Duluth.Talk

By waz

May 23, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

spouting the same old crap that every organization for amnesty spouts.

By Janet_G

May 23, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

No, Neither Gwinnett, nor America would be what they are today without immigrants….legal immigrants. Legal immigration is what produces the “melting pot” that is America. Illegal immigration is what produces Gwinnett’s current state of overload and deterioration of our schools, emergency rooms and social services. I read an article yesterday that said that 1 of every 7 workers from Mexico is now working in the United States. The average Mexican immigrant sends $100 to $200 a month home to Mexico. This amounts to about $20 billion a year that flows into the Mexican economy from the U.S. That’s more than all of the foreign aid that the U.S. sends to all other countries in the world combined. The Mexican economy is failing because they cannot attract foreign investment due to the level of corruption, bribery, kickbacks and extortion that are rampant in their government officials.

By allowing illegal immigration, we are supporting and propping up one of the most corrupt government systems in the world. Mexican workers who need jobs should be demonstrating in the streets of Mexico, not the streets of Atlanta. They need to demand change in their own government, not demand change in ours.

By edge770

May 23, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

The issue is not closing the door for immigrants. The issue is immigrants following the law to enter into the United States legally. A article over the weekend reported the US has 10% of all Mexican citizens. What most people advocate is to seal the borders, go through a thorough secure process of entry. Those that refuse will be arrested, be implanted in their skin with rfid or gps system and deported. If they attempt to return, our sattelites find them and law enforcement/border patrol sends them to their own country again, and penalize the country if the illegal attempts with the illegal sent to federal prison in locations such as Guantanomo Bay or Nome Alaska or other challenging security complex. Obey the law or face the consequences, whether it be illegal immigrants, those that help bring them over and the businesses that hire them.

By Swangirl

May 23, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

Legal immigrants? Overwhelmingly yes. If an immigrant does it the right way (and many do and have), immigrants are welcome here.

Illegal immigrants who don’t speak English and refuse to learn it, seek free health care and education for their children, have no intention of purchasing car insurance or paying taxes and wave the Mexican flag during protest marches? NO. These folks have no intention of ever becoming citizens.

By Virginia

May 23, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

We were all immigrants at one time or the other. I SAID IMMIGRANTS, NOT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. If we American’s tried the “illegal Immigration” stuff in Mexico, we would be denied all rights and thrown out on our butts. I’m so tired of this illegal immigration stuff and people who do not get the difference, between legal and illegal. Come in the right way, wait your turn and learn to speak ENGLISH. We spend too much of the hard earned tax payers money on paperwork in languages other than English. We live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, not B. F. EGYPT. SPEAK ENGLISH, LEARN AMERICAN WAYS, ADAPT TO AMERICAN CULTURE.

By Pam

May 23, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

You should make an effort to spend your hard earned money within your own community. Every dime you spend with immigrants will eventually be remitted overseas, never to be recycled back through your community.

People like you who don’t think ahead and see the big picture and only live for today are the causes of why illegal immigration is out of control. Because people like you welcome illegal labor with open arms.

The biggest bargain may not be “deal” after all. When wages are eroded and social services/schools are overwhelmed, it is not a benefit to the community.

Think next time of the already proven consequences of spending your money outside of your community. Immigrants certainly support their own and you should do the same and stop advertising about your lack of support for your own communty.

Jimmy Carter was voted the worst street in America by Creative Loafing. I don’t want the rest of Gwinnet to look like Jimmy Carter and neither should you.

By bubba9000

May 23, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

Just *&^^$!!!! What happen to obeying the law. There are enough legal immigrates to fill many positions, and I know many people doing landscape and cleaning offices. They are business owners and they are able to find legal workers. I washed dishes, drove a forklift, etc to pay my way through college. What’s next, disregarding the law for robbing banks, assaults, how about ID theft, which using fradulent documents to obtain work is a felony and tough luck if its your ID. Beni, I hope you don’t get hit by a undocumented worker and have to explain to your insurance company the person that hit you didn’t have documents(insurance) because he had a undocumented(fradulent drivers license), and you will have to pay more documents(money) for insurance coverage.

By shane

May 23, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

Of course alot of the things and places that you frequent have something to do with an immigrant but its the illegal immigrants that you should not patronize.

By ChrisD

May 23, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

More ridiculous propaganda. We will survive fine without illegals. They simply keep prices artificially low. When they’re controlled, prices will normalize (not become too high, as the left would have you think). We’ll be fine, and there will be less chaos on our border.

By lucky

May 23, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

Life in Gwinnett would be improved immensely without illegal immigrants. If your house builders were illegal, they put carpenters and brick layers out of business, and these tradesmen were not low paid workers but solid middle class citizens who paid taxes on their incomes, and that tax base is lost. Would your house cost more money, yeah, a little more, but your underpriced new home cuts the appreciation of all existing homes in the area, making them less desirable and lowering their price. And that is precisely the tax base taxed to pay for bilingual education for illegal workers, who do not pay taxes or healthcare and are therefore able to send their money back to relatives in their home countries.

You cannot soften the effect of this invasion by praising the goods and services you are enjoying. Don’t tax me or my grandchildren for your frivolous purchases.

Once illegals are here and can no longer work due to illness or age, do you think they will then go home? Or, will they march brazenly in the streets demanding more benefits and services they have not paid for? Our Social Security system cannot support those who have paid into this system, let alone illegasl. You said they add more to the economy than they take - which is a categoric untruth, read the statistics at the Center for Immigration Studies. They do not pay taxes, most are paid in cash or as independent contractors.

We do not need illegals here in order for you to buy a silk blouse. And I will happily mow your lawn for you for free if it will send an illegal, along with the his wife and children. As for building your house, better stick with skilled American citizens and you will be happier with the results for years to come.

By Tony

May 23, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

The examples you gave our nice, they are all legitimate organizations that add to our economy. Not the illegals that do not pay an ounce of taxes an use our social programs and education without adding a dime to the pot. Free medical and free education are good programs for those that are trying to survive and contribute their fair share of taxes. Oh yeah, some of liked gwinnett when it was a sleepy suburban community. Thanks.

By Eric

May 23, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

God help our pathetic education system when SO many American don’t know the difference between the words legal and illegal.

By Della

May 23, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Beni, I tend to agree with all the comments thus far. Immigration is the America life; we are all immigrants (voluntarily or involuntarily).

However, the government as well as individuals needs to take a stand against illegal immigration. Why? It is sending the wrong message - a message that America is only interested in making a buck instead of upholding the law. These will led to rebellion not only from American citizens but also for people from other countries who wish to come to America. Everyone is going to start thinking, why should I obey the law when millions are not, and the government tolerates this disobedience. It sends the message that you are allowed to do anything as long as you are feeding your family. Can you just imagine, an American standing before a judge saying, “I had to sell drugs to feed my family”. Laughable, right? Well if we do not tolerate American’s or legal immigrants breaking the law, why do we tolerate the disobedience of illegal immigrants?

By A Tax Payer

May 23, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Whoever came up with the word “undocumented worker” should be deported. My husband is from another country and has a green card and pays more in taxes each year than my entire salary. I have no problem with people who come into this country legally and pay their taxes and spend their money in their community. All of the bleeding hearts seem to be overlooking a key word-ILLEGAL. I agree with Eric. Maybe we need to start saying illegal in Spanish, then the people who really are would understand what we object to. Anybody out there know how to say illegal in Spanish?

By dg

May 23, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Hello Pam, I think you are on to something. Maybe you can lobby congress to start printing white, yellow, red, black and brown money so that you can better identify money that is spent in “your own” community and that which flows into “your own” community from outside.

By and that's the name of that tune

May 23, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

“Illegal” in Spanish is “ilegal”. Not so easy to say “no comprende” to.

By Rob

May 23, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

Obviously, you don’t understand the difference between legal and illegal. Beni, stop living in this fantasy world you live in with your Mexican laborers and Korean seamstresses and start understanding the HUGE difference.

Legal immigrants are great because we can CONTROL the rate at which we let them come into the country.

Illegal immigrants are NOT good because we can’t control anything about them.

Any country that allows unchecked illegal immigration is basically practicing cultural, political, and economic suicide. Sorry, there’s no excuses or exceptions about it.

Honestly, all we are doing is importing Latin American poverty, because only the poor and desperate are coming here. The few well-to-do Latinos aren’t coming here.

So, if you think that it’s wise to keep importing poverty over and over again, year after year, then I guess you must be living in some uppity sheltered world where you never come into contact with them.

By rob

May 23, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

ms dakur, you are twisting the reality of what everyone is concerned about. the whole concern is about ILLEGAL PEOPLE COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY, IGNORING OUR LAWS!AND IN THE PROCESS COMPROMISING THIS COUNTRY’S SECURITY AND MAKING IT EASIER TO BRING IN DRUGS! if someone walked into your house without your permission you would go ballistic! WAKE UP MAME THIS IS THE REAL WORLD! IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN YOU ENJOYING A CRAB OR YOUR YARD BEING CUT!!!!!!!! Rob Reynolds

By ACH

May 23, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

One of the reasons this country is great is because we have rules and laws. We have a system and a structure to guide by in every aspect. No one is above the law!

I don’t blame the illegal immigrants for entering our country I blame our government. They need to seal our southern border with a high concrete wall and perhaps militarize it. As Thomas Friedman said “I believe in a big wall with a big gate”. We need to know who is entering this country, they need to be properly ID’d (whether temporary worker or permanent) and they need to pay taxes, learn English, and take on the American way.

My parents emigrated from Iran nearly twenty years ago legally and they wholeheartedly embraced this culture, they have American flags on their cars and homes not Iranian flags. If people are demonstrating with their birthland flags in the U.S. that’s fine maybe you should go back.

I could go on and on about this…

By Legal MK

May 23, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Seems like most of you describe illegal immigrants like blood sucking individuals you dont seem to realize that many of them have contributed a lot to this country, for example our Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez ( just to name one ) and he admitted when asked on CNN if his poor, uneducated parents were legal or illegal immigrants from Mexico, he answered ” its not clear “….educated children of of some immigrants can be real assets to the future of this country… much more than those who drop out of school and hang around doing nothing…. think about it.

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

I note that this leftist liberal paper again peddles the now requisite vile ajc line of pandering multiculturalism, which in good part explains why their circulation is continously going down. The ever growing gang violence in Gwinnett is overwhelmingly the fault of immigrants - mostly illegals, HOW COME SHE DIDN’T MENTION THAT??!!

I am a legal immigrant who finally became a citizen. The arrogant heavy handed often racial bigotry as a white legal immigrant with a white GA born wife I was subject to by INS in Atlanta was unbelievable - but its actually far worse for those in racially mixed marriages and those from certain third world countries. Funny how the ajc never ever does stories on the real reality of INS treatment.

Robotically listing a number of immigrant businesses is implicitly a gushing laundry list of political correctness which fools no one. Gwinnett has huge problems with drugs, crime, poor schools compared with other states with large numbers of non-English speakers, traffic, urban sprawl, pollution, etc. Where does this lady think this all comes from?

Every time the ajc publishes this kind of we love illegals/multiculturalism drivel they get pounded on these blogs. As others have said above its purely propaganda. As a legal immigrant I am extremely sensitive to the issue of LEGAL immigration. Its the ILLEGALS stupid - to paraphrase the Arkansas 1990’s perjurer in chief . The BBC in London does this incessantly and its bitterly resented by millions of tax paying BBC licence fee victims.

Most liberals resent white America, which explains why they push the cause of immigration/illegals, knowing also that most will vote democrat - with both legal and illegal votes. As a secular Reagan Republican this is one immigrant who will never vote for anyone from the leftist party of hate!! Its undeniable that the democrats systematically racebait and demagogue race and immigration!! Which is shameful because LEGAL immigration should be a neutral thing!!!

By Austin Jefferson

May 23, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Many do not understand the process of immigration here. They have never even visited or ever heard of the INS office.

They want to pay less taxes yet expect a strong immigration system. They elect corrupt politicians who don’t pay their taxes, yet have a discriminatory attitude on illegal immmigrants.

I remember a time during the Civil Rights Movement where Racism was the Law. I remember a time when people stood up strong to protect their laws, because Civil Rights, was breaking the law. A society that shows intolerance to human-kind is a society that will decay it’s moral values and future blessings. Maybe one doesn’t see it or wish to believe it.

Many immigrants (Legal or Illegal) do want to learn english. Many Illegal immigrants would love to be legal immigrants, yet have been the victims of their own governments and are treated as second class citizens in their own governments. Some of the illegal immigrants come from a minority community in those nations who favor the elite over the “second class” citizen on terms of a legal process.

