV news tells people where to go to get illegal identification. Even the yearly car tags are sold on street corners. There are constantly stories of hit-and-run drivers fleeing the scene because no one has a legal license to drive and no insurance. There are very few legal home contractors here in California because they can’t compete with the illegals. I and my children would not be able to get a job in this town because we don’t speak Spanish. I take an interpreter on my jobs. Jobs out here are bought. $3000 for a referral is not unusual. They came here to flee from a corrupt and unjust government and have brought their corruption with them.

By Reality

March 27, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Hispanics don’t like blacks because the hispanics work their rear off and risk their lives to be here while africans seem to spout nothing but entitlement and think they’re owed a better life because their ancestors were brought over here against their will.

I just love how asians sit quietly by, working harder than any other race, learning the language, learning how to drive properly, and they aren’t forcing Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, or any other far east language down our throats. That’s the kind of society I welcome to the USA.

By dg

March 27, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

I am stunned by the fact that Americans will send billions overseas in disaster relief with no clue as to where the money goes but will become ballistic over the idea that a person that is working here illegally in a toxic, dangerous environment might be getting Medicaid when they become ill. There is no viable legal route for unskilled laborers to come here and work. Give them a legal means to do so and I promise you they will use it.

By Time

March 27, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

I conducted my own research…..that’s proof enough for me….YOU are the one who said I was an “idoit”….It’s righteous when you call someone a name, but other’s can’t…..I’m not going to bother commenting on you anymore. First of all, you stated you are a black woman and you belittle another person of your own race….how sickening. That’s why we are so divided…..we love everyone but ourselves. We put sweat and tears into working for the betterment of everyone else but us….Like I said earlier, that’s why Hispanics can live 20 deep, and we can’t…. I’m reading your comments and you are trying to change tones, but it’s still evident….oh yea….I’m a black female…..not a male.

By CJ

March 27, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Here’s an idea? With all the protests going on, why not send out authorities to round up illegals? Sure, Hispanics have rights too, but only if they follow the rules. When I run a redlight, I get a ticket. If I were to rob a bank, I’d go to jail and LOSE MY RIGHTS BECAUSE I BROKE THE LAW!!! No voting, no driving, no NOTHING!!!

I have no problem with people coming to my United States of America to better their lives. I encourage it. But the HAVE to do it BY THE RULES OR NOT AT ALL!!! I make peanuts for wages (similar to pay for hispanic workers) and STILL have to pay taxes.

Is there a penalty for crossing the border INTO Mexico? Why not defect to Mexico, become a Mexican citizen, then illegally cross the US border and get FREE HEALTHCARS, NO TAXES, FREE EDUCATION FOR MY KIDS, DRIVERS LICENSES, and possibly a VOICE IN GOVERNMENT!!!

Now, that’s a possible loophole to consider. Use the system against itself to gain for yourself. Right? Isn’t that really the American Dream?

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

DW-Reality’s statment is what I am talking about. When they are done with Hispanics, they will be right back to you.
I hope that this country does get rid of all illegal immigrants, I would like to see who all of you on this blog will blame next for America’s problems. When they are gone and there is still poverty, poor health care, failing schools, etc. Whose fault will it be then?

By CJ

March 27, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Here’s an idea? With all the protests going on, why not send out authorities to round up illegals? Sure, Hispanics have rights too, but only if they follow the rules. When I run a redlight, I get a ticket. If I were to rob a bank, I’d go to jail and LOSE MY RIGHTS BECAUSE I BROKE THE LAW!!! No voting, no driving, no NOTHING!!!

I have no problem with people coming to my United States of America to better their lives. I encourage it. But the HAVE to do it BY THE RULES OR NOT AT ALL!!! I make peanuts for wages (similar to pay for hispanic workers) and STILL have to pay taxes.

Is there a penalty for crossing the border INTO Mexico? Why not defect to Mexico, become a Mexican citizen, then illegally cross the US border and get FREE HEALTHCARS, NO TAXES, FREE EDUCATION FOR MY KIDS, DRIVERS LICENSES, and possibly a VOICE IN GOVERNMENT!!!

Now, that’s a possible loophole to consider. Use the system against itself to gain for yourself. Right? Isn’t that really the American Dream?

By Huh?

March 27, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Karen, there was a problem in my neighborhood with too many cars in the driveway (both Hispanics AND whites were guilty). Apparently one of the neighbors called Zoning and got the situation under control. I’m thinking that the zoning laws already on the books, like immigration laws, should be enforced. You can do this local stuff yourself—I believe they’re in the blue pages of your phone book. Just think of the housing boom when it’s one family per house again….

