A curious question about illegal immigration?

Question

Something interesting came up recently in a couple of questions posed here so I figured I’d get others opinions on it.

Many talk about the need for illegals to come here and how bad it is back home, but how many of illegals (both from Mexico AND elsewhere) go to other countries as well in the same amounts?

In other words, is the US the only place that they can come because the other countries aren’t good enough? Or is it that the other countries won’t let them in as easily? I mean while Canada may not, almost every country borders another, why not go to the OTHER country to make a better life?

I know the UK has had some illegal immigration problems and I am admitting ignorance here as to the degree, but when other countries look at the US and think we must be crazy to have such a problem, I become curious as to “why US?”

Any intelligent answers out there? I really am curious. (and if you think I am being a smart alek, I’m not. Look at my other questions, I LOVE real answers whether I agree or disagree).

made in america - I am not saying it is solely an american problem, my question is because it is not to the same degree in other countries as it is here, WHY?

american pride - having lived in CA all my life, I can assure you many of our problems have been being addressed long before Bush became president. BUT that doesn't answer WHY the US more than other countries?

angel - I am sorry for you, perhaps the pre-school section might be more appropriate for your participation.

<><><> - OK, but why can't the Mexican immigrants go to Guatemala or Beliz? Why do we get the Chinese and Korean illegals when we aren't even on the same continent?

Answer 1

A very good question!!! It's probably because the U.S. is CLOSER,and OUR government are the ONLY suckers who won't STOP them!!!!!

Answer 2

Britain is having problems because of the EU (free flow of workers etc. across the borders), plus a very lax immigration policy ... exactly as the US will be if this ridiculous SPP program will come on board in 2010 ...

Other than having to take mainly Eastern European people from the enlargement of the EU, Britain has had to contend with untold people from their former colonies, India, Pakistan, etc. as well as the crown colony Hong Kong. Ireland unfortunately got a lot of the overspill from Britain.

France had the same problem with immigrants from their former colonies in Algeria and Tunisia, and the Netherlands is still coping with the influx from their colonies, Surinam etc.

Other than that, apart from genuine refugees, it is very difficult to immigrate into Europe ...

Considering Europe has these problems, it is difficult to understand why the U.S. has the same problems BEFORE the borders have been done away with by the SPP agreement ... I mean, what will it be like afterwards? No other country in the world has an immigration policy based on taking the WORST elements economically speaking (the poor, uneducated etc.) All countries know of, INCLUDING the U.S. have a merit system based on education, work experience and/or financial status. The notion of taking emigrants who would be denied immigration status in any other developed country on God's earth that I know of, and by doing so breaking its own laws, belongs solely to the United States ... the practise as I said of a government encouraging unwanted emigrants by breaking its own laws beggars belief .... and yet we're told it is not a problem ....

Quite apart from immigration, how can it not be a problem that our own government blatantly ignores its own laws? Corruption anyone?

Answer 3

The only reason this is such a big issue right now is because our President, whether you like or dislike him, is very controversial and most Americans think he is doing poorly with the country so many issues that were just as bad 10 years ago are getting noticed because EVERYBODY has an opinion on the subject and are really just jumping on a bandwagon here.

Answer 4

from ur question i didnt fully understand weather or not u are frm USA or from UK, but, what i think is that everyone sees US with great respect, even the countries that are in war with the US, and look up to them as the richest of all, and what they auto matically think is that if they come to US, they would hav a better life than they would get in any other country. So their first choice will be the US.

I hope i am going in the right direction

Answer 5

the answer ... the 14th Ammendment to the US Constitution. Check it out and then go read about 'anchor babies'. This policy was changed years ago by most other free countries such as in the UK to include Britain, Australia, England and Ireland for examples.

Answer 6

Let's see if I can give the only "Logical" answer! The UK has nothing but water surrounding it. Canada has the world"s only super power on it's southern border, and good ole America has a Third world ghetto, sitting on our southern border. If you lived there, where would YOU go?

Answer 7

We have a really good track record. Since before we were even independent people have been coming here to start a better life and have been successful. some do go to other countries but we are a pretty good country to come to when you think about it. theres a lot of oppurtunity.

Answer 8

Well I am no expert. What I could say is, the boarder is right there. You can just walk over. And America has so many freebie for foreigners it just make more sense to me. And we also have cheap people that would hire on for cheap labor.

Answer 9

Because with Mexico it is more accessible to cross over than say Cubans who have to come on boat or other places where you would have to fly. We are just very easy to get to for the Mexicans. ( I didn't mean easy as in not hard, I meant it as easier to cross without other means.)

Answer 10

Illegal immigration is a problem in many countries. Believe it or not, even Ireland is having a problem. This problem is not restricted to the U.S.