Why do we insist on calling immigrants from Mexico illegals? After all most pre-1900 immigrants were also?

Question

I know they broke the law and are now demanding that they be rewarded for it. But come on, everyone who got off the boat when immigration was lax (just like it is today) pre 1850 came without papers, so what is the big deal? I know I would be clueless if my gardner and my maid did not show up because they were hauled off to Mexico. What would I do? And the fellow who washes my cars so well for a pittance is undocumented. They work hard and work for peanuts. Give them a break.

Answer 1

I completely disagree with you. 1850 was a long time ago, and America wasn't nearly in the shape then as it is today. I think immigrants are taking advantage of us. On the other hand, I think we are letting them take advantage. We need a stronger government, one who isn't afraid to expel them from this country.
I am tired of being the one paying taxes, paying for car insurance, working my *** off, and struggling to make ends meet, while millions of immigrants enjoy the luxury of OUR tax dollars.
If they're going to live here, they need to PAY TAXES. They need to get some CAR INSURANCE so that when they hit me, they can freakin pay for it.
I am hoping that I've made myself clear.

Answer 2

This country is litterally being overwhelmed by people from Mexico. The influx is beyond the capability of the country to accomodate. There is a cost to us all for that cheap car wash when that fellow gets sick and uses emergency services. I recommend relying on high school fund raising car washes instead.

Since it's 2007 and not pre-1900 we should be enforcing our immigration laws. My grandfather immigrated legally from Germany in 1933. I don't see entire cities that are german, but I do see entire cities that are mexican.

imo the US should work out some kind of immigration law that does not reward illegal immigration, does promote business opportunity in Mexico, and provides for some kind of a documented guest worker program in those industries where there is a clear need.

Answer 3

Few in the US have any idea what immigration or living in another country involves but yet everyone is an expert. Many Americans go to another country on a tourist Visa and stay-illegally. I'm currently living legally in another country where the large majority speak Spanish. I am grateful daily that they don't make fun of my lack of Spanish any attempt on my part to speak broken Spanish is met by kindness and patience. I agree, give them a break. I read a story not long ago about a Mexican who entered the US and worked as a dishwasher for 10 years-and saved $60,000! Which was confiscated by the US government when he tried to leave the US. Show me a US citizen who could work at mi nimum wage and save that kind of money. Instead they would buy a new car, new clothes, and a mortgage they can't afford to impress others.

Answer 4

There were laws that reflected the country's needs. We needed people then, now we have too many people. We let in more immigrants than any other country in the world, legally, between 1 and 2 million a year, and more from Mexico than from any other country, and more poor immigrants who can't pay in taxes what they use in services than any other country. Those who ignore our limits are stealing from our own children (look at LAUSD and remember that it was one of the best education systems in the country 30 years ago) and our sick (now King-Harbor is being added to the 80 hospitals closing in California - too bad for all those inner city Americans) and our poor (those with untraceable income seem so much poorer than poor with a pay check, don't they?)

The numbers are too huge and it is ruining our own infrastructure and poverty relief programs for our own people. Where did you guys get the idea that no one but illegals works hard?

And if you pay a pittance for someone to wash your car, then shame on you.

Answer 5

I do not call ALL Mexican Americans "illegals", just the ones who ARE here illegally, as I would anybody from any country who was here illegally!
I suppose if you woke up and found your maid, gardener and car washer were deported for being here illegally, your overprivledged azz would have to do your own chores! Which you should do anyway!


Maybe, and this is purely sarcastic by the way, any country who we are getting tons of immigrants from should just be annexed by the United States, chopped up into states and be made to pay taxes like the rest of us!

Did you know that there is currently a bill in congress that would, if passed, either make Puerto Rico a state or cut them loose? They are a territory of the U.S. but are exempt from Federal taxes! They may participate in all federal funded programs but do not pay for them!

Answer 6

Good question Paabahar. The truth is most immigrants back during the time frame you mentioned did come here legally. They registered at New York City, at Ellis Island, and at San Francisco. The problem with just anybody coming across the border is that we know nothing of criminal backgrounds (estimated at 10%). Also, with American entitlements that now exist - social security, food and housing assistance, etc. - legallizing everyone would cost us 3 dollars for every 1 dollar paid in by taxes. The one point I don't like about this is all the people who do come here and go through the legal process to become citizens. Is it right to suddenly allow certain immagrants instant citizenship, while the one's following legal proceedures have to keep working and waiting for their right? Thx for asking.

Answer 7

Call me detailed......I like calling things exactly what they are. I don't care what happened in the past.......here and now we have laws and rules. Those that abided by them are legal and those that didn't are ILLEGAL. I work hard for peanuts too..........where's my break? Glad you can afford so many servants to do your work. I don't and you should be ashamed of yourself to talk so proud about the pittance you pay them to do your dirty work. Might do you some good to pick up a broom yourself from time to time. Then maybe you wouldn't be so "clueless".

Answer 8

Yes... we should just allow anything that happened almost 200 years ago to happen now. We could burn women and claim they were witches.... after all, I know nothing about witches. We could bring back slavery... then you wouldn't even have to pay the low wage to have things done! You could just have a couple of them slaves. I mean... you have it all worked out! Never mind that our country will collapse due to all those who leach off the system... As long as they are working hard... lets just make it easy for everyone and have NO laws... then we would be tolerant to everyone and no one would hate us! Yeah! Woo hoo! Viva la Mexamericanada!

Please edit that this question was made in sarcasm. It would be just sad if you truly believed this.

Answer 9

"Did you know that we are paying $12,000,000,000 nationaly for their tuition to put illegals into schools?!"

Hold the **** on...dont we have terrorism because theres a lack of education and people are hopeless so they turn to extremism? Just because you didnt have an education dont bash on people that can get one. Your right lets be patriots and keep people in the dark like the CEOs want to...your mindset is the biggest reason nothing ever gets done in this country.

Answer 10

The past is just that the past. Now is what we have to deal with. The big deal is the fact that they broke the law that is on the books now. They dont deserve a break .