It is the case of the streets, when you see something good in the other side of the fence, chances are you will go for it. Would you rather live in an area with high crime, poor infrastructure and lack of resources or would you take the chance and escape from that area and go for something better. Mexicans who migrate come here for the same reasons why people flee the inner cities or rural areas, in search of a better opportunity.

But this is something that most do not understand and let channels like Fox News, and CNN teach them what they know about immigration.

By tony

May 23, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

I love when people say they dont pay taxes. Someone making $400 a week with four kids, how much do you think they are really going to pay in taxes anyway?This is a show the government is putting on, if they really wanted to stop illegals they would arrest the people that hire them and the problem would be solved rather quickly. Wake up people , if no one hired them they wouldnt come here.

By Brenda Sims

May 23, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

Immigrants should abide by the law, they are putting a burden on the U.S. Citizens. Healthcare is thru the roof. It is sad to say but every latino woman seem to be pregnant, or they have 4-5 small kids in tow. Maybe this is to ensure they will reman here, the united states hardly ever separate a child from it mother legal or illegal. They may not be able to speak English, but they sure know the way down to the DFAC office for assistance. In my opionion all latino males should volunteer to go into the armed services to secure their citizenship, this would show a seriousness about becoming a u s citizen, after all our young men are dying to protect the legal and illegal citizens.

By Della

May 23, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

To: A Taxpayer,

People really do not understand how much money other legal immigrants have to pay before they can come to America or when they are in America.

I work at a college and we always have foreigners asking the school to sponsor them but if they do not have a job with the school, then they have to prove that they have the money to support their family for the duration of thier stay.

That is a lot of money.

By Scubashark

May 23, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Usted no sabes de lo que hablan! No es malo hablar mas que una idoma!

By della

May 23, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

TO: Tony( love when people say they dont pay taxes).

Tony, what about all the Americans making mininum wage that still have to pay taxes? What about all the Americans living below the poverty line that still have to pay taxes. Poverty does not include one from paying taxes.

As for the government choosing the end the situation. They can ends illegal drugs as well but that has not happened. The situation is much bigger than just snapping ones fingers.

By MK

May 23, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Of course I believe we should secure our borders, the problem is that we have closed our eyes for years about the situationof illegal immigration because it was our own benefit, then we realize we have millions of them, what to do ? I believe the ones who are already here, never gave any problem to the police, no drug problems, just working hard and trying to give their children an education, should be giving a chance to stay . Trouble makers should be deported immediately. I read newspapers of some other countries and they all have this problem of illegal immigration ( Spain is flooded with Africans who risk their lives to cross the Atlantic, same thing in France where some polygamists demand that each wife should get an apartment with her children etc… polygamy is illegal in France, and you think we got problems ? !!!)

By dg

May 23, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

I think the question was “would Gwinnett be the same without immigrants?”, not “would Gwinnett be the same without illegal immigrants?” What is it about the word “immigrant” that cranks you folks up? You all are a venomous bunch of vipers.

By George

May 23, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

i cannot understand articles like this. sure, why not just keep insulting the american worker. you all act as if we are handicapped, as if we cannot perform simple manual labor to get by, as if we need someone to do things for us. now, are these things unpleasent? yes, would i rather have someone else do it for me? yes. but, i refuse to have someone, that is illegal do it. whenever i have a job, that i need done, and can pay to have someone do it, by god, the first thing i do is hire an american contractor, or laborer to do it. why? becuasei believe first and foremost, in pitching in to our economy first. if i can give a deserving american citizen a job, to help support his or her family, then i do it. why should i support someone that does not support our economy, refuses to assimilate, and down rite expects things handed to them for free? you want my business, of any kind, earn it, show me you are willing to become a citizen of the country you want to live it, make an effort.

By paul

May 23, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Somehow i think we would survive without illegal immigrants (unreal). Plus keep Soul food out of Gwinnett county too.

By Della

May 23, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

To: Austin J.

Why compare involuntary immigrants (African Americans) to voluntary illegal immigrants?

Please stop!

People have to make changes in their own country instead of running away from the issues. Mexicans should have a “civil war” in Mexico just like Americans had to have a “civil war” in America. That is the problem with America today. It is too busy trying to step in and solve problems for other countries instead of allowing the people of those countries to solve their own problems. Changes are made through and by the people. Mexicans should return and fight for changes in Mexico instead of demanding changes in America.

America had to go through a civil war in order for changes to be made. Sometimes a war is not needed, boycotts, sit-ins, marches may do the trick, but you have to try first.

By Della

May 23, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

To: DG

I think we know the question and have no problem with legal immigration because we all are immigrants. An immigration question is always going to bring up another question - are they legal or illegal? Always!

We can live without illlegal immigrants especially if we start to be proactive about our homeless. Businesses can contract with shelters providing them a percentage of wages to house the homeless while they are working. Two things happen: 1) the shelter receives much needed money 2) the homeless are off the street, working and reentering society (hopefully).

Can we live without legal immigrants? No, that is what America was built on. Can we live without illegal immigrants? Yes.

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

A simplistic answer might be that in many respects Gwinnett would be much better without immigrants, the traffic, crime, overcrowding, pollution etc would be much reduced, house prices would likely be lower with less demand etc. But that’s true of anywhere that sees quite sudden large influxes of people.

Its the typical ajc trick here of multicultural pandering using immigration as the “hook”. If you bothered to read the responses that talked about LEGAL immigrants there was little or no negative commentary about LEGAL immigrants. Given Gwinnett’s chronic ever growing problem with illegals and their huge socio-economic health etc burden/demands your post is at the very least decidedly disingenuous and downright intellectually dishonest if one were to be honest.

A Legal immigrant PROUD to be an ANTI-ILLEGAL Viper

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

To all those out there expressing racist and bigotry comments, stop the nonsense. NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL. When we were born, God gave us a universal visa to live on earth and that one expires when we die. Borders are human invention, as war and economic exploitation. Maybe if we had better policies toward our neighbors and didn’t create so much havoc in other cultures and nations (remember Vietnam? El Salvador? Iraq?), things would be better in those areas of the world and few of those people would make the trip here.

So stop the nonsense, let’s integrate with the world, make love and not war and learn another language! Viva Gwinnett!

By Loves America

May 23, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

America was at its IMMORAL worst, with slavery. African slaves were ‘involuntarily’ brought to these shores—and built most of the infrastructure of America.

These black human beings were brought to America ‘LEGALLY” (and shamefully) against their will to do the back breaking work of making this land habitable and prosperous.

Very few whites ever want to talk about slavery and its legacy. Slavery brought tens of millions of Africans to America under the auspices of ‘legal’ business and commerce.

The reality is that America only likes ‘dark’ immigrants when they import them in for their use and exploitation. But resent it when ‘dark’ people freely choose to come and make a claim in America.

The truth is that most of the intolerance towards today’s immigrants is rooted in deep racist beliefs. America only wants ‘dark’ people here on her terms—and no other way.

The core of all of the anti-immigration rant is stone cold bigotry and fear of the other.

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

To all those out there expressing racist and bigotry comments, stop the nonsense. NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That was hilarious mate … typical racebaiting twisted pinko drivel!!!

You are ILLEGAL in the US if you have NO permanent residency or H1-B type visa or haven’t been naturalized etc. Funny how the gringo hating, gringo boycotting Mexicans deport ALL THEIR illegals and have their border very well protected in the south - so no Mexican hypcorisy there -eh!!

If the Spanish hadn’t invaded Mexico and butchered or enslaved just about everyone else there and in other parts of what’s collectively called south america the rest of you wouldn’t be speaking spanish today!! Aztec human sacrifices anyone???

By George

May 23, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

why should we have to learn another language? this is our country, and we speak english here. if i have a desire to learn another one, that would be my choice, i should be forced into it. let all of our guest, that want to live here, learn english, let them make the effort to assimilate. why don’t you try and go to france, for an example, and ask them to learn another language to accomadate us, i give it 10 minutes before someone spits in your face. try crossing any border, tell them you are a child of god, and you have the jesus passport, hope you don’t get shot. i can’t remember when we all became a nation of pansies, where being PC is the only way to live. for christ sake. and yes, we all come from different places, but you know what, at one point, you are an american. you don’t have to qualify irsih american, italian american etc etc etc after living here for generations. embrace your american heritage and culture.

By Della

May 23, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

To: Montezuma

No need to play the race card. Yes, we are all human beings and once God takes over the world, we will be free to roam as we please. Oh happy day, but until that day human’s rule the world and have set up policies and procedures in their respective countries. People need to abide by the laws of that land. If you want to make changes do so but do it the right way.

Otherwise, just by what you have posted, we should all do what we want. Stop paying taxes, drive anyway we want to drive, go to work when we want to work, sell drugs if we want to sell drugs, rape people if we want to, kill people if we want to - because the law man made is null and void especially if “we” want to do something. Yeah, where would the world be if we could do everything we wanted to do and their was no law for the land.

Since you are religious, you should know that the Bible says obey the governments. Look it up, you will find it. Therefore, if the government sets a law and you consider yourself a Christian then you should obey it. That is why Jesus said pay Ceasar what Ceasor is due (especially if it is not hindering you from serving God).

By dg

May 23, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

time for the truth, you are a living, breathing example of the failure of our immigration system. What mindless, government hack approved your papers?

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

The truth is that most of the intolerance towards today’s immigrants is rooted in deep racist beliefs. America only wants ‘dark’ people here on her terms—and no other way.

Another odious black racebaiter making ignorant racist remarks. The USA’s current immigration policy is actually very non-white. All the stats prove that, as do the national urban/metro population changes and numbers of non US born LEGAL residents. At my imigration ceremony in Atlanta lasy year I was one of only three EU whites out of well over 100 new immigrants, most were black africans, south americans and orientals. You are talking utter garbage!!! Take you hate eleswhere bubba!!

Black racism is just as repugnant as any other kind of racism as Rick showed in his excellent blog on the subject last week!!

By Big Al

May 23, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Illegal immigrants shouldn’t be here in the first place. Legal immigration, is what you should be speaking about, has gone on since our constitution was written. That way we can control the “Cheap Labor” and our country will not become Hispanic North. Get the scumbag Fox to fix his own country. Now there is a country to invade. I like it the United States of America, the way it has been. THANK YOU!

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

dg,

now we see your true self oozing out. You simply cannot address any of the facts/fair comment I, and others have made here so you boorishly indulge in a cowardly pathetic personal attack!!

You loose again- loser!!

By D

May 23, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

the argument I keep hearing about how we are a country of immigrants and if we don’t keeep bringing in immigrants we will just fold, is just complete BS. we needed immigrants to take and settle land from the Indians, now that we accomplished that our country can be self-sustaining with the people we already have. if you don’t believe me, then why did they discontinue the Homestead Act? I am from Gwinnett, I am in my forties, and I can tell you, Gwinnett did just fine without people from another country at our human resources and health depts. taking something they don’t deserve and that Americans, like myself, are not entitled to, or eligible for. we never had problems finding a home, or a new road when we needed it, if a ditch needed to get dug, someone dug it. and now I have cleaning company and I am being under bid all the time by someone who has broken the law to be here, receives subsidies that helps them keep their bids low and the whole time they are telling me how much I need them. it’s just a crock. and when a Latino needs a carpenter, a plumber, a cleaner, do you think they call an American? no, they don’t, they call a Latino. and how many whites, blacks, asians, etc. do you see working at Latino owned businesses? I see a lot of immigrants only supporting their own community. it seems we need immigrants to support the flood of immigrants. they need houses, they need markets, they need churches, too! immigration into OUR country needs to be limited from now on, we have plenty of people here. and immigrants have a responsibilty, as guests in our home, to treat us with the same respect and generosity that we have been showing them for a long time. nobody is picking on them. and ask a Latino why their radio station is called La Raza, ‘the Race’. sounds like racism to me.

By Della

May 23, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

To: Loves America

You have a point about America being racist but you are also wrong. Illegal immigration just like slavery is all about capitalism. Unfortunately along with captialism came other isms: racism, sexism, and so on.

Please do not play the race card. Illegal immigration should not be tolerated because of the negativity associated with it. If we allow millions to disobey the laws of the land then we are sending a message that any law of the land can be broken. We are frustrating the American people who are fined for going over the speed limit, who have to pay taxes on everything, who can not claim disability if a spouse works or if they own property, etc. We are frustrating not only hardworking Americans but also legal immigrants. We need to rectify this situation as soon as possible.

You can not have millions breaking the law while telling billions they have to obey the law or face a penalty.

