I am really trying to be respectful with this question, and I would love to hear from people who support the other side of this question (the illegal immigrants). I have a problem with people who are here illegally (breaking the law) demanding anything. I think they should be glad that they are not deported back to their countries for breaking the law. I came to the US from another country legally, and waited for 5 years to become a permanent resident, then another 5 years to become a citizen. I was grateful to this country for accepting my application to become a citizen, but was willing to go back to my birth country if I had been turned down. How dare people who are here by breaking the law demand anything?! What are your thoughts on this subject?
2007-05-01 03:17:08 · 11 answers · asked by Lepke 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I agree with you 100%. I have NO problem with immigration as long as it's done LEGALLY. I would never sneak into another country and demand they give me things!! I would feel like such an a**hole. No one 'owes' me anything, why does this country 'owe' citizenship to anyone who refuses to follow the laws? Plus, why the heck would we want to grant citizenship to people who prove they don't follow the law even before they even attempt to become a legal citizen?
2007-05-01 03:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by Pico 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Republican who happens to have a liberal view on immigration. If you want people to drive the speed limit and not 5 to 10 mph over, you have to enforce that on the spot - not suddenly turn around and retroactively hand out thousands of tickets and suspend everyone's license for what we've all been doing for a very long time. It's an unwritten contract that although technically illegal, the cops are going to let you get away with going a little over the speed limit. We have been lax on enforcing illegal immigration and looked the other way. It's much easier to turn people away at the border or deport them once their visa expires than to throw them out of the country once they've been here for many, many years and built a life here. Ultimately, we need to secure the border and to find out who's here. If they aren't criminals, I don't have a problem with a pathway to citizenship - and I have no desire to squeeze these people like many other conservatives seem to feel is necessary. As far as "jumping the line", the problem there is that there is a line at all. Our legal immigration system is so screwed up that it's backing up people who should be able to enter and contribute to the country. All of that is just context... To answer your question, I still don't have a problem with the term. The "illegal" in "illegal immigrant" denotes status - the same way we have "single people" and "married people". It's a factually accurate ongoing status. The term has nothing to do with race or racism. There are white illegal immigrants too. How is the framing incorrect? Just because I'm not big on punishment for a crime we weren't adequately enforcing doesn't mean they aren't ultimately responsible and accountable for their own actions. As far as employers, in the past many have not known (or quite frankly tried not to know) whether their employees were illegal or not. For those you can prove knowingly hired "illegal immigrants", I have no issue calling them "illegal employers" either. Go ahead and add that to the lexicon.
2016-05-17 23:43:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you did is very respectable. I'm not an immigrant, but I do feel that the laws should be abided by. Nothing is free.
I'm a big advocate of what is fair is fair, and we should accept immigrants that want to pursue a decent life and be a productive member of society.
However, if they break the laws before becoming citizens, then who's to say they won't break the laws after getting here. Like paying taxes.
2007-05-01 03:23:59 · answer #3 · answered by James L 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is what the government does not get. This is a slap in the face of the immigrants who do come here legally. It would go a long way to help the feelings of anger that I feel towards those who are here illegally by sneaking in and bullying the citizens. Our government officials all need to be impeached for supporting those who want immunity from deportation for the crime they have committed. What the government does not realize is that this is causing unrest among the citizens. What next? A civil war to get our rights back?
My grandfather came here legally, spoke english and wanted his family to be Americans.
2007-05-01 03:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to this country and thank you for taking the time to be here the right way. I personally feel like America should be open to accepting immigrants. That, after all, is how our ancesters got here. We should be open and welcoming to those who want to come here for a better life. However, you should be willing to take the proper steps to do so, like you did. I support anyone who wishes to come here and enjoy the freedoms and liberties we do, just do it the right way. There will be red tape and it will not be a quick and easy thing to do, but thats the price you have to pay to live in this country. We have had so many women and men die to keep these freedoms and liberties intact, the least the immigrants could do is enter the country legally and correctly. Good luck to you!!
2007-05-01 03:28:01 · answer #5 · answered by My two cents 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you 100%!
The liberals in this country would permit them to become citizens and then we would have a flood of illegals charging over the borders!
I was born in Canada as my profile shows from German immigrant parents.
We are all productive citizens of Pennsylvania after having been here legally since 1974.
I myself enforce the laws of my state which I do proudly.
Can you imagine going to another country and demanding to be a citizen of that country? You would be in jail quick as all hell!
My parents were REQUIRED to learn English when they arrived in Canada from Germany.
2007-05-01 03:26:42 · answer #6 · answered by Derek B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Im Mexican American and yes I agree everyone should be legal and wait in line to become approved for citizenship, its only fair...but I also know if the USA bordered other poverty infested countries, latinos would not be the only ppl targeted for illegal immigration, my two cents
btw my daddy and my mom came here legally and they are now American Citizens, they took the test and passed, they would not be here illegaly, thats how my parents are very honest..it just depends on the type of person.
2007-05-01 03:24:34 · answer #7 · answered by no name 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well, I'm also against people who are here illegaly braking the law. And I'm not talking about breaking the law because they are illegal but breaking the law because they are criminals, mobsters and up to no good, Kapeesh? I mean the majority of illegals in my opinion aren't here to brake the laws, just being illegal breaks it though. God help them and the immigration leaders so we can have an agreeable law. Maybe one that gives residency to those faithful people who have clean criminal records and who work to live, and for those with criminal backgrounds to be deported with no mercy, that to me sounds fair.
2007-05-01 03:24:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is really a tough call. This country was founded by nothing but immigrants, and generation after generation later, we have what we call "Society". I think the native Americans should've had a little more say so in it at one point in time or another.
2007-05-01 03:28:26 · answer #9 · answered by Kbrand5 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You have summed it up beautifully. Do it the correct and legal way or leave.
2007-05-01 03:21:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