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

I apologize Time. I was not calling you an idiot, I was saying that your comment was idiotic, and I still think so. I am from Texas, and have had many dealings with Hispanics. I think that it is unfair to say that they don’t like black people. I wouldn’t accept someone making a blanket statement about black people either. I am not changing tones, discrimination is wrong, no matter who does it, and as a black female, you should know that better than anyone. Have you ever heard someone make a generalization about black women that you didn’t agree with? If you have, that is how Mexicans would feel about your generalization about them.

By TES

March 27, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

Reality….And your supporting facts for those utterly ridiculous comments are????…Please… it’s been proven over and over again that whites are the number one beneficiaries of government public assistance. Maybe now running neck and neck with the Hispanics…..

By Time

March 27, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

Thanks Reality for proving my point…..Hey Nikole….you don’t have to agreement with me…..we have someone who just proved my point!!! You gotta luv it!

By Nel

March 27, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

Mike, you say the should be put in our military. Have you noticed the last name of many killed in the Iraq war? They are already in the military laying down their lives for this country. What about all the non-Mexicans living here illegally? The government has what they want because everyone is bashing Mexicans and ignoring all the others that are here because they are easier to spot because they look different. How about they people who look like you and me who are illegal? I don’t hear anyone saying “all illegals”.

By dg

March 27, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

Sure CJ, I would like to see how many days you would last walking through the Arizona desert without food and water. Why don’t you just go ahead and give it a try.

By Jo

March 27, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Linda! I’d NEVER live in Gwinnett although the problem is so wodespread, you can’t get away from it ANYWHERE. Linda, did you ever have illegal immigrant men blatantly try to pick you up right in front of your husband? I have. How blatantly rude & arrogant is THAT? And they are so persistant. “No” in Spanish means the same as “No” in Englsih; duh…These people are so loud too. They scream instead of talk & blast that zillion-decibel “music” (?!?) Their unkempt front yards can rival that of any redneck. Of course, we have the gang problems. 20 years ago, I lived in a lovely apt. complex in Decatur. Well, I’d never live there NOW. You know, for a while, my husband was out of work & I cannot begin to tell you how many jobs he was turned down for, that he ordinarily would have been qualified for, because he doesn’t speak Spanish! THIS IS AMERICA!! Or, at least, it WAS. I bet if we took away their welfare & food stamps, they’d scurry back to their filthy, Third-World cesspools like the cockroaches they are. DG, sentimental slop like “love” & “family” do not pay the bills or create self-reliance. Anyone that dirt-poor has no right to breed anyway. And, Amused, I don’t claim to be a Christian because I’m NOT, I’m Jewish. I suppose that makes me subhuman slime..HOW who’s being racist, huh?

By Time

March 27, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

I have, and it doesn’t offend me…what offends me is when my own kind does it. What offends me is that we have lost focus on US as a whole, instead we are focused on US as an individual. As you can tell, there are a lot of different people on this blog, when you make a statement to degrade me, and you announce who you are, it just validates what THEY say about us. You don’t have to like what I say, just don’t join hands with the other side and forget who YOU ARE in the process. Then we wonder why is racism so apparent….shoot we are helping keep it alive by not caring about our own people.

By Nel

March 27, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

So they need to show a valid ID. Does anyone really think that a Western Union employee will be able to tell when they place is full and they stay in business because of these transactions? Where do you think these people get the bogus US ID cards from. All this will do is create another cottage industry for prople who use these people to make money by selling them good looking fake ID. I still wonder where the federal/state deductions go when employers take money out after hiring them with their bogus SS numbers. I’m surse the Feds aren’t tripping over themselves to give that free money up.

By Linda

March 27, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

dg.

If you’ve been through Gwinnett and still don’t agree there is a BIG PROBLEM?? I lived there. My neighborhood went from middle-upper class to section 8 housing. I was on first name basis with code enforcement…8-12 cars not running, 2-4 families in one house, running car repair businesses in their driveway. I had a folder about 3 inches thick.
I did my best to help clean it up. But in the end sold to hispanics at a loss but had to get out. That was a BIG problem…who would qualify in their family for the loan? Someone was legit. It was strange because some family member had to go back to Mexico for medical treatment! Sounds like a crock to me when they are draining our system dry.