By jacki

May 23, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

You have no idea. It is not about immigrants, it’s about illegal immigrants - ST——.

By Van

May 23, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

Legal immigrants have always been welcomed in this country. I was just looking at my great uncles citizenship papers, date 12/20/1921. Quite impressive, took him a while to get them according to familiy stories.

The other side of the coin is the illegal alien. Where the legal immigrant came here to benefit themselves and this county by becoming Americans and raising a family of American, the illigals are not immigrants, they are colonist.

They have brought there culture and restain it, not blending it. They come not to benefit themselves and this country, but to enrich their homeland and families left in the homeland. They do not assimilate, they segregate. They do not learn the language. They establish small communities reflective of their homeland. Lastly, they come here outside the providence of the law. They set themselves apart from the law abiding people.

Resent studies have shown an increase in age old disease. Leprosy is back, TB is back, ther is a mumps outbreak in the mid-west.

When Henry Binder came here as a youth, Ellis Island provided a health screening service, with the invaders today, there is no such service except our Emergency Rooms, after the fact.

By anita

May 23, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

one can only hope!!!!! and yes it has before….we did just nicely without the ILLEGAL INVADERS of our country

By "dd"

May 23, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

All of the crap going on in our country has caused me to have the motto’s of “If you can’t feed ‘em, don’t breed ‘em AND “Speak English or get the hell out”… Enough said

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

“If the moonlight slides over the gable with no permission whatsoever, why does the wetback needs to prove with visas that he is from wherever?”

From “The Wetback” by R. Arjona

Hey “time for the thruth” (or crook?)—- you must be from Germany, would have made a nice guard in the SS at Treblinka :-)

Seriously, I think you have a wrong perception of the world. Your racism obnubilates you to the point of not undersatnding what is going on in Gwinnett, a synergy of the new times to come. The future of the U.S. will look more like California and Gwinnett, not Wiesbaden, like it or not.

By anita

May 23, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

So……..Montezuma, you think and I use that word LOOSELY, that laws are only for Nazis? How strange… explain

By dg

May 23, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Hello time for the truth. I really didn’t see the need to address the facts and fair comment that you raised concerning Aztec human sacrifices. Neither do I see any further need to wallow in the mud with this porcine bunch.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Yes Gwinnett could exist without immigrants but why would we want to deny LEGAL immigrants, provided allowable immigration is on an equal bases to people from every country in the world and not dismissing ‘just cause’ to preclude certain individuals?

Gwinnett and America can definitely do without ILLEGAL immigration AKA invasion by anyone from any country, from around the world. Unfortunately we Americans share a common border with the most odious habitual violator of our U.S. immigration laws among all the other nations of this world. Mexico is an extreme problem and has an extreme problem, which no one who writes for this paper, no politicians in this country or any of the politicians in Mexico are willing to confront in honesty, let alone take the necessary actions to correct the problem.

Legal immigration from the very beginnings of this country was an intended component in building and maintaining the vitality of the country. However, this intended component of legal immigration does in no manner of speaking mean unlimited, uncontrolled or un-scrutinized admittance.

Certainly the intention of immigration was never meant to act and serve in the continuum as a “relief value” for corrupt, oppressive and abusive countries that refuse to make reforms necessary to provided its citizenry the opportunities to at least rise above second world poverty and ideally to embrace a first world standard of living?

Certainly the intention of immigration was never meant to act and serve as a means of lowering the wages of the U.S. citizenry to a second world standard of living for the benefit of commerce, otherwise why did this nation abolish slavery?

Certainly the intention of immigration was never meant to act and serve as a means for this country to retract the moral imperatives of our inalienable rights laid down in the firm foundation of the Declaration of Independence pronounced before the eyes of a candid world?

And most certainly, the intention of immigration was never meant to act and serve in placing the illegal alien thieves, frauds and lawbreakers right along equal side of the noble legal immigrant who is proven honest, law abiding and trustworthy in good faith having played by our rules in seeking to become our future fellow American?

The Gwinnett and America as we know today should never have been allowed to exist, where the legitimate and illegitimate immigrant stand as one and the same, in a system of demoralizing corruption that discriminates against a multitude of the world’s people blessed with bad geography and chastises the U.S. citizen taxpayer most adversely in every aspect of life.

The uniform legal immigration to naturalize U.S. citizens of sole loyalty to the USA, we can never have enough of it in Gwinnett and America. Though sadly in real life terms, we can never fiscally accommodate as much of this nobility as we would like to accept.

Gwinnett and American should never exist on, tolerate or accept by any means illegal illegitimate immigration in whatever form it occurs. Else, The Shining City on the Hill shall be no more and the lamp held high by the Mother of Exiles shall be immortally dimmed as the beacon of justice, freedom and liberty.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Anita, nice to make your acquaintance. You refer to immigrants as invaders of our country. Isn’t that what our European ancestors did when they came from England, Spain, Portugal to America and other parts of the world? Closer in history, isn’t what the U.S. did with the southwest that used to belong to Mexico? The border actually crossed those Mexicans! Have you read the history of Panama (C.1903), how it came to be a country (secession from Colombia) to satisfy US interests for an interoceanic canal? Did you know that Florida belonged to Spain until the U.S. grabbed it in 1890? Read history my friend, laws are made by those who benefit from them. Where did you come from?

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Della.

you are completely wrong with your assertion! racism and sexism etc were endemic all over the globe long before capitalism ever emerged. Tribalism/racism/genocide in africa existed long before european explorers arrived and long before the City of London and other capitalist centres began financing the industrialised west.

The early catholic church was the poster boy of sexism back in the fourth century. Slavery started a few thousand years ago - not suddenly in the pre civil war USA. The term black gold was coined in the horn of africa as blacks were forcibly taken to the arabian peninsula around three thousand years agoRead a copy of the Arabs as Master Slavers by Dr John Laffin its out of print but available used. There was even a big slave market in “white” Copenhagen for 200 years or so until around 1050 C.E.

By Della

May 23, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

To: Montezuma

It is nice that you use a quote regarding the moonlight. The moonlight is governed by the “laws of God”.

Man is governed by laws of not only God but also that of man. God has given the authority to the government therefore man is under obligation to follow the laws of said government as long as it does not hinder him from serving God (immigration laws do not hinder one from serving God).

Everyone must follow the laws of the land, plain and simple, just like the moonlight will always follow the “laws of God”.

By Big Al

May 23, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Montezuma, That was before our constitution. Now we call you illegals or INVADERS. Laws mean nothing to INVADERS. GET IT! GO HOME

By Darlene

May 23, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

I say let’s all go to Mexico and do the following: demand that everything be in English; provide us with free healthcare; give our children a free education and it MUST be in ENGLISH; breed like crazy and demand that the children be citizens of Mexico even though I am not; provide me a driver’s license even though I cannot read or write Spanish; God forbid, don’t expect me to have any kind of car insurance or an up to date car license tag; I want my pay in CASH - no checks; all banks and other government institutions must do all documents in English and if there is any kind of retirement in Mexico (such as Social Security here in the States), I expect to have a right to it (even though I am ILLEGAL); and who do the property owners think they are telling me I cannot have 25 people living in my one bedroom apartment; and if the Mexicans disagree with me then they are a bunch of racists pigs!

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

Michael H. Smith—great food for thought, nice poetic closing (I love poetry)but….did you know that there is a phrase that says “Have mercy on poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States”?

I think many countries, even far away from the U.S. may have some sort of resentment against our country’s policies (and not the people). Our governements have supported killer regimes, ugly acts of murder and association with the worst of the world, how can we expect to be perceived differently? I have traveled all over and believe me, I know this for a fact. Why does our government policies support these corrupt, oppresive and abusive regimes? Shouldn’t we share part of the blame AND the results? (uncontrolled numbers of abused citizens looking for a better life for them and their families-wouldn’t you do the same?)

By To: Time for the truth

May 23, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

Why would anyone want slavery (anyone)? That is the question you should ask yourself. Why? because slavery is profitable (MONEY) to any nation or national group or individual.

People who could not pay their debts became slaves in Africa. A person having a slave received free labor which meant more “money” in his/her pocket. So it was always about money from the begining. When Europeans came to Africa, guess what? it was still about money (profit). First and foremost, slavery in any country was about economics.

By Della

May 23, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

To: Time for truth,

Sorry for the mistake, but the above message is from me to you.

By D

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

what happened in the past was not always the right thing. what we did to the Indians was wrong, and Montezuma, I guess I need to tell you, two wrongs don’t make a right, and to twist things into saying we are denying someone human rights because we want fair laws enforced is just wrong, too. just look at Mexico’s immigration laws, much worse than ours. I’ve notice that when someone calls another person names, they are usually guilty of that name themselves. I’ve noticed that when someone calls another person a racist, most times that person shows more racism than the person they were trying to put down. sensitive people call other people sensitive. you have to be judgemnetal to call another person judgemental, you have to be opinionated to call another person opinionated. and I see a lot more racism coming out of the Latino community, than I do from Americans. I’ve seen an attitude from Latinos that show contempt and disrespect for Americans, I have been learning Spanish for several years and I can tell you that I hear a lot of things said about Americans that is just horrible. things like ‘pinche juelo’, the spelling may not be correct, but you know it means ‘f-ing white guy’. that is just one of the many racially hateful things that are said about by the Latino community, yet we are supposed to do everything for the Latinos and not complain or enforce the laws, or we’ll be racists. me and my friends don’t refer to ourselves as ‘The Race’. groups like the black panthers and the aryan nations do that, is that how Latinos want to be, too?

By Sheryl

May 23, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

It’s not about immigrants…it is about ILLEGAL immigrants!!!

Illegals in this country tax the system. The funds that are used to help the aged, and the poor to get food stamps, welfare, healthcare at reduced or not cost are ALL REDUCED to these people because there are so many people using the system’s resources. Many of those who are faced with less funds to go around are Americans who were born here, worked here all of their lives and paid taxes into that system. Many of them have family lines that have been in this country since it’s founding.

Not to mention that ILLEGALS are not paying taxes, most likely they are driving cars purchased with cash, cars that most likely have no insurance, many is disrepair with huge plumes of exhaust billowing out the back polluting our air!

How is it that it is as George Bush said in his speech, “…many of them have been here for years…many own homes”…how do you own a home and yet are not LEGALLY here? I pay my taxes and do not qualify for a home. If I did not pay taxes, my salary would easily qualify me for my own piece of US soil.

It’s not about being an immigrant it is about being here ILLEGALLY, and not paying your way, and teaching your offspring to disobey the laws of this country.

By Joe

May 23, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Blacks perhaps need to be more concerned about other races populating America than whites need worry. It is black males thats entering prison at much greater numbers than entering college and it’s black on black crime that will someday dwindle your numbers down to such a small voting block you’ll be impotent come election time. Hispanics may sit back and watch the white race die out due to low population numbers, but it is the blacks that will die out because of the violence your community seems to have bitten down on so hard on you all can’t let go of the glamour of gansta killing and crime. Just watch the news, at the current rate…how many more years do black males have left before you’re extinct? You very quickly bring up slavery that happened over a century ago, what about all the crime that happened just last night? Get control over your violence. Also, I do believe Gwinnett was just fine before the invasion, we’ll be fine after it.

By rb

May 23, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

In contemplating the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT problem last week I had a true epiphany. The real problem of course is the current conditions in Mexico. Until there are serious reforms in the fundamental way that Mexico’s government treats it’s RESIDENTS [ both citizens and non-citizens ] there will always be this desire, no, actual need for large numbers of Mexicans to seek employment outside the country.

The only way these reforms will occur is if MEXICAN CITIZENS rise up and take control of their country, forcibly and vigorously eliminate corruption and make changes that encourage foreign investment.

The reason there has been no uprising so far is because they have the USA as a dumping ground for their excess population. Eliminate this safety valve and then the social pressures will quickly overwhelm the current corrupt Mexican government.

Conversely, if the US eases the path to legal residency then the pressure south of the border is reduced and Mexican reforms will NEVER occur. This will cause the terrible suffering of Mexicans to continue forever and create a tremendous burden on Americans as the perpetual flood northward will only increase in the future.

Therefore let us call on reforms in Mexico not in the USA. This will create better economic and social situations in both countries.

By Van

May 23, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

Montezuma, While a debate on Manafest Destiny might prove interesting and very lively, that is not this topic.

A few Definitions:

Invade: 1 : to enter for conquest or plunder 2 : to encroach upon : INFRINGE 3 a : to spread over or into as if invading : PERMEATE b : to affect injuriously and progressively

By definition, they are here to earn money and send it back home - plunder.

