Immigration Reform

[Mole]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070518/ap_on_go_co/immigration_congress (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070518/ap_on_go_co/immigration_congress)


The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa" and — after paying fees and a $5,000 fine — ultimately get on track for permanent residency, which could take between eight and 13 years. Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first.

They could come forward right away to claim a probationary card that would let them live and work legally in the U.S., but could not begin the path to permanent residency or citizenship until border security improvements and the high-tech worker identification program were completed.

A new crop of low-skilled guest workers would have to return home after stints of two years. They could renew their visas twice, but would be required to leave for a year in between each time. If they wanted to stay in the U.S. permanently, they would have to apply under the point system for a limited pool of green cards.


I don't know what everyone thinks about this. I know we tried it before in the 80's and it didn't work becuase the government didn't fund the parts of the bill that had to do with border security.

I guess I'm just disappointed in my government. I think when we do this we send a message that it's ok to break our immigration laws. I don't have a problem with immigrants or immigration just a problem with people doing it illegally.

If you love this country so much and want to be a part of this great nation I'm all for it. Welcome. Go and persue your dreams and make a better life for yourself. Just be sure and show your love by following the rules and obeying the law.

I hope this time around it's different but I don't think it will be.

[blackgloves]

:bored: Just build the fences, go with razor wire and some sniper rifles

[GregH]

:bored: Just build the fences, go with razor wire and some sniper rifles
totally agree. The current prop is glorified amnesty. Don't trust shyte that Ted "hic up" Kennedy has his dick-beaters in.

[aggie1997]

I remember reading an article a couple of years ago about a business in Michigan that was setting up on-line hunting. Basically, you sit at your computer and operate a camera and gun via an internet connection. I think it got shut down by the state government, but I think this is a great solution for border security. Can you imagine how many rednecks would be online hunting illegal border crossers?

[adamrod]

I'm a little pissed too, but at least this is better than the old system. Republicans made sure to have the part put in about extra security on the border which will hopefully cut back on the number of illegals.

Considering the Democrats control Congress, this really isn't that bad. I'm hoping it leads the way to much stricter immigration rules being passed the next time Republicans are in control.

[Burnetaggie99]

I know my grandparents and great grandparents came from Germany and Spain back in the late 1930's. Were they illegal? They came here to USA and Texas to have a better way of life and work hard. USA was built by immigrants from all kind of countries. We are one big melting pot, thats what makes us so great. For the most part these people are just trying to find a better way of life and work hard for their family. I have known many in my time because we have 2 that help run our Ranch since 1978 and they have been away from their families since then, only sending money back home. These guys can talk, write, and read perfect English and now a part of our family. I don't know what should be done about the issue but I don't like whats going on right now. I know these guys have been here almost 30 years and worked 7 days a week on our Ranch since they were 23 years old. They should be able to have papers.

[whitelightnin_23]

what about having a volunteer border patrol?
anyone see any problems w/ that? ;)

[Pumchavas28]

:bored: Just build the fences, go with razor wire and some sniper rifles


I gaurantee you they would dig tunnells... & in some cases already have...

Not to mention they get smugled across by cars/trucks/vans & planes already...

A fence would do little to stop them...

If anything.... they would probably wind up using boats to just go up the coast of Cali & Texas......

The US can pass any & every law they want.... but until Mexico steps their shyt up to help the US... Nothing will work...

I think that if the US made a better effort of keeping tabs on who is employed in the US, that might help.

[Mole]

I know my grandparents and great grandparents came from Germany and Spain back in the late 1930's. Were they illegal? They came here to USA and Texas to have a better way of life and work hard. USA was built by immigrants from all kind of countries. We are one big melting pot, thats what makes us so great. For the most part these people are just trying to find a better way of life and work hard for their family. I have known many in my time because we have 2 that help run our Ranch since 1978 and they have been away from their families since then, only sending money back home. These guys can talk, write, and read perfect English and now a part of our family. I don't know what should be done about the issue but I don't like whats going on right now. I know these guys have been here almost 30 years and worked 7 days a week on our Ranch since they were 23 years old. They should be able to have papers.

