How do you describe illegal immigrants to your children?

Answer 1

I say they are people who are poor and want what we have but haven't gone through the process that would give them the right to take what we give our citizens. I say their schools would be better were they not here, because the gifted programs would not have been cut back so much to fund extra programs for ESL students. You have to understand that except for boutique middle class niches (such as we carefully bought into) there aren't many whites left in the public schools. I think that is why so many Hispanics think they are the majority - in their schools, they are. But that is because there has been middle class flight not only by those who can easily afford private school costs, but of those who have to sell their houses and move into a condo to afford tuition. 19% of people in Los Angeles own their own home according to some statistics I've seen, and that is not only due to property prices. The American Dream at best is on it's last legs in Los Angeles.

I also say to my kids that half of the Mexican nationals here are legal and they need to assume whomever they meet is legal because it wouldn't be fair to assume someone who came legally and has full right to be here was illegal.

They have their own opinion which as anti as I am, I try to blunt. That is because I know well that growing up in LA where the graffiti is in Spanish and the gangs are Hispanic and the poor areas we see (there are others but not around us) are Hispanic, that it is too easy to believe that that sums up Hispanics. They don't see the educated professionals who are Hispanic (as I do), or many Hispanic middle class around us (although occasionally they do see a cute girl). I don't want them to be prejudiced against an entire culture. However, the areas I don't want them to go into and the groups (gangs) I warn them about are Hispanic, and they are bright enough to pick up on that. It has to do with what is the most visible of the poor in our particular region, and I've explained the difference between poverty of any people and 'bad people'. I can see how prejudices develop, though.

Answer 2

I believe the question was illegal, so the poster who referenced all americans being immigrants is off. I'm an american and I didn't immigrate from anywhere.
As far as what do I tell my kids? The same thing I tell them about other criminals. Do not be like them. Laws are made to be followed, regardless of your excuse. There is no justification for entering and remaining somewhere illegal in violation of the laws of a society.Laws reflect the norma and values of a society. You violate them, you have violated the very foundation of that society and there is zero excuse for that. Without laws, society will collapse. We enforce our laws in this country and place great value on them, unlike the lands where most illegals come from. To defend a illegal immigrant by saying...they are just people who want a better life is justifying their crime.

Answer 3

Give a dictionary definition:

"–noun 1. a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully or without the country's authorization."

Depending on the age of the child, some alternative, simpler words may need to be used.

Answer 4

I would describe it as anyone who comes into this country without the proper permission from the government to be here or someone that says they are here to visit but really plan to stay. it doesn't matter if there here to work they are still not here legally.

Answer 5

Yep. But if he is given probation, he would bolt for Mexico faster than a good rocket.

Answer 6

People that come here even though it's against the law. Instead of breaking into our home, they're breaking into our Country. I also describe how many benefits they get, and how LITTLE her terminally ill Nana gets.

Last April and we were treated like crap at their so called rally. By the end of the day, she was sick of it and screaming across the street to go home. She saw them for the pack of animals that they are! They showed her who and how they are!

Answer 7

As the Political Flavor Of The Month

FP

Answer 8

Any people who are in our country without the proper documentation.

Answer 9

They are just like any other common criminal. They are destroying our country. I tell them, if the trash isn't taken out soon our great country is going to get very bad.

Answer 10

As people who are desperate for just a fraction of the standard of living we enjoy. Ask the children what they would do if they were children in another country, without decent clothing, without enough to eat, with only parents who want to do what is best for their children. What would the children recommend these people do to better their lives?

We might also do well to ask ourselves what we would do if we were in their places. What would you do to put food in your child's mouth? Clothes on his back? Think about what you do now, because you have had opportunitities that aren't afforded poor people from lower classes in other countries.

Is a better question, what wouldn't you do to feed your child? I know I wouldn't give a rat's *** about a border if it stood between me and the health of my child.

There really is one law of history that should be remembered, when people are hungry, revolutions occur. A revolution every now and then is good for a country. If it occurs in the country next door and spills over into our country, that might be good also.

Children have simple answers. Perhaps that is what we need more of...simplicity.