Colony: 1 a : a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state b : the territory inhabited by such a body 2 : a distinguishable localized population within a species 3 a : a circumscribed mass of microorganisms usually growing in or on a solid medium b : the aggregation of zooids of a compound animal 4 a : a group of individuals or things with common characteristics or interests situated in close association b : the section occupied by such a group 5 : a group of persons institutionalized away from others ; also : the land or buildings occupied by such a group

By definition #1, they are colonist.

Therefore, we have a group of people invading the US and establishing colonies in this country, and we are doing nothing.

Now, Manifest Destiny was an explanation or justification for expansion and westward movement, or, in some interpretations, an ideology or doctrine which helped to promote the process. Maybe the AJC will sponsor a topic of history.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Big Al, You wrote: “Hey Montezuma, That was before our constitution”

You obviously did not attend school or got thru it without grasping a single history lesson. Go to the library and get your dates right.

And by the way, I AM HOME here in Gwinnett or wherever:

I don’t live or stay in any place, wherever there is wine and a fire I have my home. And so I do not forget what I was, my homeland and my guitar I carry with me: one is strong and faithful, the other just a paper

Ciao.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

Dear Van,

YES! You got it right! Manifest Destiny, what a plausible name. It is just the trend of history: what our ancestors did hundreds of years ago when they came to America is happening again! History in the making, the reshaping of a nation, right here in Gwinnett County, Georgia!

By John

May 23, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Some history for those who wish to use it in this debate

The concept of illegal immigration did not even exist until the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924. The U. S. created a quota system in the 1920s ending four centuries of mostly open immigration (Chinese Exclusionary Act and other narrow limitations excepting).

After the 1920s immigration quotas were established illegal immigration was rampant. The original quota was set at two percent of the total of any given nation’s residents in the U.S. as reported in the 1890 census, changed in 1927 to 150,000 annually. Immigration average over 500,000 per year over a 40 year period from the 1880s to the 1920s.

Groups of people deemed unfit to live in this country were systematically denied entery – including Asians, southern and eastern Europeans

The population of the U. S has tripled since 1900 (77 million to 250 million), while annual immigration has doubled.

From 1850 to 1930 over 10% of the U.S. population was foreign born. After dropping to about 6% in the 1970s, the percentage as of 2000 is back up to just over 10%.

By time for the truth

May 23, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Della,

obviously slavery was about money or benefit … it was also about geo-political power and conquest of land too. another huge reason for slavery was the subjugation of people who were viewed as being inferior etc - different tribes/ethnicity etc- the enslavement itself was in such instances kind of ancillary to that - one of the vile “benefits” of war if you like. the practice of racism, tribalism and sexism etc as I posted had little to do with the advent of industrial capitalism - it was just a continuation of what was long already common practice. I assume you are something of a liberal with your views - doesn’t matter - but liberal view points are sadly too often flawed in their analysis, its usually an ideological
‘collective’ need to convince themselves and everyone else!! :)

By Bo

May 23, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Whats all the fuss about? All we need is one strong Amercian leader to come forward, and they will, and we’ll be back on track. As soon as the jobs dry up, they’ll go back home. I am not worried that a bunch of non-English speaking pigmies armed with a weed-eater to take over Amercia. Bring on the battle.

By Please Explain

May 23, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

Bo: What do you mean? Amercian leader? From Amercia? Is that another country? You mean a foreign leader? Is that in outer space? YOU MEAN AN ALIEN LEADER! (legal or illegal?)

By Van

May 23, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Montezuma, that is the intent, but this time, I sincerly hope it fails. When the Spaniards, Frenchies and others came to Mexico, the indians there suffered the same fate as the indians in the US. Now, the Mexican Government has a draconian immigration policy, maybe we should adopt theirs.

By Ricky

May 23, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Beni: I am not going to comment on the immigrant issue. I want to comment on the steamed blue Maryland styled crabs. What do you know about this eastern shore treat?

Since moving to Georgia from Maryland, I make regular trips to the Dekalb farmer’s market. I get frustrated with crab tourists playing with the crabs, talking to the crabs or even buying them to take them home and drown them in garlic, onions, celery and God knows what else.

Once we get the immigrant issues under control, let’s get together and steam up some blue crabs. Maryland, My Maryland.

Be Blessed!

By ACH

May 23, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Once again the “illegals” cannot be blamed. You better believe that I was living in some village hut with no job and no where to go I would cross the river over to the U.S. and probably even send money back home to mom & dad. The problem here fellow Americans is our Government, they should pass laws that forbid companies to hire illegals. If jobs in the U.S. are only reserverd for Americans and/or documented workers then the Illegals will leave. They are only here for jobs people, not the weather!!

All Congress has to do is make it illegal for anyone to hire illegal immigrants and have stiff fines per worker for those that do. (say $5,000 per day per worker).

With no jobs these illegals will return home and get in line like the rest of the legal immigrants to arrive in the U.S.

I blame our Gov.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Hey BW…. oops I mean Monty, this is Red Sticks again, now that we are playing our Indian Cards today. BTW don’t forget you are standing on once Muskogee Creek land my Aztec friend, which consumed all of the southland east of the Mississippi. No need to thank us for getting rid of Fernando De Soto, he and his company were becoming such a murderous bore.

Now go back and read my comments again please they were most condemning in the blaming of our government. Notice you didn’t bother to condemn Mexico?

Solve the Mexican problem in Mexico and at least 60 % of this immigration problem will cease to exist. Most importantly the Mexicans will have the so-called better life in Mexico with no need to flee or invade this country.

Um Monty… At some point in a 300 year history of time, failure afta(sic) failure, you have to stop claiming you are a victim and admit you have become a willing participant in the corruption, oppression and abuse that is robbing you of the freedom and liberty to obtain the better life.

By D

May 23, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

why don’t you see immigrants from Korea, India, Pakistan, Somalia, etc. swamping our county health depts? myth number once busted; all Latinos are hard-working. I’m a cleaner, my son is a carpenter, my friend is a landscaper and my other friend(with disabilites) is a dishwasher. myth number two busted; Latinos are here doing jobs Americans don’t want to do. and just for fun, I gotta say this, ‘stop celebrating Cinco de Mayo, who hasn’t beat the French in a battle? besides, right after that, the French got reinforcements and drove all the way to Mexico city, took over the whole country and held it for a number of years’….ah, that feels better

By Lifelong Gwinnettian

May 23, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

I hope you do not have the need for emergency medical treatment and find yourself sitting in a Gwinnett Emergency room for hours behind every illegal immigrant with a cold. Then you can write an article that is correct!

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

ACH- Going after illegal employers is only a small piece of this answer. The United States must establish in foreign trade and diplomacy a moral imperative to impose our economic influence upon corrupt, oppressive and abusive countries to make the necessary socio-economic changes needed to lift their people from third world poverty.

This is the most important element that is missing from meaningful immigration reform. S. 2611 is not comprehensive, it is only convoluted.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Beni, not once did you mention businesses owned by Americans of African descent and workers. Black Americans are the main group that is being displaced by “illegal” immigration. No one is upset about “legal immigration”.

You are as bad as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, selling out our people thinking the Latino illegals will bond with you and form a coalition. The majority of us want to bond with our fellow Americans regardless of background. We want to bond together to protect our borders and stop the influx of illegal immigrant labor that is depressing wages and continuing to push down the dreams of lower income Blacks.

By Big Al

May 23, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Montezuma, No matter what the dates were - illegal is illegal - and I’m sure from your comments the shoe fits. Maybe you should learn a little about the law and the constitution that you don’t follow. You are at home temporarily. Don’t forget your Spanish.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

And, I wish people would stop bringing the Black Civil Rights movement into the illegal immigrant discussion. There is no comparison.

The majority of Black Americans I talk to, from all different educational and income levels, are against illegal immigration and amnesty. Many Black organizations don’t want to come out publicly against illegal immigration because it isn’t a “Black only” issue. If White Americans support it, they don’t want to do so either even if it destroys the Black community. This kind of hard headed activity is the main reason many of the organizations no longer have a valid role in the Black community. It is time to revise and revamp to reflect the ever-changing needs of Black America. I band with my fellow Americans to protect the land I was born in and where my ancestors toiled the land.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

My personal opinion is none of the illegal immigrants should have a chance at citizenship. That should be the punishment for breaking the laws of our country.

If they have children who were born here, they can be considered for a green card for residency but never can become a citizen.

Also, I am in full agreement that employers should be fully penalized when hiring them.

And, why should they get special treatment? There are people from all over the world who endure harsher environments who should have just as much right to become citizens of this country.

By reggie jones

May 23, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

OK, say we allow immigrants into our country. I will ask you liberal “save the world” types one question. How many would you let in? One million? One billion? At what point would even the diehards say enough? Do you want the US to become a Third World country and not be able to send money and aid to dozens of needy countries? Let me tell you “America haters” something. The US gives MORE money than any other country to relief organizations around the world. How much more do you want us to do?

By Uncle Sam

May 23, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

By god, =I= can do without them.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Joe, you are correct in saying that Black Americans need to be very concerned. The prejudice we have endured in our country may be more pronounced when dealing with those from other countries who don’t know the history of our struggle in America.

D. A. King has the right idea but has been ostracized for his views. Many Blacks support him and know he is a friend to all. He is just anti-illegal immigration the same as so many other Americans of all races, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. Even Latinos, whose parents worked hard to do the right thing, resent the demands of the illegal immigrants.

By BC

May 23, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

People like you always seem to ignore the word illegal in illegal immigrant.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

The construction boom is slowing which employed many illegal workers. What are they going to do now? As the unemployment rate goes up, there is going to be even more people against amnesty. Also, look at the decreased number of teenagers who can summer jobs because of the influx of illegals. I can go on and on…

By Freedom Fighter

May 23, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

To: Regina

Everything has a price. Is the cost of full black American inclusion in the USA—that we (blacks) must join in xenophobia against other human beings? If this indeed is the price that must paid for our ‘American card’ then I will take a pass.

I think that we (blacks, whites, and other Americans of peace and goodwill of all hues and backgrounds) who love America must demand more tolerance and acceptance from ourselves and give more respect and understanding to our fellow human beings who seek opportunity and freedom in this nation.

The most sincere form of flattery is when someone desires to share in or copy what you have. These human beings from Mexico who share the North American continent with us by and large want to be co-laborers in expanding and giving new formation to the American dream.

The America that I love has love and elasticity for newcomers. The America that I know is not one based on fear and lack—but one that uses all of its human resources and creates more and new opportunities for many.

The new immigrants represent an important change in America’s history. Change is both difficult and inevitable. Even without immigration the world is becoming more open and Americans must learn how to adapt to these realities or face losing ground.

The most important aspect of the immigration issue has more to do with opening our minds and hearts and less to do with closing our borders.

By judge

May 23, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Right on ‘Janet_G’!! We as a Country are not debating ‘Legal’ immigration, but ‘Illegal immigration’. A 3rd grader could distinguish between the two. And you know what ticks me off?? The fact that EVERY NEWS organization NEVER brings up the fact of how much these’ immigrants’ are costing us, but rather want to harp on the fact of how much money they’re saving us. BS!! People like ‘Beni Dakar ’ need to use their brain!! I have seen many a reporter and journalist interview illegal immigrants & NEVER ask if they paid the Hospital bill for the baby they’re holding in their arms! I’ve never heard someone ask an illegal if they’ve ever been to a Hospital & if they paid their Hospital bills!! Why do you think it costs in the thousands of dollars to stay in the Hospital overnight??? It’s because the Hospitals have to raise the rates to cover for the ‘un-paid’ bills!!! Which makes OUR insurance premiums go UP, which costs our employers more, which in turn gives us either ‘cheaper’ coverage OR less of a pay raise at the end of the year!! You have to be blind not to see this! And just the other day I drove by a school bus stop with an estimated 50-60 kids, all Hispanic! Wonder how many of the parents were here illegally?? Probably 80%, at most, which means around 40 children were getting on a school bus that OUR tax dollars paid for, fuel that OUR tax dollars paid for , A bus driver that OUR tax dollars paid for, school books, teachers, etc,etc that OUR tax dollars paid for!! How is this ‘saving’ us money?? It’s NOT! Wake up, America!

By D

May 23, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

I want America to be America, for the American dream to still be obtainable for desperate people from another country, but legally. I don’t want America to be like a grocery store giveaway, where you dash in and fill your cart with as much free stuff as possibly can, without any responsibility or need to give a fair amount back for what you have received. and definitely, if you come to this country, you should, out of respect for the people’s homes that you are now living in, learn a common language, and try not to be like a new roommate that ignores everyone else, takes without giving and wants to remodel the whole place.

