Immigration or intolerance?

Question

The questions and comments on the immigration issue are so racially charged. Why not tolerate these people who came here to get a better life?

Yeah, this is America, and I am proud to be an American. I am also proud to have an open mind and learn about people who aren't like me.

But why Mexicans? What is it about them that causes these "Speak English - Love It or Leave It" reactions? Is it all about money (sponging off of us)?
What is it about immigration that causes such a strong, negative reaction for you?

There are many others from many different countries entering the US illegally.
I'm not saying it's right to enter the US by illegal means - it's not!
But doesn't it seem as though they are generalized into that "illegal" catagory - whether they are or not?

I thank MOST of you for your input.
My purpose is selfish - I just want know how you feel about this very hot issue, and maybe enlighten me with some facts I didn't know.

As for the derogatory comments; I asked for opinion not commentary.

Answer 1

What gets me is poor immigrants who can't speak English coming in numbers above the very generous limits we set to protect our schools and services, and ruining schools and health care for our own people. Education costs $10,000 per child per year in California, and that money is taken from our own children's education, and their schools are overcrowded, tought by teachers on emergency credentials on year round schedules. Our children's programs have been slashed across the board to fund ESL and 'intervention' programs for those illegally here.

Why are their children more important than our own, when we are the ones paying the bills, and they broke the law to be here?

REALLY, brand x? Take a look at the schools, why don't you. The middle class is all but gone. try www.greatschools.net, try the LAUSD and compare test scores to ESL demographics.
--
no, wicked. This started long before the war. I'm a parent. I'm active. I DO know what I am talking about.

Answer 2

Why should Americans waste out money fixing other country problems thats why they have a president and thats what there government suppose to do. I am not going to waste my hard tax money to fix other country's problem. There are alot of American Citizen who are living on minium wages struggling every day a trying to make a livng and we should ignore our American needs and help other country. What people need to understand is that Ameica is in debt why should we payoff other country's debt when we are in debt ourself. Alot of Americans are living in a third world country where there are shootings every day,no jobs,no education,No health insurance but we should just ignore and make sure other country's citizen are 100% safe and ok.

what is up witht these illegals. I donot have a problem with illegals one of my very close friend is illegal and she doesnot work as a matter of fact she gets government healthcare that most Americans cannot get now is this fair.

Illegal immigrant all they want to di is work and send all their money back home. yes some illegals do work but they pay no taxes which means money coming out of the American economy and they are not putting money back into our economy.
Here is the thing this law will never pass so we are all wasting our time. One this bills dies you illegals will no longer march. Our laws will be inforce instead and we will have a better economy so bye bye illegals.

Answer 3

Yes California is the 8th largest economy in the world. It use to be 6th. Its racially charged on both sides. Forcing them to speak English is not wrong. Its pretty much standard to most countries. What cause the strong negative emotion for most is illegal immigrants last year sent a huge message on May 1st saying they hate us. A lot of peopole here are reacting to that. As to tolerance, Its not a matter of tolerance but trying to regain respect for our legal system. I see our legal system decaying. People think its ok to break the law if they don't get caught. THis attitude is causing a decay in our moral fiber. I see so much disregard from corporation, and the government, and everyone else. We need to make a statement that obeyance to the law should not be of personal discretion. All people are selfish and will manipulate the situation for their favor. I am not against increasing the quota, but I do not support giving amnesty to people who knowingly break the law. It invites more violations latter on. And about racism towards Mexicans, I do not pretend it does not exist, but out immigration system discrimnate for Mexicans. Half of all legal immigrants are Mexicans. Frankly, I think its unfair to other nationality. I am a bit annoyed how Hispanics harp how Americans are racist, because we are against illegal immigration and ignore the fact, we let in more Hispanics than any other ethnic group in to the US.