Have you asked your grandparents or greatgrandparents if the immigrated legally? I don't know if they did or not. Chances are they probably did.

Yes this country was built by immigrants and no one has a problem with that. I agree that America is one big melting pot but the people coming today don't want to be a part of that. They come to make as much money as they can and send it back home. The second biggest income stream for Mexico is the money that illegal immigrants send back from the United States.

If America is a big melting pot why is there so much resistance to making English the official language? Why does everything have to be printed in English and Spanish? Why are the street signs along Bellaire in west Houston printed in Chinease?

At one of the recent immigration protests a group of Mexicans took down the American flag in front of a post office and raised the Mexican flag. That happended on American soil.

Why is it when you want to encourage legal immigration and prevent people from coming here illegally LULAC and the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund cry racisim?

You want to come here and work and better you family? Fine. You want to work in the fields or do construction or whatever? Fine.

Have the decency to come in legally and pay your taxes and help support this great country.

[whitelightnin_23]

^
^
agreed...quit using our resources and not pay into them (cough, cough...healthcare)...

[DCAggie]

True. Most immigration in the old days was through legal channels and the numbers were regulated. No one is gonna deny, or at least many, that immigration is needed for certain jobs--unskilled guys for the crap jobs and some skilled folks for the tech type jobs. But unfettered illegal immigration doesn't address that. People argue that it's a market thing, but if the market is truly working here, why is it such a burden on our government services--welfare, hospitals, schools, etc?

[Mole]

People argue that it's a market thing, but if the market is truly working here, why is it such a burden on our government services--welfare, hospitals, schools, etc?

Is this a retorical question?

[whitelightnin_23]

^
^
agreed...quit using our resources and not pay into them (cough, cough...healthcare)...

you want to bitch about the problems w/ healthcare (rising premiums, less coverage)...point your blame in this general direction (uninsured)

the hosp industry (in general) is being crippled by bad debts/un (and under)-insured...have to make it up through being paid more through H. Ins...so they're more aggressive in negotiations...
the gov't doesn't increase it's rates to keep up w/ inflation/rising costs...so H.Ins takes the brunt...but, they're certainly not hurting...the hurt is passed down to the consumer...as always.

[Mole]

white are you argueing with yourself?:huh:

[whitelightnin_23]

just expanding on my earlier point...

[Mole]

gotcha

[jacruzer01]

MOLE - I could not agree with you more when you say "Have the decency to come in legally and pay your taxes and help support this great country". I am a "mexican" American (spanish/mexican heritage) and it bothers me that people do not want to speak or learn English. If you want to speak spanish, chinese, german, in your home or among friends, whatever hey thats great but the national language of America is ENGLISH. Learn it, live it, know it. Plain and simple. Also pay your taxes and keep american money in america. I get alot of slack from other hispanics telling me "well what about our rights" and how can I say these things. We are in america, not mexico, not spain, not africa, not china. Be an american and follow american standards and rules.

Did I come across a little harsh?

[Mole]

MOLE - I could not agree with you more when you say "Have the decency to come in legally and pay your taxes and help support this great country". I am a "mexican" American (spanish/mexican heritage) and it bothers me that people do not want to speak or learn English. If you want to speak spanish, chinese, german, in your home or among friends, whatever hey thats great but the national language of America is ENGLISH. Learn it, live it, know it. Plain and simple. Also pay your taxes and keep american money in america. I get alot of slack from other hispanics telling me "well what about our rights" and how can I say these things. We are in america, not mexico, not spain, not africa, not china. Be an american and follow american standards and rules.

Did I come across a little harsh?

Not harsh at all.:gig:

I always like it when people who are in a country illegally talk about their rights. Last time I checked the Bill of Rights applied to American CITIZENS.

Remember your not a Mexican-American your an American who happens to be Mexican. If more people would think of themselves as Americans first we'd be a lot better off.

[DCAggie]

Is this a retorical question?

yes.

[Loftin]

:bored: Just build the fences, go with razor wire and some sniper rifles

You forgot the 10,000 volts of electricity...