By Jennifer

May 23, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

The only thing missing from Gwinnett if the illegals leave will be the never ending line of white vans with too many ladders strapped to them, mattresses and tires would be greatly missed on the highways, and, of course, I’m sure the ‘living 10 people per house’ would be missed, too. Heck, one of the major changes that will happen is that people will be able to read the signs again since they will be in English.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Regina- I can understand where you are coming from, though they have broken the law unquestionably, does this then allow us to lay aside our humanity, we are talking about human beings here?

I agree and disagree in this matter of denial of citizenship and here are the pros and cons. If a now illegal alien willingly self-deports, goes back home and gets in the back of the line there, and applies for legal re-entry they have earn a right to the pathway for citizenship. However, should the now illegal alien remain in this country and refuses to comply with the pervious stated conditions, they should be charged with a felony, deported and denied any possibility of ever becoming a U.S. citizen. This is the way to actually deport 11 million illegal aliens combined with going after employers who hire illegal aliens, along with cutting off all government assistance but humanitarian emergency medical treatment and prosecute those who aide and abed illegal aliens.

John McCain and his ilk simply don’t want to understand there is more than one means of deporting people. Charles Norwood calls it attrition nevertheless in real terms it is deportation, a voluntary deportation. Our borders must be truly secured, beginning with the southern portions first. Here again Mexico and the Mexican problem must be dealt with, and this U.S. government must do its part.

By Pompano

May 23, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

Once again an AJC writer displays a total lack of grasp of an issue. No wonder the AJC circulation is declining - it appears that even it’s own writers don’t read the news. It reads like an article a recent high school graduate would pen.

I hope Beni can now understand that no one in Gwinnett has (or has ever had) an issue w/legal immigration and that her little rant about all her multicultural exposure comes across as meaningless and elitist. Of course a quick scan of previous comments from actual readers would have tipped her off to this. Maybe during all that running around she can turn on a newscast and actually sound informed next time she writes an article for the AJC.

By LG

May 23, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

Freedom Fighter,

Does that include tolerating Hispanic kids chasing my son with a switchblade, having them call my White son a n-word, and having them insult his Black friends and him on a daily basis in school? My son has had more serious encounters with violent kids during the last three months than my brothers ever saw in their school years.

I sorry if this is the change that tolerance brings, I’ll change my open mind to a closed mind and wish them all to go back to their native land. They had their chance and they blew it!

By Jennifer

May 23, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

Uh oh, sorry, I posted about illegals not (legal)immigrants..Sorry about that.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Hey Big Al—No, I won’t forget my Spanish, nor my Italian and Portuguese, and of course English. You see, I still speak the tongues of my ancestors and the tongue of my beloved Gwinnett. Get a history lesson and stop getting your facts from Lou Dobbs. Nothing wrong with the Constitution: “All are created equal”

By D

May 23, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

note to self: Montezuma doesn’t like it, so I must watch more Lou Dobbs

By lucky

May 23, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

Beni,

You did not mention the problem of border security in your article extolling the virtue of diversity in your community. Have the immigrants you did business with that day mastered the English language? If not, did you question their status before you gave them your money?

My grandparents were legal immigrants who never had a hand out for support from the government; in fact, it was vice-versa. During the depression, my grandfather lost his job and they refused to accept welfare, they moved into their basement and rented out their house to boarders. When the water was shut off, the children could not attend school without clean clothes, so they did not go. My grandmother took all of her children to an oil refinery office and cried, and they gave my grandfather a job but made her promise not to tell anyone how he was hired. And she never did.

There are ways and avenues illegals can and should explore before crossing our borders with disregard for our laws, yet they choose the criminal approach. The marching Mexican flags brought to light a problem we all had been ignoring for too long. We need to be vigilant when hiring anyone to perform work for us at our homes or when visiting their place of business. Be upfront and ask if you are unsure of their status, and take your business elsewhere if you cannot be reassured they have some sort of legal papers.

And clean house during the next election.

By JAMAL

May 23, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

I enjoy reading the jail listings every week. If we do away with all ILLEGALS, then my weekly reading will be cut in half. I won’t get to hear of the meth lab they just busted in Gwinnet. C’MON we need the crime…keep the illegals. It is no longer filled with African-Americans.. it is now 75% hispanic.

By Mosseta

May 23, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

It sounds like you should buy American products and shop from Americans. Your taste feeds into the immigrant idea of amnesty.When your children have no college scholarship or have not ER physician b/c immigrants take it all, then maybe you’ll get it. If they are such good people, why not stay in their own corrupt countries and improve them?

By Swangirl

May 23, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Does “being tolerant” mean I have to keep paying increasing health insurance premiums and school taxes so that illegal immigrants can get free medical care, demand Spanish-speaking teachers, refuse to speak our language, wave a Mexican flag in my face and demand their “rights”?

That’s not tolerance. That’s stupidity.

Gwinnett did fine before the ILLEGAL immigrants arrived and it will if they go. The LEGAL immigrants are welcome to stay.

By Big Al

May 23, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Montezuma. History is history and we are talking the PRESENT. YOU ARE REPRESENTING THE LAW BREAKING ILLEGAL POPULATION. GET A LESSON IN OUR LAWS. And Lou Dobbs has more intelligence and sense than you will ever have. THE END

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

note to D: You can also watch “Schindler’s List” and get educated on massive deportation/elimination techniques”

By D

May 23, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

I feel Latinos want to change this country just to suit themselves, the Mexican flags marching on our country was proof of that, I’m glad that now I can talk about this issue without being labeled a complete racist, but the fact that our flag was used in the following marches, merely as a tool of manipulation made me even more mad, I wonder what has happened to those flags now. as a veteran, I know there is a proper way to stow a flag, and to say the least, I doubt that is happened to those flags now. when you’ve known people who went out of their way to serve extra for their country and not return home, it really hurts to see people take such advantage of us, and do it in a way that is self-righteous and without compromise. what a shame.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Big Al— THE END? The end of what? History? Intelligence? or your nonsense?

By Van

May 23, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Michael H. Smith, “…does this then allow us to lay aside our humanity, we are talking about human beings here?” - Are you nuts?

If the illegal is working then they have commited identy theft, or used a phoney SSN. Do you think that identy theft is okay?

If they are paid under the table, then they ar avoiding paying taxes, and the IRS does not let YOU get away with that, do you feel that is okay?

If they hae a stolen SSN or a phoney card, they can get a Drivers License, if they have a DL, they can vote, do you feel that is just okay, “we are talking about human beings”.

How many crimes must they commit before people start waking up and seeing them for what they are, criminals.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Michael Smith,

I sympathize with their plight, however, they should follow the legal path to work in the country.

Freedom Fighter,

I don’t dislike immigrants, legal or illegal. See my message above to Michael. I have many friends who are still waiting in line to become citizens who did the right thing. Change is inevitable but with your logic we may as well open the borders to everyone.

Do you even look at the Black communities where there are influx of drugs? How do you think they get here? Mexico is the number one route for illegal drugs coming into America. Along with tolerance and love for our fellow man and women, common sense is key. Not every illegal immigrant is law-abiding just not every American is law-abiding. Yes, I welcome those hard-working people who come legally.

By Freedom Fighter

May 23, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Much of this anti-immigration rant is very similar to the noise that was made when Jim Crow was ending and integration began in the late 1950’s through the 1970’s, especially in the South.

Integration eventually won out and America is stronger and better because the nation no longer sanctions state sponsored separation of the races.

A reasonable and humane immigration policy that is workable and winnable for native born Americans and foreign born naturalized citizens and immigrants too will eventually win out.

It is always darkest before dawn—and we are on the verge of brighter days; in spite of how stinging many comments are.

The old America of simply a white and black society is fast fading away. And there is nothing we can do to revive it.

By Common Sense

May 23, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

When a country allows amassive influx of uneducated people with a long history of corruption and gang activities it is inviting the decay of its social, cultural and economic structure. Gwinnett would be better off without a large illegal immigrant population. If you don’t think crime is worse than ever because of the massive infux of illegal immigrants feel free to leave your automobile and house doors unlocked for the next 24 hours and see if you still belive that tomorrow.

By Montezuma

May 23, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

How true, Freedom Fighter. Finally somebody with a sensible and intelligent analysis. Laws need to evolve an acommodate new realities. It took a struggle back in the 50’s and it is taking a struggle now. But intelligent people can understand that this is a different world. Globalization means exactly that, a new paradigm for the movement of goods, services AND PEOPLE. We as a country need to take the lead in modifying arcane laws that don’t correspond with the new realities of our times. Let’s do it without inflaming bigotry and xenophobia, forget the redneck approach and see to the future of a multicultural and diverse society, not necessarily a melting pot, but a salad!

By D

May 23, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

I grew up in Gwinnett and was always interested in language, different cultures, geography, and history, one reason I joined the Navy, but for someone growing up here in the 70’s, there wasn’t much of an outlet for that, in the 80’s things really started changing. I was in favor of that, and it was good, and for all the little things. I like having all the different restaurants to choose from, the different people to learn from. there was once basically only black and white, and the painting is much better now that we don’t just have two colors, I don’t think that is the issue. and it’s not that somebody is darker than us, it’s none of that. it’s similar to the fact that I like a good rain, but not a damaging downpour.

By D

May 23, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

“let’s do it without inflaming bigotry”, then you say “forget the redneck approach” guess what? redneck and gringo are as hateful as the ‘n’ word, all used for the same pathetic reasons.

By S.D.

May 23, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

The immigrant issue is convoluted by those whom are illegally in this country. This is why it must stop. First, we are talking about illegal immigrants, who don’t pay taxes, which puts them out of any health-care plan, Medicaid or pensions and it is not totally about Hispanics. There are many races that are here illegally, and to say this country can not survive if people who break the law are forced to obey it (we can’t survive without illegal immigrants) presents the biggest problem. If we have American citizens who are here legally incarcerated, we can send noncitizens home that broke the law and replace them with citizens who also broke the law. They can positively contribute and alleviate the financial strain of keeping them incarcerated. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Send’em home!!

By Freedom Fighter

May 23, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

To: Montezuma

Amen! Well said. I join you in this noble struggle and be assured that victory is ours.

It is a law of physics that the strongest point of resistance is at the yielding point. But with continued pressure there is always a breakthrough.

Montezuma, we are on the verge of a breakthrough for a fair and just immigration policy. And not a punitive and prejudiced based immigration policy. Believe it!

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Van- I hope you’ve read my many comments. Illegal aliens have committed crimes, this is not in dispute. However, probably by my fault of omission the things you’ve noted I do believe are felonies. Though admit the lawful truth about the guilty in this nation. In this country until you are convicted of a crime or felony offense, you really aren’t guilty of anything in the eyes of our law. Yeah I know it’s a bummer dude, but that’s the way it works. I know illegal aliens are criminals, you know illegal aliens are criminals. But what I’ve described in short detail is about the best possible means to actually get about half of this criminal number out of this country, a half that may never be able to return. Otherwise will never get a tenth deported, will not solve the problem and we’ll end up with the continuum of uncontrollable crashing numbers of illegal aliens invading our country.

By Dave

May 23, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

To LegalMK - You’re right, educated offspring of illegals can be assets to the country. But so can educated offspring of LEGAL immigrants. If we reduce or eliminate the illegal ones our public schools will be better, therefore rendering better educated people into our society. Using the exscuse that the sons and daughters of illegals are good for the country is like saying having a 2nd degree burn is good for your skin because new smooth skin grows back.

By Kay

May 23, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

When It come to Montezuma, why are any of you answering this idiot. This person and that is being kind is crazy. Stick to the issue at hand. Immigrantion in the right form is good meaning legally. I personally consider it a slap in the face to all the American Citizens who have immigranted to this country legally, that our government is even debating about what to do with illegals. Send them back!!!

By Cletus Snow

May 23, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Ask the native americans “the Indians” about illegal aliens.The real eye opener will be when a terrorist crosses our southern border with a small nuclear device, or some biological weapon. The borders must be secure, as they are in every other country.

By D

May 23, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

yep, I just see truth and fairness for what it is, without all the muddle of political correctness or favoritism, that’s why the right has always hated me as much as the left, I can’t think of a better tribute to my life.

