Why are so many people against immigrants?

Question

a) The immigrats, whether they are legal or not, are just trying to make a life better life for themselves. America is supposed to be the land of opportunity after all.
b) Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. Everything Hitler did to the Jews was legal. Everything Columbus did to the natives of the Caribbean was legal. Slavery was legal.
c) Unless you're Native American, everyone in America is an illegal immigrant. America is a country made up of immigrants, it's what's supposed to make America so great.
d) The world has so many issues to worry about. It would be so much better if the general public focused their energy on something better, like preventing global warming.
e) According to the New York Times, immigrants actually make America safer (less crime).
f) Most people in America are in America because they're lucky, not because they've better.

I'm not trying to offend anyone, these are just my thoughts. Don't get angry over nothing.

Seriously people, read what I've written, don't just write down the first thing that comes to mind.

For more information on e) go to http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/magazine/03wwln_idealab.html

Some of these answers prove how ignorant people are.
Others show that there are people who are compassionate. I'm glad there are still people like that in the world.

Don't generalize, don't believe in stereotypes, and don't judge without all the facts.

Ok last detail...

Wow I think this it the most responses I’ve never gotten. For a question most people don’t like, I sure got a lot of responses.

If it’s naïve to hope for a better world, then I’m proud to be naïve.

Thank you to everyone who had respectful answers. It was interesting reading them all, whether they agreed with my opinion of not. I don’t know how accurate the information is, but it’s interesting nevertheless. To all the other ones, it wouldn’t kill you to get some manners. Come on people, lighten up! Stress is bad for you. I’m surprise at how vicious some people are, and rather disappointed. I was hoping that people were better than that, but I guess not.

Do some people honestly think illegal immigration is worse than global warming? Global warming affects everyone, it will create floods and destroy the major cities in America. People will die because of it, animals are already dying. Also, global warming is just an example. There are millions of others, like the AIDS epidemic and obesity crisis. Again these are only EXAMPLES.

It is true that some rapists and murderes will cross the border, but what people need to understand is that some of those people are already here and already legal citizens.

I'm not saying it's right to break the law, I just think that people are making too big of a deal. They should be worrying about other more pressing issues.

Answer 1

I used to date an Immigrant. So I am empathetic to the dream. She got her citizenship two years ago. And...she went through the legal processes and "earned it". I applaud her. I don't think the view you pressented addresses all the issues.

And I'm no expert on the subject. But to me the issue is not with all the immigrants, but the ones who do cause problems. Additionally, immigration as with everything, is best in moderation. Too much of anything can lead to trouble. Our open borders present a safety concern with respect to drugs and terrorism. If an immigrant can enter the country illegally and remain undetected, then a terrorist with a bomb containing any number of very bad things can too.
This is something that has not been adequatly controlled and it is now being recognized as a problem. Drugs smuggled by criminals are entering in the same way.
Yes this country was built by immigrants. And not in a fair way. It was pretty underhanded. However we are here now and as a country we must protect ourselves. Saftey and security is not and never will be convenient. And with terrorism more aggressivly posing a threat to the US something has to be done to protect ourselves. And that is not a popular idea. Some people will be negatively affected by it.
I'm not against immigrants. I am for safety and wellfare of our Country. These are my thoughts. Take care.

-Shakira, You say don't judge a book by it's cover but you include me fwhen you say whites blame others for their troubles. I am white and you are wrong. Don't judge me because I am the same race as the person you don't like. Thats being racist.
Bottom line, if immigtants watnto be in this country then they will have to accept the idea that they have to follow the rules of this country. Or go to another one. Or legally approach the issue using (I say again) The US's system.

When I go to Germany I don't demand that they treat me like I'm in America. Because I'm not in America.

Answer 2

There are different types of immigrations and there are different types of illegal immigrations. Some people come to the country, they work, get paid, and send their money to another country where it helps their economy. They do not live here. It's a temporary status for them until something else happens such as Amnesty, or they get tired of this life and move back home.

Personally I do not think these kinds of immigrants are helping the country at all. The only positive side to it is that they are hard workers, but that's not enough to be worth it.