If anyone doubts me, go to the health department off of Indian Trail in Lilburn ANY DAY. You will see many families, 2-4 kids and mama’s pregnant again. Or better yet, I have seen several young girls not even 16 in there for pregnancy tests. I DOUBT IF YOU WILL FIND ONE THAT IS AMERICAN OTHER THAN THE STAFF. They are there for WIC and pregnancy tests(I have seen the tub-full in 1-2 day)and whatever they can get. Why should they quit reproducing when it’s not costing them to run up their poplation in OUR COUNTRY…IT’S COSTING US…THE CITIZENS-LEGAL CITIZENS OF THE US. They want to build their population at our expense and expect us to take care of their little new “legal” citizen at our expense. For God’s sake, if YOU can’t afford them, the health department would be more than happy to give birth control out. The vasectomy signs are in english…they should be in spanish.

Hasn’t anyone else been to any health department and seen how many Americans are there for help?

By concerned citizen

March 27, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

This is one of those times when I’m ashamed to be a white person. When is white America going to stop treating non-white people like animals, to be herded back into their pen of poverty? Isn’t it bad enough that we tried to ethnically cleanse and relocate the native Americans? Isn’t it bad enough that we used african Americans as cattle on plantations and then shoved them aside into an alternate America for over a 100 years? Now they want to discriminate and destroy the lives of latin americans who are simply seeking out a better life. This is a disgrace. Not one single white American is indigenous to this continent, but we act as though we were endowed with some sort of royalty that allows us to trample on those we deem as lessor than ourselves. What a disgrace!!

I for one do not think we should be hanging up a sign that says “The American Dream is sold out, go home.” I say we keep the “illegal immigrants” and deport this right wing Nazi republican government. At least these illegals serve a purpose and do the job they’re asked to do. Can’t say that about this government, local, state or federal. America has become a joke and a disgrace.

By Van

March 27, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone defending people that come into our country without proper papers?

Why would someone spend money so criminals can sneak them across the border, but won’t use the money to get here legally.

Why would we as a society allow all the entry level jobs to go to illegals instead to the working poor.

Why would we put up with the fraud of stolen or phoney Social Security cards.

Why are banks catering to illegals, helping them buy houses.

Why, with all the protesters in Los Angeles, didn’t the ICE folks pay them a visit?

Why are so many folks willing to let people break the law?

By ml

March 27, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

dg: we should all just go ahead and give it a try at defecting from here and illegally sneaking back in.

it ain’t hard when the mexican government gives you a booklet on where to go for food and water…..

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

Time-No one is degrading you. It sounds like you agree with me. You are the one helping to keep up racism by saying that Mexicans don’t like black people.

Jo-You need to get over it, honey. The sad part of your statment is that you are no longer referring to illegals. You are just talking about Mexicans in general. That is the same way white racists talked about blacks. That makes you a racist, which then makes you subhuman slime.

By Dick

March 27, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

**Here we go, let’s see what Theodore Roosevelt said back in 1907….Almost 10 years ago. “In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. BUT this is predicated upon trhe pesons becoming in every facet and American and nohting but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but ONE flag, the American Flag..we have room but for ONE language, and that is the English language..and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the AMERICAN people. He didn’t miss it at all, did he?

By Nel

March 27, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

DW, what you may not know, and this was brought out in a study done with Hispanics, Asians and soem other immigrant groups in NYC that they believe the stereotype that black males in particular, are dangerous. This is not me saying this, but quoting the study. Most immigrants grow up with the dream of coming to America and soak up everything American. Unfortunately, they typically only see the stereotyping that is prevalent in the media, the of course, they believe it. Therefore, they probably perceived you as the stereotype they have grown up seeing and being warned about as dangerous. Unfortunate, but that’s how the world is. Outside of the US, people believe what the see of America in TV shows and in movies. We sell it, they believe it and want to partake by any means necessary.

By Accountant

March 27, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

NO it’s morally wrong, we don’t need more taxation to address a problem created by Corporate America. Our staggering health costs it’s not caused by illegals alone, but by uninsured people who can’t afford health insurance.

I am an accountant and I prepared a lot of tax returns for illegal aliens. Big misconception is that they don’t pay taxes. Well, THEY DO - most of them Do with a tax id # provided by the IRS. It’s the only way they can prove they have been living in the States and paying their taxes for a period time so the next time the US Congress (Reagan was the last one, Bush can be next one) grants an amnesty they qualify for temporary status.

Mos illegals work with bad SSNs paying payroll taxes at the Federal level without ripping any benefits.

So to say they don’t pay taxes - IT’s a very ignorant statement. They work hard for their money, sometimes they tell me how AMERICAN employers exploit them and don’t pay them the wages they were promised and how they are injured at work without any compensation.

Federal Law already stipulates the illegal aliens don’t qualify for Medicaid/Medicare except for Emergency and pre-natal care. So when they seek emergency care, most of the time it’s for work related injuries that should’ve beeen covered by their employer’s disability insurance not at taxpayers’ expense.

