What should be done with the illegal aliens already here?

Question

The estimates vary on the number of illegal aliens but for discussion sake lets say that there are 8,000,000 illegal aliens who have not committed a felony in this country. Keep in mind that over staying a visa or crossing the border without inspection is not currently considered a felony. What should be done with them? Should they be deported? Should a mechanism be created that would allow them to obtain legal status (i.e. green card) or should they stay the way are?
For the record, my personal view is that any illegal who has committed a felony (robbery, assault, murder, rape, arson, etc...) in the US has permenantly lost any chance to become legal.

Answer 1

I agree that felons should be deported and if caught entering the country again should be jailed (I added that part).

I think that if an illegal is not involved in criminal activities (with the exception of those being exploited into illegal activities such as prostitution) then they should immediately be granted temporary work visas so that they can obtain a job legally and once employed, can work towards becoming a legal citizen.

In the meantime, our borders should be protected big time and measures should be taken to reduce the red tape for law-abiding folks wishing to enter this country to work and make a better life to become citizens. If these people could do it legally, they would.

A simple background check and swearing in by the pledge of allegiance would be fine to get them in on a temporary basis and then give them 12 months to obtain employment, complete an English course, and so forth and then let them become legal citizens.

I am completely against rounding illegals up and shipping them out, but I am also against complete amnesty for 'law-abiding' aliens. I think a modest fine based on income and that can be paid over a 12-24 month time period would be appropriate 'punishment' for being here illegally...but once they do that, then they should get legal status.

America is a country of immigrants...we should embrace diversity and welcome people with open arms. I find it so ironic that people, mainly decendants of immigrants are so hateful towards immigrants...legal or not.

Answer 2

We need limited immigration to protect our schools and services, since poor people don't begin to cover in taxes the costs they cause to our services. Accordingly, whatever we do about the people there will have an impact on how many we can let in in the future. Also, giving amnesty, as much as our benefit and employment magnets, is another huge draw bringing illegals across. Accordingly I would not be in favor of it unless the problem were REALLY solved going forward.

If I had that, I would go for screened legalization (not citizenship) of those here. To me, felony is not the cut off. I think 'crimes' count. That means misdemeaners as well, and anyone in a gang, whether they have yet been convicted or not. They came illegally and then acted unacceptably.

However, even with the good sort their numbers are so huge that schools in our border states and areas where illegals concentrate are already failing. We cannot let them have the ability to bring in more. Granted that nuclear families should be together, there are two sides of the border where that reunion could occur. They would have to choose to stay, and not bring in family except for under existing quotas (no reconciliation benefit), or go, themselves.

Again, I would only be ok with that if the benefit and employment magnets were taken away, and real verifiable identification showed that the person in front of you was the person on the id, and a database indicated that person was eligible to work and was not 'already working' somewhere else. We would need real enforcement, including at every traffic stop, and every time someone is convicted of a crime, etc. Logically, we can't afford even those who are here and decently educate and care for our own. Their better life is at the expense of our children's future.

However, I don't think we could face years of mass deportation of the good sort, once the problem was solved. I know I couldn't.

Answer 3

Deport them all! if they are here illegaly, they have no regards for this country and its people. The idiots should have done it right in the first place, They would have had nothing to worry about. Put all Illegals into train cars and ship them back, North, south where ever they came from. Those that swam, I hope they are still in shape, cuz they are getting as far as the coast, and its up to them what to do from there....

Answer 4

Deport them. If we as Americans break the law WE pay the price, so if THEY break the law and aren't even an American then they should also pay the price! If they want to be American so bad then they should abide by our laws also which means filing to BE an American. They complain that as Americans our ancestors were immigrants which is true but when our ancestors came over it was open immigration. There are laws to be followed and since they didn't follow them let them feel the punishment as they should.

Answer 5

I do not believe we can or should reward illegal behavior and as such I would not allow them to become citizens - ever. The economic impacts of kicking them out is silly however and so we must identify them and offer them work visas; no work - no visa.

Answer 6

I realize this will probably never happen, but I for one would fully support any action that rounded up every single last illegal alien and sent them back to the countries from which they came. I have no sympathy for these people...none, zero, zip. If you can't be bothered to respect the laws of this land, then I can't be bothered to want you here.

Answer 7

You get the buses, I'll get some rope, burlap sacks, and my stun gun. We'll take them to some old prison and lock them in for 5 years, then start hauling them back over the border with microchips planted in so we can identify them if they try to approach again.

Answer 8

Genocide

Answer 9

I say they broke the laws of this country by entering illegally-send them home and let them apply for legal entry, like everyone else has to.

Answer 10

I totally agree with you....The one's who have committed a felony should be sent to jail.....As far as the ones here just working, should receive amnesty and be allowed to pay taxes.....Despite what everyone here says, they do add to our economy, by keeping inflation down....