There are others who come here, enter their own communities, and will not make an effort to learn language, culture, or anything that is believed is responsible for making this country great.

There are other illegal immigrants who come here, and at the moment they step into the country they make anything that is legally possible to them to remain here legally. That means enrolling into schools, adapting to society and so on. They learn to become "smart", and they have good adapting skills. And it's not genetic. If the other immigrants mentioned above would try their best, they would learn more. They just don't try.

The sad part is that those who don't try are usually the ones who do not value education, and are reproducing the most. They will create a new generation which will loose their parents morals and values, and they will get brought up by the streets. These people will soon be a majority that US will have to deal with. This is why illegal immigration is bad for the US.

US should allow only as many people in as they are capable to educate/teach. Some argue that that rate was passed over since the 1960's. I do not know the history that well, but I know that the direction we are heading is not that bright if nothing changes.

I'm an immigrant, and I'm not racist. I would help any illegal immigrant pursue his goals in this country, and I constantly stress education as the ONLY tool for them to reach their true goal.

Answer 3

u really have no idea whats happening in the real world do you? i agree that they are just trying to make a better life for themselves and you cant blame them for that but there are other ways to do it. how aout making they're own country a better place to live instaed of making our a shittier one? or just going through the whole process of naturalizing. if they cant naturalize i'm sure there is a reason . b)the fact that they broke the law to come here shows that our laws are not important enough to follow. c) america is a diverse country but what worked in the past isn't the best thing for the present. why not just let anybody in. d) yeah that global warming thing is much more important to the u.s. than protecting our people from murderers pedophiles rapist and terrorists. not that all immigrants are those kinds of people but how do we distinguish the good from the bad if we dont even know whos coming in. and even if they have no preior record now, it doesnt mean they wont do something wrong later. e)LOL thats a good one. the first ting they do is break the law just by entering. go and tell the brave men who patrol our borders that they have a safe job. they dont need to cary those handguns, shotguns and automatic weapons. leave those damn bullet proof vests at home. its a dangerouse world out there, just cause its not on the news doesnt mean it didn't happen. there is a lot that comes through our borders that you'll never know about.

Answer 4

a) I agree, America is the land of opportunity, and immigrants are more than welcome here, provided they come here legally. If they come here illegally, that technically makes them criminals. And most countries do not allow criminals to immigrate there. So why should we?

b) You're right, just because something is legal doesn't make it right. However, if something is ILLEGAL, that DOES make it WRONG.

c) Back before 1924, there was open immigration and everyone who came to America was here legally, because there was no law against it. The Immigration Act of 1924 changed the immigration laws and instituted quotas. So now, coming here without proper documentation is ILLEGAL and should be punished the same as any other crime committed.

d) Yes, there are a lot more pressing issues, but that doesn't mean we can just ignore immigration either.

e) Maybe in Vermont or North Dakota it does. But in California, nearly 1/3 of all prisoners are illegals. If you're coming here to work hard, benefit society, and eventually become legal, then you're welcome to come. But if you're coming here to cause trouble, then we DON'T WANT YOU!

f) I'm here because I was adopted. I got my citizenship when I was 4 years old. What is everyone else's excuse for not becoming a citizen?

Answer 5

a. Illegal immigrants are taking opportunities from citizens. They are not more entitled to the benefits here than we are.

b. Just because something is legal doesn't make it wrong either. This situation is not comparable to your examples. We are not responsible for Hitler, Columbus, or slavery. We are responsible for enforcing our laws and taking care of our citizens.

c. I am part Native American as are many people here. That part does not disappear simply because we also have European heritage. And what of the demand for citizenship for anchor babies? If we aren't legal after many generations of being here then they certainly are not.

d. Illegal invasion of a country by millions of entitled feeling angry people who are threatening to take over and kill us is not a problem???

e. Immigrants DO make this country safer, not invaders.

f. Lucky? That's debatable. And we don't think we're better, it's just that we are citizens and illegals are not. This is how it works in every country on the planet and yet we are supposed to have no control over our own borders? Let me know when you decide to leave your doors wide open for whoever has needs, no matter how many show up, and I might rethink my position.