The surcharge does not address the ROOT cause of the problem, which is Corporate greed and unscrupolous employers not wanting to pay decent wages and taxes.

Punish the employers and we shall see less illegal aliens crossing the border because there will be less people willing to hire them.

By Kaz

March 27, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Jo-

“who’s being racist?”

YOU ARE. I cannot believe that you just called an entire group of people cockroaches. Maybe you should go spend some time in a third-world cesspool of filth and gain a little perspective.

By Van

March 27, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

“The U.S. Justice Department estimated that 270,000 illegal immigrants served jail time nationally in 2003. Of those, 108,000 were in California. Some estimates show illegals now make up half of California’s prison population, creating a massive criminal subculture that strains state budgets and creates a nightmare for local police forces.”

By all means let them in, take jobs and send that money home, it is good for America -

By dg

March 27, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Jo, do you really call yourself a member of the tribe with that attitude?

By Nikole

March 27, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Time-Did it ever occur to you that you are helping to keep up racism with statments like “Mexicans do not like black people”?

By Earl

March 27, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this

Reading what new, unlawful, silly, goofy, useless law the Georgia Legislature is proposing today makes for some very funny reading. So, how do we know who the illegals are? Are we going to check passports for every person who sends money- or just check if the person looks Hispanic? And what if they have forged documents or have a legal resident send the money for them? It takes the federal officials and the courts years to classify someone as an illegal…but Western Union is going to decide in 30 seconds? Honestly, Georgia is becoming an international laughing stock…while these ‘feel good’ laws might please the local brain dead bumpkins, the affects can harm the economy of the state. Note to legislature…leave Jane Fonda alone, get out of womens wombs, read the Bible in Church and deal with immigrants in at least a semi-rational manner…in other words, stop pushing the ‘Redneck Agenda’ and get on with the business of the people!

By j.t.

March 27, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Absolutely!

I know illegal immigrants pay sales taxes for goods they buy, but LEGAL citizens are forced to pay far more than just sales taxes.

I hate taxes, but if I’ve got to pay them, then everyone should.

By MRC

March 27, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

I think that this isn’t where the problem needs to be fixed. I’m sure illegal immigrants really don’t care if they have to pay a higher surcharge. They still are in the U.S. Make them leave and go through the legal system correctly. Make them pay taxes. It’s not fair that my hard-earned tax dollars are used to give them medical care of education benefits. I have children and other relatives that can use that more than these people. Stop making excuses for them and start holding them accountable for their actions. Make them felons and then drop them back off on the other side of the border.

By Nel

March 27, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Time: here is the viewpoint from another country that was inundated by Asian (Kenya, Uganda) immigrants who also lived 10-15 to a house. They soon bought any house that was for sale in the neighborhood for the asking price and in cash. They also soon purchased the movie theater and about everything that was for sale. Don’t just look at how many in the house and think that they are stupid, nasty, etc. These people live like this because they are saving for SOMETHING tangible, which in most cultures means property. In most cultures, what you own shows your wealth. Unfortunately, nobody realizes that this change will ultimately occur and money talks the loudest in this country.

By fayettevillian

March 27, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Why do we want money earned (probably under the table with no taxes paid on it!) shipped out of this country? And sent home to (probably) Mexico? Mexico has such wonderful natural resources that they could use to build a great economy if they had didn’t have such a corrupt, incompetent government (Vincente Fox - this means you!). Mexico and countries south of there are benefiting big time from our largese and naivete.

And why are we listening to the whining of the business community? “We need cheap labor!” Illegal immigrants are being paid under the table with no taxes deducted - and businesses are able to evade social security matching taxes, unemployment taxes, etc! Why are we permitting massive evasion of laws that people in this country fought for to protect its citizens? So that some businesses can make bigger profits without paying their fair share? Who are businesses paying off so that they can keep this scam going? (As they say in the cop shows - follow the money!)

And yes - Bill Campbell didn’t pay income taxes. And with any luck, he’s going to jail for it! Should we ship the non-tax paying illegals to jail with him? Sounds good to me.

By Nel

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

Nikole, the problems of just about every society gets scapegoated whenever possible. Nobody wants to look at the root causes of the problems. Right now, the schools in GA suck, but nobody is trying to fix these problems because it’s easier to talk about those nasty Mexicans taking over and ruining things. People suffer from miopea and can’t see beyong their own noses, worse still, they have a heard mentality and this is the cause celebre this elections season. President Bush is on his way to Mexico and you can bet he’s not threatening them with sanction if they don’t stem the tide. President Fox won’t do anything either because there are billions to be made on these people from both sides of the border.