As for wicked, Our people wanted war, but we regret it now. It was our choice. I am against the war now, but I acknowledge we don't have all the facts either. Two wrongs don't make a right. Its like saying jack stole $10 from me and john stole $5, and you are telling me I should only be mad at jack.

as for Brand, the suffering illegal immigration is not shared across the board. SOme community is hurt more than others. THe pay of the Afrcan Americans has plummeted because of illegal immigration. The middle class has shrunk because of it, except for the hispanic middleclass. WHat I see in America, is the rich is swallowing the economic gain, and putting a negative pressure on the middle class. The middle class is the lowest in California. The tax we pay is killing us here.

Answer 4

I don't feel negative when it comes to immigration, however Americans suffer every year because the restrictions placed on immigration are constantly ignored.

I believe we should help these countries develop their economies to where they can prosper, to where it is better. Maybe help. We do not help by keeping our borders open and constantly lowering our standards for immigration. We add to the problems of education, the ever growing problem of racism, hostility, the costs of living, employment, and damage our economy etc. Our nation can only handle so much. to help these ravaged economies would be the best option, not to encourage poor immigrants to move here and add to our problems.

It does not help to stand aside and allow this to continue. My heart goes out to those who suffer the way they do. But I think it would be better to help them, not coddle and baby them and give them amnesty and financial assistance when the nation's debt is already terribly high.

I'm not against helping people. These people just like anyone else deserve a chance at a better life, however America is no longer the promised land, and we need to help other countries to become the best they can be.

Answer 5

I've known that there were always illegals in the country and for the most part tolerated them and looked the other way. If they didn't bother me,I didn't bother them.
What I will not tolerate is people who come here illegally and then have the nerve to bad mouth Americans,burn our flag and march in our streets demanding rights that they could have had if they had crossed the border legally.
I think the marches that they held that were so hostile towards us opened up alot of peoples eyes. Why should we have to put up with people that harbor such hatred for us and our country?

Answer 6

Skipping the serious contagious disease check.
Skipping the minimal job skills check.
Skipping the felony record check.

I'd go for making Mexico a state! But not without precautions.

Heck, we take more precautions with lovers than we do with illegal immigrants!

Who is preparing your food at a restaurant, or taking care of your children?

Do you think just because they aren't Mexican that you are safe? What about the thousands of illegal immigrants (white) that come from Russia? Or Asia? Or Africa?

It isn't a racial issue except for racists, or those who would like it be called a racial issue to avoid stopping it.

Answer 7

I do not see much intolerance for immigrants, most I know welcome immigrants... They had enough respect for our laws to become a citizen through proper channels.

I do see a lot of intolerance for illegal aliens and for good reason, what you see as making a better life for themselves is made over the backs of the taxpayers... You apparently have not been in the Immigration section long or you would see those on the other side telling citizens to learn to speak Spanish in the US and like it.... Most citizens are put out by the fact that we have illegal aliens in our country marching in our streets demanding rights that they are not entitled to and completely ignoring our laws.

Answer 8

Here are some facts that the people living in LosAngeles deal with:
40% of all workers in L.A. County (L.A. County has 10 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This was because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card.
95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
Over 2/3’s of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
Nearly 25% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking.
In L.A.County 5.1 million people speak English. 3.9 million speak Spanish (10.2 million people in L.A.County).
(All 10 from the Los Angeles Times)
Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops but 29% are on welfare.
http://www.cis.org/
Over 70% of the United States annual population growth (and over 90% of California, Florida, and New York) results from immigration.
The cost of illegal immigration to the American taxpayer in 1997 was a NET (after subtracting taxes immigrants pay) $70 BILLION a year, [Professor Donald Huddle, Rice University].
The lifetime fiscal impact (taxes paid minus services used) for the average adult Mexican immigrant is a NEGATIVE .
29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens
Tomatoes and Cheap Labor.

Answer 9

Most have no problems with immigration, we take more immigrates than any other country in the world. It is illegally immigration that is the problem

Answer 10

It has nothing to do with immigration - or Mexican immigrants.. and has everything to do with Illegal Immigrants, regardless of country- why?? because they are ILLEGAL

Brand X: Absolutely not- they are illegal, they have committed a crime- and I do not support rewarding anybody for their crime- if they originally came into this country legally then I do not have a problem... when they cross the line illegally then I do