Answer 6

I hate it when people want to say that illegal immigrants don't pay into the system, or they are taking jobs and the worst is when they say that they its all these Mexicans. I am a legal resident of the United States thanks to my parents who were born in Mexico. They are now legal. Never abused the system and always obeyed the law. Stop stereotyping!!!! I live in an all white community where people stare and look down upon mexicans. They think that we are all poor grass cutters that take advantage of their system. Oh really. Number one, for those that all not legalized yet, they are in the process. It isn't that easy. It takes an individual years of time and money to complete the process, number two until then they work under a green card that gives them permission to work. If not they use randon social security numbers to get jobs which for all of you that don't know, money gets taken out of there pay just like us.

I get tired of hearing it! There is this white lady that I work with, always talking about illegals. But then she turns around and goes to county hospitals and says that it is okay because she paid into it.

Who ever posted this question I thank you for your opinion for I feel the same way. Diversity is what makes America beautiful.

The white man needs to stop blaming all of their problems on every race. First they pick on the blacks, then jews, mexicans, and look at Iraq. Bush doesn't even know what the hell he is doing! I know you all are watching the news.

Please don't judge a book by its cover.

My point is this, don't stereotype everyone who looks like an illegal. People that I come in contact with ask me the most ignorant questions. This makes you whites sound very rascist which we all know you can be. You have to learn to not let that get in the way. Trust me I think that America is getting a little over crowded, but the fact is that it evrybody is taking advantage of the system. And until they do something about it everyone will continue abuse it.

Answer 7

you have very good points, but im questioning "e."
the world would be a much better place if there were more people like you.

e) According to the New York Times, immigrants actually make America safer (less crime).

how?

Answer 8

I don't know of anyone outside the extreme right wing who are against immigrants. mmigration is not the problem. The problem is illegal immigration, ie people who sneak across the border illegally. Think about it: the very first thing they do when they get here is break the law. They refuse to learn our language or assimilate into our culture. They don't pay into the tax system, but they sure reap the benefits.

When my great grandparents came to the US, they waited at Ellis Island until they were permitted entry. They spoke Yiddish only when they didn't want their children to know what they were saying. They learned to become Americans, and expected no special treatment.

Answer 9

a) Thieves whether they are legally stealing or illegally stealing are just trying to make a better life, but their motivation does not trump the fact that they are stealing. The answer to the immigration situation has to have the the best interests of the country and its citizens as its highest priority.

B) Good Point but how does it tie to your arguement?

C) Didn't the "Native American" originally immigrate across the Bering Sea from Asia? I was born here and consider myself an ethnic American. Our country needs to put the interests of its own people first. Our country is great because we (our ancestors) built a great country.

D) Don't be fooled by the Global Warming hoax. In the 1970s all the "scientists" were predicting a new Ice Age.

E) Don't believe anything the New York Times has to say. They have been lying since the 1930s. See this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Duranty

F) Yes we are lucky to have been born in America, So we should allow millions in to lower our standard of living???

The vast bulk of immigrants to this country are from Mexico, by allowing the ruling class of Mexico to get rid of their surplus population we are allowing them to continue their mismanagment and theft of Mexicos wealth. Most countries could be as prosperous as the US if they followed our model. But their ruling classes want to keep all the wealth and share none of it with their own people

Answer 10

I wish I knew why they were against them too? What you're saying is right - Native Americans were first, Mexicans are the product of them having children with Spaniards who came over here first. Then, they were pushed away until they ended up where they are today. The biggest reason of all that I don't understand, would be God. How can anyone honestly think that all of this fighting over immigration doesn't bother him? We need to stop and remember who is REALLY the ruler of all the lands, and that is God. Everyone keeps saying that it's the same thing as someone coming uninvited into their houses, or their yards, but it's not. I don't think that most of the immigrants who come over here are trying to break into someone's home, they're just trying to make a living. Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge. One thing gets on my nerves more than anything - people saying that they don't pay taxes. Yes they do, but most of them never get any of it back. One of my friend's family members is in the government, and they flat out said that the reason the government doesn't try any harder to push the immigrants out, is because this way they have more tax dollars that they can keep.