By Like that is going to work

March 27, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Saying goes “There is no such thing as a free lunch”. Hard working Americans are paying for lunch. 5% on wired transfer? Yeah, like that is going to work. Who’s in line to get rich by that scheme? It will eventually get shuffled just like the Katrina evacuees. Pay taxes like all the other legal tax payers and then will talk. Right now, you are illegal.

By ml

March 27, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

dg: i’d wager anyone who can read would be able to get across the border effectively.

shouldn’t be hard since the good ol’ mexican government hands out manuals telling you where food and water supplies are.

By JR

March 27, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

To Ned. You are allowed to claim enough deductions on your W2 so that neither federal or stste taxes are deducted.

By l

March 27, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

Wow, Jo. You sound like Hitler at Berlin. Did you to have a solution or are you part of the problem?

By Nel

March 27, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Jo, your comment “if we took away their welfare & food stamps, they’d scurry back to their filthy, Third-World cesspools like the cockroaches they are. DG, sentimental slop like “loveâ€? & “familyâ€? do not pay the bills or create self-reliance. Anyone that dirt-poor has no right to breed anyway”. You say your are Jewish, do you know that there Jews right here in this our country who produce like rabbits according to their beliefs and we the taxpayers pick up the welfare tab for them. I was in a hospital room with one of these ladies who’d just had #8 and called home for them to bring the medicaid card to the hospital. Stop the crass comments because this type of lifestyle covers all cultures/religions. There is enough decay right here in our country with native-born who’ve never worked a day in their lives, don’t intend to, and “breed” and live off the government for generations.

By Huh?

March 27, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Has anyone ever seen a fake license ID? The funniest thing I think I’ve ever seen….Here’s this Mexican woman (dark skin/eyes/hair) showing me her license (blonde/blue-eyed/very thin). This was NOT the same person, but she insisted it was. Later, my husband said that she DID have blonde hair at one time…I guess enough bleach will make anyone blonde, and you couldn’t blame her for trying to be conscientious. But I guess that was a few years back when getting caught was more of an issue.

By Dirty Sanchez

March 27, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Hola muchachos, I love to take all the money I make in your wonderful country and send it all back home to my familia, and since I’m not here legally in the first place, I don’t pay income taxes of anykind and I get free health care and eduction for my 16 children. We don’t believe in the condoms for the all the sex we be having in our 1 bedroom apartment. There are 20 of us living in the apartment and we pay $500 each to live there. I LOVE this country….viva la USA!!!!!!!!!

By c

March 27, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

JO- “they’d scurry back to their filthy, Third-World cesspools like the cockroaches they are.” wow… I am Colombian and legally here for over twenty years. I speak both english and spanish, have a beautiful home and drive a luxury vehicle. I probably took the job your husband apply for. Hate me!

By Amazed

March 27, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

How in the world did a couple of people turn this into a black/racism topic?? News flash…everything is not about you or your race. Just because we do not agree with you, does not make us racist. It only means that we can think on our own and we have our own opinions. Do I hate all Latinos? Absolutely not. But I do think they should have to follow our laws when they want to enter our country. COME ON PEOPLE!! It’s just common sense. Why should we give them freedoms that we do not give ourselves? Why do we give them freedoms that we can’t offer to our children or to our family? It’s ridiculous that it has gone on this long.

By Stop Hiding

March 27, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

“No one should claim that immigrants are a burden on our economy because the work and enterprise of immigrants helps sustain our economy,” George W. Bush, President

“No one should pretend that immigrants are threats to America’s identity because immigrants have shaped America’s identity.” George W. Bush, President

Just say the real reason why you don’t want the Mexicans (Among the Asians and other ethnic groups that keep a low profile)here- RACISM and Bigotry!! and I will respect your opinion.

For those who oppose Illegal Immigration for legitimate reasons - You are a 100% Right - We need to fix the system.

By Shar

March 27, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

What part of illegal is everyone missing here? They are taking jobs Americans will do if they pay enough. Instead we have them moving into older neighborhoods living 3-5 familes to a home and ruining the neighborhoods. Send them home and get Americans back to work.

BTW April 17th is Americans protest day.. What will happen if we all stay home from work, refuse to buy things, and refuse to pay for all the hand outs to illegals?? That is our day.. lets take to the streets and march too…

By shar

March 27, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

Forgot to mention, we do not need more laws. This is simply stalling for time and trying to pretend to be doing something before the elections in 06. We have laws on the books to fine employers for hiring illegals, we simply need to enforce them.. its called raids.. and they are illegals.

