Why has illegal immigration only recently come into the public and political spotlight as an actual issue...?

Question

When it's been a problem for many years?

Answer 1

I think a few things have put the spotlight on the issue the marches, the rallies, the anti citizen sentiment, the signs, the demanding and this bill, American flags turned upside down under other nations flags or being burned.

If you do not live in an area that is affected by illegal immigration you probably have not taken it seriously until now. For those of us who live in areas that have been affected for a while its nothing new.

Answer 2

The problem is that some people don't like to see different people on their neighborhoods, and when they say the "do it legally" or the "get in line as the rest" FYI the immigrants from Europe didn't apply for a visa or a green card they just came here the same way as the mexicans today , they did it with out an invitation.

Answer 3

Actually it became an issue back in the 80's. That's when they came up with the I-9 (having to prove you were legal to work in the U.S. before you could be hired). The governemtn also gave amnesity to about 2 million illegals back then, and said they would never give amneisty again. Yea, right!

Answer 4

The massive influx of immigrants is more of a recent issue and getting much worse.The fact that instead of assimilating into the society, the new breed of immigrant (Illegal that is) wants to take all of our services as if it is a god given right, to fly our Flag in the most disrespectable way, to have flagrant disreguard for our laws and to stand up on a podium and basically give us the middle finger> I would safely assume that this is the reason they are pissing people off.

Answer 5

This issue usually comes around election time, where Republican politicians use it as an issue to get elected. They usually don't have anything else to stand on except immigrant bashing, and they know they can rile ignorant rednecks who already hate Mexicans. And also to divert attention from all the billions of $$$ we're wasting needlessly in Iraq that could go to schools and hospitals here.

Answer 6

Because all of a sudden the politicians want to use it to be (re)elected. And also, the more things given to the illegals, the more brazen they have become. Look at some of the answers.....the illegals are bragging about having babies and bleeding the system. They call us losers and claim that they will take over the country.

Answer 7

I have been fighting against the illegal invasion for several years and when I began that fight, I had the knowledge of why they were truly coming here,many Americans did not.
Now that the illegals are openly demanding,openly being racist and openly talking of conquering us,the general public now see with their own eyes what I and many others had been trying to tell them for years. I think that's why it is so much in the spotlight now,the illegals have shined that light on themselves.

Answer 8

Ohio has brought it up a few years back. The state began rounding them out and shipping them back. The state was also wanting to send Mexico a bill for the charges of deporation, but I'm sure we paid for that cost too.

Answer 9

Because it's how the politicians can get noticed. Enough generations have passed between many Americans and their ancestors who came to the U.S. that they've forgotten most of their ancestors were also "illegal" immigrants. Just because they came through Ellis Island to the "Land of Opportunity" doesn't mean they came here with papers in hand which assured them entry. Many were fleeing other countries to create a new life for themselves and their families, just like the "illegal" immigrants of today.

Answer 10

Election Year