By Bo

May 23, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

The most important thing our worthless, lowest rated in U.S. History, pathetic excuse of a Congress needs to do is to change some of the existing laws that would make illegal entry into the U.S. less attractive. First off lets change some of the laws so Maria in her falling apart Toyota can’t shoot across the border into the U.S., pop out baby Jose after being here for two hours and then has an anchor in this country and she doesn’t even know the difference between Philadelphia and Portland. No child of an illegal invader should be a U.S. citizen, thats just absurd, totally outrageous on the part of our laws. Study your vote this mid-term election, vote for those only on record for tougher imigration laws. The ones you don’t vote for, let them know why. Amercia can and will be ours again, it will take some effort, and pushing aside of the stupid liberal mindset infesting our nation today, but it can be done. Beautify Amercia, deport an invader!

By Jessica

May 23, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

America is a country of Immigrants. Many minority groups have been and continue to be marganalized because they are immigrants or because of the color of their skin. It is time for us to embrace the 20th century and realize that many cultures and immigrants only enrich our country and stop the racist and closed minded thoughts. Gwinnett, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and America in general would not be as vibrant without different cultures and immigrants. documented or undocumented people still have dreams, values, needs, and most of all are still humans that wish to provide for their families. Yes a legal pathway would be great, but check the family backlogs it is not a process that takes 1 year rather it can take up to 15 years. Embrace not attack change.

By Joe

May 23, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Go to Mexico for two reasons. One, to see what Amercia may look like one day if we don’t act soon and the other reason to see why they flee there. I don’t mean the tourist spots for Americans and Europens, heck..those places don’t allow their own people there. Go to the cities and see the filth, the third world conditions and the poverty and breath a beep breath and say to yourself, this is Mexico today, America tomorrow.

By Utter Disbelief

May 23, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

If these viewpoints represent the new South, then heaven forbid that the old South ever ‘rise again’!

By Mikhail

May 23, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

America is a land of immigrants, stop being a racist pig, I’m a human being, I just want a better life for my family, I’m doing jobs that Americans and for that matter no one else really wants to do either, the southwestern U.S. is ours, why aren’t you picking on Canada, si se peude, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,…..stick a tortilla in it!

By FritoBandido

May 23, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Si Senoir, Or just go to downtown Detroit.

By Bo

May 23, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Jessica, you’re having a blonde moment.

By Jose

May 23, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

Trabajamos más duro que Americanos por eso los hombres de negocio nos quieren aquí. Los americanos son demasiado grasas y perezoso. El negocio decide quién permanece a bebés no gordos de grito. Hágalo un favor y aprenda español.

By George Rodriguez Espada

May 23, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

Undocumented immigrant? what is that? is a illegal alien? a new dessert? But really the AJC is a left wing newspaper that needs Spanish readers since they purchased “Mundo Hispanico” one of the worst newspapers in Georgia. So that is why they don’t want to offend..it’s undocumented!, not illegal!

The Mexican Government is a dismal failure, no jobs, no welfare, no health care, no system of justice and no civil rights, corruption, drug trafickking, human smuggling, pushing it’s own people in the Arizonian Desert, but if you make it don’t forget to send money back to your families, where would you prefer to live?

The double standard produced by President Fox is outrageous, disgraceful and disrespectful! But Our government is too anemic to fight back!

Jorge

By The Sensible Nativist

May 23, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Of course Gwinnett County, Atlanta, the state of Georgia and the United States could exist without immigrants and my wages and hourly pay might not be depressed by the intense competition for jobs as a result. I don’t see anything wrong with immigrants coming to America to seek a better life, but not all at once! That number of 12 million “illegal” or “undocumented” immigrants or whatever official term that you want to call them is a very, very low-ball number because there are probably 12 million “undocumented” immigrants just in California alone (yeah, I can just see a bunch of non-English speaking illegals sitting around filling out census forms so that our imcompetent, anything goes federal government can come and find them).

What’s the point of of discussing or even debating this issue anyway? Our politicians in the federal government are deep in the pocket of big business interests (who want a cheap and endless labor pool to draw from, example: Wal-Mart) and can’t do enough pandering to immigrant groups whom they see as an exploding demographic who will keep either or both of the major political parties in power for a very, very long, long time. Heck! Every time the issue of immigration enforcement comes up in the Senate, the Senators, led by Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy, do their best to sneak in language and fine print that either A.) gives tens-of-millions illegals a quick back-door path to amnesty or B.) accelerates the rate of immigration into this country by making it possible for the tens of millions “undocumented” immigrants already here to easily bring in all of their extended families, an act to bring anywhere from between 30 to 200 million more immigrants by the year 2020.

Not to mention President Dumbo’s meaningless proposal to put 6,000 National Guard troops down on the border for a few months of training and desk duty, which is a hilarious joke at best and a condescending insult of historic proportions to American voters at its worst. What makes the Idiotic One’s proposal real insulting is that these troops will have no apprehension powers and no real authority to do anything besides answering office phones for the “Border Patrol” and putting up a 300-mile fence on a 1500-mile border “to force illegals to cross the border in more uninhabited areas”, which if I may point out they’re already doing in off-the-charts numbers.

It seems that with such a porous border and a virtual wholesale invasion into the country by “foreigners” that the President, with some sense of immediate urgency, would want to put the Army, the Guard and the Marines down on the Southern border to stop the flow of “undocumenteds” into the country. It’s obvious that the Commander-In-Thief is nothing more than a rapid liberal wearing a bad Conservative’s mask and no clothing (the Emperor has no clothes!)…runaway government spending, massive budget deficits and UNCHECKED AND UNFETTERED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION that will most assuredly dramatically change the nation’s ethnic and racial balance.

And it’s not just the Commander-in-Screwup himself, but the blustering and crooked f—- ups in the U.S. Senate and big business interests that all share the blame in opening the flood gates to massive and “illegal” immigration.

By D

May 23, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

thanks Jose, you just proved my point, get out your Spanish to English dictionaries everyone. according to him, we are fat and lazy, and whining little babies. Jose, yo aprendar, El Bufe Gratis is cerrado ahora, La Fiesta es terminado. I listen in public places to Latinos putting us down, sometimes someone may even figure it out and change their conversation, but it’s sad that any of you would hold us with such contempt and disrespect after all America has done for you. that’s the whole reason why the the free buffet is closing!

By Ajamu

May 23, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Par of what i think people are failing to realize is that with illegal immigrants and their “American born ” children is that many of these illegals;especially from Mexico; are members of long established GANGS. Not just a bunch of rowdy teenagers but notorius MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS. The stereotype of gardeners and construction guys is a cover for some big time drug dealing. La Onda, La Raza, Aztecas and many more are here to stay primarily because of greedy builders, lazy county and state bureaucrats and lazy housewives who allow CONSUELO to clean their house and cook their food. Georgia you have been set up and taken and now you will reap the whirlwind for disrespecting Black men and THEIR families. Watch as your crime rate goes up and your property values go down. My question is, Do HAITIANS want to work!!!? WHY CAN’T THEY GET IN? BECAUSE THEY ARE TOOOO DARK. REMEMBER ALL HISPANICS ARE CLASSIFIED AS CAUCASIANS.

By NRA Member

May 23, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

It’s time to go hunting in the Arizona desert.

By Willie Clopton

May 23, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

It bothered me when I hear the news media group illegal immigrants and legal immegrants in the same boat. First of all, we are all immigrants, with the exception of the American Indian. Some of us came in this country through legal immigration and some of us was brought in this country to be slaves. Either way, we are all immigrants. The real issue here is, all people should come through our country through legal immigration and not illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is what I have a problem with, not legal immigration. It upsets me when I see people that broke our laws entering our country and demanding their rights! I must have been sleeping, when did illegals have rights in this country!

By The Sensible Nativist

May 23, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

Jessica: “It’s time for us to embrace the 20th Century”? From a person like you that is clearly CLUELESS, that sentence speaks volumes about your intelligence and understanding, or lack thereof, of the issue.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

No one said that America shouldn’t be diverse and that Americans don’t appreciate diversity. Personally, I resent anyone who comes to this country illegally and try to force us to give into their demands. The Mexican government needs to change their country, not America.

By The Sensible Nativist

May 23, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

How in the hell is anybody going to tell me that there are only 12 million “undocumented” immigrants in the U.S.? Los Angeles, a city of roughly 18 million, is the second-largest Spanish-speaking city in the world outside of Mexico City. At the current pace of illegal immigration, Atlanta probably isn’t too far behind.

By robc

May 23, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this

The Mexicans have had a couple of hundred years to fix there corruption and poverty, they can’t or won’t fix it so their answer is to invade another country, slowly, and make it just like home. Wow, if only Hitler would have tried the same tactic against europe there would have been no world war 2 and we would all be speaking german.

By No Hablo Espanol

May 23, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

Hey, there NRA member! If I bring my Sig, can I come along on the hunt? Can I, huh? Please?

By Justin

May 23, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

We talk about Gwinnett County, but Cobb County is fast becoming a haven for illegals. Check out the northern part of Powder Springs Road, Austell Road, and Atlanta Road. Windy Hill in West Cobb County is heavily hispanic. However, the old Belmont Hills plaza, which has been taken over is about to be demolished. Thank you Wal-mart for moving there.

By Patrick Romano

May 23, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

GWINNEXICO makes me want to move back to Barrow Co. Auburn area!

As a spouse of a Colombian citizen, and a USAF veteran that went through a three year process of citizenship “legally” with my wife(a portion of this time spent after 9/11 without my wife in Curacao, N.A. working as a contractor for the USAF)becuase she had not yet received her travel permission and we were not going to risk her being deprted out of fear!

The legal immigration process takes time and sacrifice, it’s not a God given in-alienable right when you are considered to be **”it’s no fun being an illegal alien!” but a privilege. I can say that for those who have done it legally they absolutely resent the ones who are doing it this illegal way!

Bottom line, as a tax paying citizen of this great country who served and sacrificed for his country, I’d love to see my property value increase not decrease with expansion and I’d love to not have to spend 20 minutes a day at a school bus stop with all the “illegals” and their parents who are Government subsidized who can’t/won’t get their immigrant kids to the bus stop on tiempo!

Just a thought!

Gwinnett would be great again if we annexed the Mexicans and let them come and go as our United States Government sees fit possibly the I don’t know “Guest Worker Program”!

One more footnote:

Read the historical plaque in Corpus Christi, Texas where it states that Corpus Christi was indeed annexed by the US! Remember the Alamo!

singed CONCERNED LEGAL CITIZEN

By test

May 23, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

I remember back in 80’s or when can’t recall exact years… but back then immigration itself was a big issue. Too many legal immigrations. Now, we are faced with too many illegal immigrations. People say that it is okay to come to the US if you are here legally. That is one big PIECE OF BS. After all illegals are removed from the US, next it will be all legal immigrations. I say the vast majority don’t support immigration period….

By Regina

May 23, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Commentary: Message to the NAACP on the Subject of Immigration – Hello, Is Anybody Home?

www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/phillips411

By MisterL

May 23, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

I think that Gwinnett will be fine, immigrants or no, we always seem to adapt in Atlanta, and i don’t see this as being any different. Dekalb county caught it first, now the rest of the outlying counties will get a taste.

By juancho

May 23, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

we came here and we will stay here, thats too bad if you just didnt like it.

By Regina

May 23, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Commentary: Before We Join with Latinos on Immigration, Let’s Ask What They’ve Done for Us

www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/kane413

By No Hablo Espanol

May 23, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

juancho, besa me kulo, hijo la puta.

By PD

May 23, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Honey, do you spend any money with your own people?

By Justin

May 23, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Juancho, stay if you will…and when you or your compadres break into my house, touch my family or my woman, then you will suffer the consequences.

Also, the DUI rate is increasing by leaps and bounds because of the drinking and driving that is done heavily by your group.

Women of America…wake up! If you think American men are chauvinistic, wait until you encounter the attitude of Mexican men. The number of assaults has increased also.

By bubba9000

May 23, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

Man these illegals have some nerve. D I agree with you, many of these clowns are really stupid, virtually. I have no problem with legal and Mexican legal immigrants but some of these people expectations for us to be a suragate is ridiculous and unexceptical. Enforce our laws, punish the employer with jail time and we will see this problem correct itself. My rebutall is in E-spanio for the Amigo’s

No tengo que aprender español porque soy un ciudadano legal, dueño del negocio, y requerir a mis trabajadores ser ciudadanos de los E.E.U.U. y ningunos documentos forjados. Tengo solvecd esta edición, y muchos de usted son perezosos y mal educados, con habilidades sociales deplorables. Nosotros le subvenciona nuestro gobierno, y pues una nación librará este país de yourafter que votamos a políticos fuera de oficina, y deporta a le y a sus niños. No cuidado de ellos nací aquí, usted es ilegal y no conseguirá ninguna ciudadanía si la gente americana tiene su opinión tan.