By delois

March 27, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

Attention all legal Gwinnettians - all you need to do is sign up for the daily Community Watch@ScanGwinnett.com email alert to see just how many illegals are getting arrested in Gwinnett County for crimes with an additional charge of no license/never had. These are the ones messing up our country - and they are not the ones sending home money so your 5% surcharge will not really affect the people that need to be deported.

By Buddy Taylor

March 27, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

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.They have from 8-10 people in a 2 bedroom apartment and God knows how many live in a house go to APL in Lithia Spring the place would shut down to to the illegal Mexican there ..SAD

By Linda

March 27, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

Jo, the hispanic men “undress” you with their eyes…makes me sick. My neighbors from Romania had to stop walking in the daytime because the hispanics in the neighborhood would try to pick them up or harrass them. My previous post never made it. People check out the health department in Lilburn off of Indian Trail..rarely an American, except for the employees. All with 2-3 in tow and pregnant, getting WIC, shots, or better yet pregnancy tests(tubsfull)…ALOT of teenage hispanics too. They think they can bring their new little US citizen into this world at our expense and they are ILLEGAL to begin with. I have had a file 2-3 inches thick with Zoning and Compliance. They have junk cars all over, 8-10 and 3-4 families in one house…running a daycare for their friends, blasting car radios in dark tinted windowed cars racing up the street at all hours.. let their kids run all over. Where I used to live, about 1/4 of the cars had “dealer” tags on a piece of crap, paper tags “applied for” (usually spelled wrong) or an out of date tag. Rush hour was bad at 8-8:30 during the summer. Graffitti was everywhere..not long ago they busted the kids that were doing it in the broad daylight on Jimmy Carter Blvd. The neighborhoods were painted all over.

I don’t know why other racial issues are being brought out. This is all about ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS & WIRE TRANSFERS.

ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL and it is a much known fact, the majority, if not all, are from Mexico. The majority of people who come here LEGALLY respect our values and learn the language for the most part. Be LEGAL or LEAVE and come back legally.

They need to pay something for what they are getting. They are sending tax free money back home where it is considered a fortune. They are using our money to send home to improve their homes and their country until they can finish either taking us over or leave.

5% TAX is a nothing compared to what they are costing us. Check out what they have cost California in just the last few years…it’s coming Georgia.

By Robert Gama

March 27, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

First of all, Time, you are an idiot, and you have proved this with your ridiculous arguments devoid of all logic and sense. With your so-called “study”, was it a random sample? Was there a control group? What instruments of reliability were used? What a ground-breaking study you have conducted, Time! Perhaps, you should submit it for publication. And I don’t see how Nikole calling you out is demeaning her own race. Stop being so narcissistic. She’s criticizing you for your ignorant, racist comments. And by the way, I’m Hispanic and most of my friends are black. I guess I am what you would consider a “statistical outlier”, right?

By CB

March 27, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this

All right guys dont worry about any money leaving out of this country but look at the number of multi international American companies are located in Mexico and any other countries coca cola,pepsi,GMAC,chevrolett,IBM,HP, And I can list at least thousands that operate outiside the United Estates,Now do You think they invest they profit there? You are Wrong, any money profit they make is return to the USA thats why imigrants here are alowed to wire money to theyre country, Other question why someone is so pick against Mexicans? since all that Bush worry about is the midle east people thats trying to kill every (American), Dont know also why You keep calling us latinos since we are also Americans(North American,South American,Central American)Since Someone is born on those Americas They are also called American, No much to worry about how many Imigrants also work for companies and pay taxes but never file for taxes return why billions of dollars the IRS keep every year can also be return to healt care sitem, Thanks God that only a minority of frustede people are against imigrants, becouse they cant do any bether tham an Imigrant can.

By meme

March 28, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this

Why should CJ walk through the Arizona desert without water? He isn’t trying to do anything illegal.

By Craig

March 28, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

First, let’s get the people who are citizens paying taxes! You got to be kidding me. And a “portion” of the 5% surcharge goes to healthcare? What about the other? Maybe it’ll go to the able body citizens who are sitting at home watching Jerry Springer right now. You know, we need to raise their standard of living to at least the poverty level.

By Kove

March 28, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

“Most illegal immigrants want to do things right.”

Illegal immigration is a crime under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a). By definition they do not want to “do things right.”

“Anyone that has experience in immigration today knows that it is virtually impossible for an unskilled laborer to enter this country legally.”

If so, that is because it is a policy chosen by the people through our democratic process. Illegal aliens do not have a right to unilaterally overrule the electorate.

“To those of you who rant “what part of illegal don’t you understandâ€?, my advice is to get an education and start living in the 21st century.”

Please explain the principle that makes it okay to break the law. I’m willing to listen. Until then, I believe we still have a Constitution, and that it allows very specific, democratic ways to pursue policy changes. Ignoring the law is not one of them.

“Here’s a great idea, let [them] serve our military for 4 years first, teach them our history, our english, our laws, a job skill and then apply for citizenship. “

This is the start of a good policy: one that requires people who want to immigrate badly to first show a committment to our nation and a willingness to learn our culture, including our language. I don’t know that armed services should be the only avenue for earning their way in.

By lew Morris

March 28, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Yes,but it should be 10% and go up every years as our medical goes up. Lew

By Kove

March 28, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

“Why not have a one month “grace periodâ€? when anyone currently in this country illegally can go through the system and become LEGAL with no penalty?”

“I thought America was about sharing. Isn’t that why it is called the “American Dream?â€? I am deeply disappointed in most of you.”

DL, do you really support a policy that says anyone who manages to slip accross the border (i.e., break the law) without getting caught gets rewarded with citizenship? Every modern country sets immigration policy for security reasons, economic reasons, and even political reasons. Would you really throw that away, along with the democratic consensus that stands behind the immigration laws being broken? Finally, in what way is your policy significantly unlike saying anyone who can manage to sneak out of the grocery store with a loaf of bread should be allowed to walk back inside immediately and be given a receipt as if they had paid?

It’s one thing to say that, as a matter of policy, we should have more open immigration. It’s quite another to sanction law breaking.

By Nate

March 28, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

[http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm]

First off, take a look at this website. Look at the adult unemployment rate. Then, take a wild guess at how many illegals are in our country. Estimated at 350,000 in Georgia in the construction industry alone. That is 350,000 jobs that could be had by LEGAL US citizens. Now then, I have seen blogs that say things to the tune of “what about immigration way back when” or “what kind of immigration papers did your great grand-parents sign?” These are ridiculous questions. It doesn’t matter what types of immigration papers they had, but that they had them. 200 years ago, it was easier to get into this country “legally” because we were a country that was in the process of building our future. In the 1700’s, a lot of people were coming to this country for two reasons: religious freedom (where the heck has THAT gone?) and financial gains, exactly what illegal immigrants are doing now. I have also seen blogs saying something to the effect of “they’re just trying to make a better living for themselves.” That’s may be true. That’s what we are all looking to do. But then again, so are drug dealers, pimps, and thieves. They’re all trying to make a better living for themselves. What do they and illiegal immigrants have in common? One word…ILLEGAL. No matter how you look at it, if you’re a halfway educated person, illegal is illegal. Some don’t feel that smoking weed is “so bad,” and that may be true, but it’s still illegal. Working to send money home to a different country so that your family back there can be better off is great! But, do it legally. “But it takes a long time and a lot of money to do it.” So what? Most of the illegals I have seen (I work in the construction industry) are between the ages of 19 and 25. They’ve got their whole life ahead of them. If it takes “so much money,” let their family who is already here living LEGALLY send them money. “They can’t afford to get citizenship legally.” The US should make it so that they can’t afford NOT to do it legally. 5% this and sales tax that (and, btw, no, most of them DON’T pay income tax. Nor do their employers pay taxes on them. It’s cheaper for employers to pay “cash under the table” than to pay taxes on employees.). Round them up, send them home, and make them do things the LEGAL way. If we allow them to come here, and make their living illegally, how, then, can we justify putting pimps and drug-dealers in jail? A crime is a crime. Illegal immigration is just that…illegal.

By ILLEGALS SUCK

March 28, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Jo, I agree with you on all your comments about how rude and nasty they are. I’ve had disgusting comments and looks from the lowlifes and just the other day I was at a gas station, there was a dirty old van next to us, with a bunch of hispanic men in it, and they were leering at my 11 year old daughter. So much so that she was uncomfortable and said “those people in that van are scaring me, they keep looking at me scary”. What do you do? What can you do? They are disgusting. Call me a racist, I don’t care, but sure there are good hispanics, but unfortunately I’ve mostly come across the bottom of the barrel. And the term ILLEGAL used to mean something. Come here legally and we’ll welcome you with open arms. Come here illegally and they should be sent right back with hefty penalties that will keep them from trying again. And the Amercian citizens who employ ILLEGALS are just as disgusting in my book. Deport them right along with them! Enough said!