By Justin

May 23, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

Beni Dakar just wants an illegal immigrant man to be appreciative to her and marry her because she probably can’t get an American man.

By Omar

May 23, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

More and more Black people need to blog on this topic because from where I sit, most of us don’t agree with amnesty no matter what our “so-called” leaders spout.

We don’t get along with most hispanic people. Look at the gangs in California! As the article posted by Regina stated, “Before We Join with Latinos on Immigration, Let’s Ask What They’ve Done for Us”. The president of Mexico told us we are a bunch of non-working fools. The only thing he didn’t call us was n——r! And, I bet he was thinking it. Black people better get a clue!

Beni, instead of supporting everyone else’s business, you need to support some Black businesses.

By jon harahush

May 23, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

you fail to make the disctinction between ‘illegal’ and ‘legal’ immigrants.

most people have no problem with legal immigrants. your column is totally irrelevant to the immigration debate.

By bobby

May 23, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

I am more afraid of what terroist have crossed the same border that remains open. I have no problem with immigration except that it isn’t working. There has to be some working system . The government is waiting for a couple of bombs to go off then they will close the border. I understand that you will do anything to eat but there has to be a process that is fair to all. Unfortunately with the corruption in Mexico and with their President not being removed for just what he stated about Blacks, there will be no change. Close the borders now and set up a worker program so we can track who is coming or going or Bin laden and the boys will give us a good, painful reason later.

By Madam

May 23, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

Any services rendered by immigrants would still be rendered even if they weren’t here and more than likely the American unemployment rate would be less. If they’re such great workers why don’t they take their skills back to their homelands and make a living there? Why don’t they come together and take a stand in order to better their own homelands? Why don’t they work to make things better for their lives there? Because we make it easier to do over here and although we shelter them they hate us. Life here is easier because even as a whole they won’t even fight or try to improve their own homeland. They feel Americans are dumb, stupid and lazy, but what they failed to realize is that we’re what they’re trying to be.

And you thought you had it bad with us African Americans …

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

Oh there is a workable system. It’s called enforcement, enforcement, enforcement.

But it is not amnesty,amnesty, and guest worker amnesty.

By Robert Gama

May 23, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Freedom Fighter and Montezuma, for responding to these xeonophobic, racist, and ignorant posts. You give me hope that this country can become a better place. Like it or not, this country is rapidly changing and will continue to change. As a U.S. citizen who is Hispanic and works in Gwinnett, I am profoundly delighted in the growing Hispanic population. I find it interesting that some of you use your personal anecdotes to stereotype a whole group of people, such as noting the problem of Hispanic gangs. What about the white gangs that are prevalent in the Northeast? Do you, or the media, regard whites as being violent or uneducated, as a result of these white gangs? I do worry about my young Hispanic brothers and sisters joining gangs and throwing their futures away. But why are they doing this? What are the underlying causes of this problem? How do we bring about meaningful change in the lives of these kids to stop the rapid, downward cycle?Nobody ever seems to try to address these very important issues in a meaningful way. As the economy has been negatively affected by Bush’s and the Republicans’ counterproductive policies, the very people that support these jokers need a scapegoat to blame for all the ills of this country. And the Republicans are more than happy to oblige by pitting the US populace against this group of people, the vast majority of whom are merely looking to survive and make a better life for themselves and their families. And by the way, D, don’t flatter yourself! Just because you do not understand the Spanish language (and no, a few known Spanish words does not make a Spanish speaker), it does not mean that they are talking about you. And if they are talking about you, what difference does that make? As if you and your ilk do not talk sh__ about the hard-working Hispanics that you may run across.

By Dell

May 23, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

People accept and love immigrants. People don’t accept illegal aliens. Please stop insulting the intelligence of your readers by failing to distinguish the two.

By Lori

May 23, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

How can so many educated people be missing the point? The point IS ILLEGAL immigrants. Why have laws if some will be followed and some won’t. I’m sorry, if American-born citizens have to live by rules, then every body that wants to live in the US should too. The country WILL survive without the law-breakers. No body wants to keep law-abiding people from living, working, having their children here. But unfortunately, anytime that something doesn’t go someone’s way, they want to scream discrimination. Maybe if these people that were so intent on protesting bothered learning the English language, they might understand what the point is. If you want a free ride, protest in Mexico to get it there. If you think living by the rules that all American-born citizens have to live with is so bad, then go back home and boycott Mexico to see if you have it any better. Quit your crying and learn how to pay your way like other hard-working Americans. And for you that are slow, again the point is the illegal immigrants, not the ones who come over as they should.

By MRC

May 23, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

I don’t live in Gwinnett but I’m pretty sure the residents there would be more than happy to get rid of ILLEGAL immigrants. I’m pretty sure the residents would love to be able to walk down their streets without bunches of ILLEGAL immigrants waiting for pickup trucks. I totally disagree with your column. Just because Y0U don’t shop, basically don’t support AMERICAN, doesn’t mean that the world, oh Gwinnett County, wouldn’t make it without ILLEGAL immigrants. I don’t want my hard earned tax money going to some ILLEGAL immigrant’s medical bill. LEGAL Americans are better off and CAN DO BETTER without your ILLEGAL immigrants.

By Martha May

May 23, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Yes, Gwinnett County could exist without illegal immigrants, but DeKalb could not. Go there. NOW! Cynthia McKinney needs your vote.

By MRC

May 23, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

[Seems like most of you describe illegal immigrants like blood sucking individuals you dont seem to realize that many of them have contributed a lot to this country, for example our Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez ( just to name one ) and he admitted when asked on CNN if his poor, uneducated parents were legal or illegal immigrants from Mexico, he answered ” its not clear “….educated children of of some immigrants can be real assets to the future of this country… much more than those who drop out of school and hang around doing nothing…. think about it.] His parents need to be deported also. I’m sure they are illegal because he skated around the question. Deport him too for allowing his parents to continue breaking the law.

By The Sensible Nativist

May 23, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Hey Lori, why should they even bother to wait patiently for the “legal” citizenship process and learn English when they just walk right across the border and be rewarded with a job, education for the kids and free social services? Hell! There’s people out there who up until a few weeks ago, when they were alerted and organized by the Spanish-speaking media, probably weren’t even aware that this issue was being discussed about them in English.

If the non-English speaking community and institutions are already firmly established in this country and there are no sincere or serious attempts at enforcement of our immigration laws, non-English speaking “illegal” immigrants have no incentive whatsoever to obey the laws that exist in wording only and not in actual practice by the Federal Government. So-called illegal immigrants or all races and ethnicities know that they can literally walk into the United States across either the Canadian or Mexican border (preferably across the Mexican border, because it’s in a warmer climate and more prosperous area) and get a job and even later on send for their families and live inside the country for the rest of their lives with virtually no fear of punishment or deportation (do you even hear of deportations anymore? I haven’t heard of one in years).

Heck! Even if by chance they are caught and detained while crossing into the U.S. at the Mexican border most people around the World know that the Border Patrol will give them a date for an immigration hearing, for which no one will go to look them if they don’t show up and usually release them (onto U.S. soil) after a few days (the government’s oh-so-effective “Catch and Release” policy). If I was living in despair in Mexico or some other despotic, corrupt or impovished locale with little or no opportunity and I knew that I could live so great a life in the U.S. relative to how I live in Mexico or elsewhere, I’d be on my way to the U.S. too, rather I knew English, applied for legal citizenship or not. No wonder half of the population of Mexico wants to live here and one-sixth of the population of people born in Mexico lives in the U.S.

By Jazzy

May 23, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

Seems like the services the author purchases is rendered by immigrants, so, what do non-immigrants do for her?

Lets see … non-immigrants won’t get hired for construction, landscaping, janitorial/cleaning, cooking, dishwashing, almost all agricultural jobs, …

These are all great jobs that Americans WOULD do for the right wage.

By The Sensible Nativist

May 23, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this

Here’s how the Feds can truly enforce our so-called immigration laws:

Sealing the border is also a quality-of-life issue as we continue to let the government of Mexico export its poverty and quite possibly its corruption and crime here to the U.S. (as if we don’t have enough of our own poverty, corruption and crime to deal with).

Maintaining the status quo is HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE as Mexico will continue to send us its poverty, corruption and crime. Call and cuss out your U.S. Senators and Representatives today! I applaud what the state of Georgia is trying to do to deal with the problem and the population crush that has resulted from unchecked and even encouraged massive illegal and undocumented immigration. Its the local governments, schools, hospitals and social services that have to deal with the effects of the sudden population growth of communities of people that can’t only not adequately pay for the services that existing legal citizens can barely afford (most notably health care and education), but also communities of people that can’t even speak English which has furthermore burdened many already overburdened essential public services (hospitals, schools, fire, police, etc.) almost to the breaking point. Just look no further than the local counties of Dekalb and especially Cobb and Gwinnett County to see my point.

By Please Explain

May 23, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

GWINNETT FOR ALL! Whites, Blacks, Hispanic, Asians, Straights, Gays, Catholic, Baptists, Muslims and Bahais, Legals & Illegals. THE NEW AMERICA! YES!

By frank

May 23, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

Dakar you are not making the distinction between illegals and legal immigration. We need to control our borders and regulate the amount of illegals coming in. Otherwise our standard of living will sink and our social services (hospitals, schools, and roads) will be overwhelmed. It is no just Mexicans and all South Americans that want to get in. It is millions of people from other countries that want to get in. The USA is trillions in debt already and we just can’t absorb the worlds poor. We are not a rich country. We are in debt up to our necks. We need to seal the border and prosecute employes who hire illegals.

By Ana Maria

May 23, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this

What’s the difference btween a legal and illegal immigrant? Legal immigrants with green card are still second class citizens, we cannot vote, no, but yes, you can join the f* army and see our sons slained in Iraq. How do you call this? What’s the use of obeying the law?

By VIME

May 23, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

I think that a lot of illegal inmigrants pay more taxes that same of you folks.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

A special thank you to Jorge’ Rodriguez Espada for telling the truth about Mexico and that corrupt piece of dog sht Vicente’ Fox and his puppet Jorge’ W. Arbusto. If every American with Spanish parts stood-up like this guy, we could wrap this illegal immigration package up in no time flat. The rest of you Hispanics who claim U.S. citizenship need to find a dmn spine!

Free Mexico from coruption, oppression and abuse.

By indocumentado

May 23, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

I like Gwinnet county,a lot of people speak spanish,my boss is a red neck he studied spanish in high school he allways speak spanish to me,thats the way to go people,two languages is better than one,without inmigrants Gwinnet will be a boring place,no janitors,waiters,taxi drivers,babysitters,day laborers,I am a rich illegal I gave good tips,when I go out for dinners I place a sign on my table SPANISH PLEASE, theuy allways find out somebody who translate for me,hola amigo,they allways greet me,ja ja ja you need inmigrants,specially in the ATL.ADIOS AMIGOS.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

Ana Maria if you have to ask what is the difference between a legal immigrant and a illegal immigrant then all your other questions, assertions and delusions about the United States of America are now and probably will be forevermore completely, totally and emphatically irrelevant ad infinitum.

We are a nation of laws!

PS. If it was up to me only legal immigrants could ever serve this country’s military and not without speaking English and taking the solemn oath of single allegiance to the United States of America – meaning no mixed loyalty whatsoever!

By Harmony

May 23, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this

Jazzy said:

Lets see … non-immigrants won’t get hired for construction, landscaping, janitorial/cleaning, cooking, dishwashing, almost all agricultural jobs, These are all great jobs that Americans WOULD do for the right wage

If you are right then your beef is (like Cynthia Tucker points out in her recent column) with greedy employers and citizens who enjoying saving money at the expense of overworked and underpaid immigrants.

Blaming the immigrants when we should be targeting their employers’ for exploiting them and us—is like a wife being mad at her cheating husband’s girlfriend; instead of being angry with him for cheating on her.

Go blast the many GOP businessmen and businesswomen who would rather pay below market rate wages to earnest immigrants than to pay a fair wage to earnest natives.

By the way, if these employers raise their wages to attract natives to perform needed labor needs; then the increased cost of labor is passed onto us—the consumers. So are you really winning in the long run?

By Randy J

May 23, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Beni, My wife is having a fit for a new silk blouse and quite frankly those crab legs sound quite tempting. Do you mind if I come over to your house as a “undocumented visitor” to help myself? Afterwards we could take a late night leisure strool down Jimmy Carter Blvd.

By Michael H. Smith

May 23, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

Yes we are really winning in the long run when we enforce are laws. All of our laws. The illegal economy is costing far more than the cost of the legal economy we lawfully should have.