By BA

March 28, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Okay, try building a nice home to raise your family in. Two years later, a mexican family moves in accross the street. Suddenly there are 20 + people hanging out watching you and your wife which is troubling when you have to go out of town for business. They get a pit bull and then tie him to a tree. He gets off from time to time and mauls a few neighbors dogs - very troubling when your two year old wants to go outside to play. Perception is reality- your home value declines. Need I go on? Oh yeah, my next door neighbor was greeted by police because a domestic abuse complaint was called in (They had the wrong house - yes, you guessed right. They were called to the Mexican’ s home). It is not right to hate, but my advice is to move to a high price neighborhood with strict covenants to protect your family and your property values. I realize that this has nothing to do with the tax for money being wired, but I had to get it off my chest.

By ProudAmerican

March 28, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

Illegals are a drain on our society. Take a stand before it’s too late. http://www.thedustininmansociety.org/

By RWH

March 28, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

In every comments there are truth. We who work in America are being taxed to death! We are born citizen…there has to be justice, honest, truth accross the board, you can’t punish american citizen and not punish the illegal immigrants; they must hold their own if they work and live here; their wages should not matter because it is legal wages belong to these United States business and they are often cut a tax break. We must pay taxes and we must file our income taxes; if illegal immigrants want to be excuse from this, then, they must return and apply legal for citizenship status. People are making some very good points about this matter. None of it is exeration and it must be handled in a manner that includes USA Immigration Laws.

By Jason blair

March 28, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

charge them 5%, they already work like SLAVES for our companies making 6$ dollars an hour,and then call the police throw them in jail and deport them, HOW ABOUT we also get illegal immigrants and use their hearts,kidney,blood to transplant on americans ?? Ohh yeah baby !! we’re are americans we CAN, Right ? Do some of us sleep well and night or even wonder why Americans are being rated so much under the eyes of the world .. ? ?

By RA

March 28, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Check out the Dustin Inman website. It brings about a point as to why we need for those living here to be legal. Without fingerprints, IDs, etc., it woud be very difficult to find someone that has committed a crime or run from the scene of an accident. Instead of pouring out hate or sterotype of why hispanics should not be here, try and produce evidence of why we need these laws and for them to be enforced. I’m open ears for intelligent input.

I have worked in the landscape industry for a number of years and have dealt with the frustrations that hispanics, employers, and American employees go through. One thing I have found is that many illegals would take the step to be legal if it was not so expensive. The root of the problem is government, both U.S. and hispanic, but mainly U.S. The present administration did not start it but can certainly do something about it. There needs to be more opportunity for Visas to be available. There are jobs waiting with employers that want to do things the right way. For those that want to respond with “give the job to an American”, I have seen that route taken with less than desirable results.

Hispanic worker= “Can I work more hours for you?, I will work hard for $9.00/hour”

American applying for same position=”Can I work the least amount of hours possible with as little effort possible for $15.00/hour, did I mention I have back problems?

Customer of company=”Why has my Landscape Service gone up in price and why does it take so much longer for the work to be done? Sometimes your workers show up and do the bare minimum, I think I’m going to drop you and hire someone else.”

This is the reality of hiring Americans in place of immigrant workers.

By Ellen Anderson

March 28, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

We have always depended on immigrants to strengthen our work force. It is wrong to use them and gain adavantage from their contribution and not allow them to become citizens.

By Ellen Anderson

March 28, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

We are an immigrant nation and we cannot make criminals of the immigrants. They contribute to the economy and deserve to be accepted.

By peedee

March 29, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

When money is sent to another country, the local economy(businesses) loses potential sales revenue. The local governements lose potential sales tax revenues. In many cases, these are illegal workers who have really made money illegally. Is 5% really a fair tax? I think this should be substantially more, at least 15%.

By Ursula Lanoire

March 30, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Ah, the smell of nativist racism in the morning.

So it’s so horrific that Latinos send money to relatives abroad, eh? I’ve donated hundreds of dollars to charities that operate in other countries-does that make me terrible? I regularly purchase imported goods? Does that mean I’m stealing from merchants in my town or state that have a right to the money? I’m curious.

(And don’t insinuate I’m biased. I’m not a Latina, and I don’t know any Latinos an elementary school friend I’ve long since lost contact with.)

By Ursula Lanoire

March 30, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

That should read “… besides an elementary school friend…”.

By L.R.

April 6, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

If they want to be here then legalizing themselves should not even be an option. We have homeless people(american citizens)yet illegal immigrants get welfare, food stamps, etc. They are starting their own businesses with no legal papers. They want American rights yet none of the responsibility. Who wouldn’t want to live tax free? If they are not legal send them back. If they want to get legalized and pay taxes and social security like the rest of us then they can stay.