By Freedom Fighter

May 23, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this

Regina,

The Black Commentator does not have a monopoly on black folk’s opinion on immigration. Anthony Samad is about as Areocentric as a brother can be and this is his take on the recent immigration protests. Samad thinks that blacks could learn a thing or two from the immigrants about organizing and leveraging one’s power.

http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/commentary.cfm?ArticleID=5233

By dr johnny flash

May 24, 2006 04:51 AM | Link to this

what a load of racist crap. give me a break for Christ’s sake will ya.

i am sick to death of those who have the nerve to lump ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS in the same catagory as those LEGAL IMMIGRANTS who work hard to make America great.

what part of I L L E G A L dont you understand again? what school system did you graduate from? or are you just a fine example of AFFIRMITIVE ACTION?

sorry, you brought that on yourself when you decided to write a load of crap …

By dr johnny flash

May 24, 2006 05:13 AM | Link to this

once and for all. this is NOT an immgration problem. the real question is …

WHAT DO WE DO WITH UP TO 20 MILLION ILLITERATE DAY WORKERS WHO HAVE ENTERED THE US ILLEGALLY?

and for the giggles of it all …

WHO THE HELL GAVE VINCENTE FOX THE RIGHT TO TELL US WHAT WE SHOULD DO WITH HIS GARBAGE?

these are the throwaways that even Mexico doesnt want.

they are criminals … PERIOD … and to answer the original question, what would Gwinnett, or the rest of the US do for that matter without illegal scum?

We’d do very well, thank you very much. Hell, employers might have to pay a LIVING WAGE ….

By anita j

May 24, 2006 05:29 AM | Link to this

One thing some of you have not brought up….why dont they FIX their own damn country…they rant & rave how wondeful mexico is…good have the cahones to FIX it…stop trying for easy handouts from others..like us. I am also tired of the comparisons to Nazi Germany…..altho you may want to call the nazis….”undocumented” immigrants to Poland et al!—yeah right…….

By wax

May 24, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this

welcome to to the USA in one hand and register to vote in the other hand.

By AM

May 24, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

Our government is to blame for letting this go on and illegals would not be here in such disgusting number. Unfortunately, our elected officals have been bought off by big business (WTO Business Model)and they no longer represent our interests. This is totally unconstitutional. They want to flood the US with cheap labor and eventually ALL jobs will go to the lowest bidder, with no benefits. VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS OVER AND OVER UNTIL THEY AGAIN REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.

By Van

May 24, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

President Fox has succeeded in moving 10% of his population from Mexico to the US. And those inside 285 think that is just great.

10% is not a mere imigration, La Raza (The Race) is coming.

By test

May 24, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

One thing some of you have not brought up….why dont they FIX their own damn country…they rant & rave how wondeful mexico is…good have the cahones to FIX it…

I believe the key is to make Mexico a a higher living standard country. But this is very hard and no one knows how to do that. If you can do this, you will win a nobel prize. When Mexico econmey is doing well, no one will want to come here to the US. Do you know that there are over a dozen or so countries who can come to the US without visa? Do you know why that is? The vast majority of the countries were visa is waved have a high standard of living. Those ppl would not even live in the US even if they were allow to why? because they are happy where they are at.

By Michael H. Smith

May 24, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

No one knows how to do that or no one wants to do that?

It’s not due to a lack of know how that is holding Mexico back. It is the profuse amount of corruption, a very weak democracy at best, a closed marketplace, low paying jobs, a p poor banking system that disallows common people to secure loans, and a sub-standard educational system that by the way discriminates against the indigenous people (Indians) of Mexico.

Go after the corruption, establish a strong two or three party political system, open up the Mexican marketplace, create higher paying jobs, make credit available to the common Mexican, improve the educational system and end the discrimination that exists.

Now how many hardworking Mexicans do you think are ready to get’er done?

By Omar

May 24, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

Black callers are burning up the phone lines at Black radio talk shows with anti-immigrant comments. They are bombarding Black newspapers with letters blasting illegal immigrants. Most Blacks, regardless of what polls say and those of some so-called Black Leaders, state that most Latinos are hostile, even racist, toward Blacks. The quip by Mexican President Vicente Fox last May in which he praised the work ethic of Mexican illegal immigrants and disparaged that of blacks, caused deep resentment. But the issue that p****** a raw nerve is the issue of jobs. We still don’t know the extent in which illegal immigration depresses wages and helps fuel joblessness among Blacks.

The increased visibility of undocumented workers in low wage service and retail, construction and light manufacturing jobs that Blacks once were employed in has stoked resentment and reinforced the perception among Blacks that illegal immigrants take jobs from Blacks.

Then there is the issue of law enforcement. Polls show that blacks increasingly are more supportive of the police and back tough crackdowns on gangs and drug violence. They also rankle at what they perceive as the kid-glove treatment by authorities of illegal immigrants. While there is no evidence that that is the case, that’s the perception by most Blacks.

By Paul

May 24, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

What is so terribly complicated about the word ILLEGAL? Perhaps we should all make lists of the laws that we don’t like, place them somewhere “special” and light ‘em up. It would appear that the vast majority of us are sufficiently sensible to see that this is a serious problem that hurts all citizens in the long run. Sorry, we’ve been busy painting out graffiti, filing zoning complaints for the usual “cultural issues” (overcrowing, yard parking, trashy homes, etc.) and tracking down another batch of gank punks in our neighborhood - the latter are now guests of the county. Illegal means illegal, period - like it or leave.

By Omar

May 24, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Freedom Fighter,

We should work to ensure own citizens have adequate jobs, health care, etc. before we assist any other countries citizens.

By Fernando

May 24, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

To all who are using the word Illegal, please stop! I do not see where Ms. Dakar mentions illegal immigrants! Everyone is so full of hate that when the word immigrant appears you all jump on he opportunity to let out your racism. Please reread the aricle again.

Personally, I am a son of illegal imigrants who are now american citizens, my wife and three kids are americans but I will never turn my back on my people. Most of illegal immigrants here are good hard working people looking to better themselves or their families, just like anyone of us who went to college or has had to work two jobs to make ends meet. If these illegal immigrants were given the opportunity to pay taxes and have drivers licenses they would not refuse. Now Illegals who are working with fake IDs or fake green cards are contributing to the Social Security with no hope of ever using it them selves.

I think that the border should be controlled to stop illegal immigration but give the chance to the ones already here to be responsible for them selves by providing legal work so that they can pay taxes, pay for health insurance and support the economy.

But everyone here is full of hate and unfortunatelly you think that as an American Citizen you are given the right to descriminate, I’m sorry but the Social Movement did not stop with Rev. King!

Saluti!

By La Raza

May 24, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

I dream of the day the entire southwest will be part of Mexico again, along with other parts of the U.S. like northeast Atlanta - Gwinnewt, Gainesville. Adelante Raza, aqui estamos y de aqui no nos vamos. Venceremos!

By An American

May 25, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

When foreign people stop entering our country illegally and stop overstaying their visa to remain in this country illegally, we AMERICANS will stop calling these thieving invaders illegal aliens.

I too will never turn my back on my people, the American people. Unfortunately some U.S. citizens have no loyalty to America and the American people. Instead they are first loyal to their ancestry only and at best odiously place America and the American people in a second standing, if in any standing at all; and then only out of convience sake for mere personal monetary gain.

A deceitful arrogance hidden in nuance cannot obfuscate an implicit meaning buried in a writer’s content from the turpitude of its condescending explicit intent. As the readers of Dakar’s article have attested to her slight of hand in attempting to make immigrates, legal and illegal all the same.

As American citizens we have the inalienable right of self-governance long established in our Declaration of Independence: The right to make and enforce laws, the right to secure our property, the right to say who may enter and who must leave our country and the right defend our sovereignty as a people and a nation.

Only American hating racist bigots would attempt to disenfranchise the American citizens’ from our human right of self-governance. And to hatefully call this right, discrimination invoking the name of Dr. King to proclaim this disenfranchisement the social movement is to add slander to the insult of injury.

By November

May 25, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this

I see that True Natures have come out … I prefer that to that fake Political Correctness s**. I wanna know the true feelings toward me from my fellowman. Just like the flag issue here in Georgia, it shows you the truth. Let your true selves be known.

Here I go … Born Americans are now the minority. Hush conversation tones I used to hear in my neighborhood as a child are now spoken in anything but English. Every time I go out now I’m lucky if I see even one American, and many times I wonder if I am in fact in America, I feel like a Foreigner in my own county. Does it bother me? Yes, it does and I am Black. I’ve experience prejudice all my life –grew up in a time when teachers could call me a N****, now my own kind think it’s respectable to call me that! I see help issued to others of foreign country so easily …I can remember when it used to take the completion of a several page contract for a Black mother to get milk for her baby. The plan was to make the Mexicans the new n****, you do realize that, don’t ya? Only in America can you find True Colors.

November

By An American

May 25, 2006 04:52 AM | Link to this

When are you gonna drop the baggage November and accept your True American Colors?

By Beccaann

May 25, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

The key word is legal.

By test

May 25, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

As American citizens we have the inalienable right of self-governance long established in our Declaration of Independence: The right to make and enforce laws, the right to secure our property, the right to say who may enter and who must leave our country and the right defend our sovereignty as a people and a nation.

This is what Iraqi people were saying before the invasion. Look at them what happened to them. Their country is over run with foreign people not to live, but over greed and oil. Too bad Iraqies could not defend for themselves.

By November

May 25, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

An American No baggage, I have no choice but to accept the True American Colors; as I’ve always had to. I don’t have to like it though. I say what I feel.

By An American

May 25, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

November, you’ve always had the choice of accepting the True American Colors Red, White and Blue. Many of my generation, white as could be, made that choice wisely many years ago when all white schools that had allowed foreign legal immigrants of other colors to attend classes but barred our fellow countrymen, U.S. citizens who look like you from sitting next to us. As the day came when all white was to be no more and our fellow countrymen U.S. citizens who look like you sat next to us at last, we seen an American and accepted the True Americans Colors as only Red, White and Blue.

Many of us dropped the baggage of the past right then and there.

By Fernando

May 25, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

to:An American, your hate is all that shows in your words, “thieving invaders”. Let’s ask the Iraqis about thieving invaders, I hope you know the difference!

I’m Mexican born but have lived my whole life in the USA, I’m bilingual, bicultural and so are my wife and kids. I can assure you I am not in the only one. I have learned American History, American Literature and love this country, thanks to it I met my wife and have my kids, I have a great present and look forward to a great future, as well as my parents and sisters. But like I said before I will not turn my back on my people like I will not turn my back on my fellow Americans if needed.

Funny though that America begins in Argentina and ends in Canada but you are the only ones who chose to be called Americans when in fact we are all Americans.

Like I said before the illegal issue is not about money, about taxes, or about breaking the law, it is about haters like your self!!!

It is funny how the government changes subjects and minds so easily, about 6 months ago the Iraqi Invassion was the issue and it wasn’t looking good for Bush but now the focus is somewhere else and even though gas prices are not where they should be peoples’ minds are on the invassion’s scape goats, the ilegals.

Ciao

By An American

May 25, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this

Mixed loyalty is no loyalty. Go back and study geography, the Americas begins in Argentina and ends in Canada and only one country in the western hemisphere bears America in its name. Its people like you who think your excuses justifies breaking our laws that shows how you hate us and others who’ve played by the rules and have had opportunity stolen from them by narcissists who think they don’t have to wait in line to enter legally like others have respectfully. Enjoy the reward you have for it truly belongs to someone else. Before you spew your venom at me and others take it back to where it was created in Mexico and leave it there where it belongs.

By November

May 26, 2006 01:29 AM | Link to this

An American How White of you to drop the baggage so that citizens who look like me could sit next to y’all on the bus. And here I am thinking that Presidents and marches had something to do with that change! Actually, I didn’t ride a bus to school. You can easily accept the Red, White, and Blue, —and the Real Georgia Flag too because it was chosen by your own. Congratulations on your New Mexican America! November

By An American

May 26, 2006 02:38 AM | Link to this

Presidents are elected by majorities, how obtuse of silly me for thinking this is true. Though you too can choose now, can’t you November… to ride anything or sit wherever you darn well please. How white of us to have easily decided to go against, as you say our own, for the Red, White and Blue and to get rid of, as you say, that real Georgia flag from your view. Including the postage stamp too! Do carry on or carry whatever you choose or not, I’m glad you now have that unfettered right. But your kindness and congratulations are truly due to corporate internationalists for this New Mexican America designed to screw all Americans like me and you.