Why do most people think...?

Question

Why do most people think that most illegal immigrants have murdered, robbed, or committed other horrible crimes other than crossing the border?

Why do people think crossing the border should be a crime?

Wouldn't you try to look for a better life even if it was illegal?

Why do you think there are so many illegal immigrants, what if the U.S. government actually let us in legally, wouldn't there be more legal immigrants?

Do you think they don't pay taxes? If so why?

Do you think they affect the economy? In a good or bad way?

Why do most people think that just because some illegals are gangsters that we all are? Don't you think they hate them too?

I just want to know how come people think like that, I want explanations, not just answers.

Sony -

Don't you think that if the government let us in legally there wouldn't be any illegals, if the government let them in legally there wouldn't be as many, and those who came in illegally would be retarded. But guess what they don't let them, explain to me why they dont let them.

tylergrl!~ - Why is it a crime, and like I said if the government would let them in legally there wouldn't be so many illegals, they wouldn't have committed the "worst crime" in your eyes.

marko -

- First, I am not illegal stop assuming that just because I stand up for them, I am a Spaniard.

- They came here legally because the government doesntt let them.

- Because they don't let them in

- Better life in Mexico LEGALLY = near impossible

- Not all of them do that, as a matter of fact the minority do that

- Because we know and are willing to work

- I can't improve Spain because I don't live their

- Mexicans can't improve Mexico because their government is retarded, why do you think they came here.

Thanks for the list form makes it easier.

They came here *illegally* my mistake

Answer 1

Most people do not think that. To the uninformed mind, the stereotypical illegal immigrant is a cleaning lady, gardener or fruit-picker. Relatively few people - those who have acutally looked into the statistics some -realize that illegals run a much broader gamut, from service and agricultural work already mentioned, to construction, professionals, the unemployed and, yes, a disturbing proportion of serious criminals (still a small minority, of course, but not as small as in other demographics - most tellingly, legal immigrants).

Obviously, entering a country without permission should be a crime. It's not a serious crime, but a nation has to be able to police it's borders and interior, and unfettered movement across it's borders is not at all conducive to that.

Currently there are so many illegal immigrants because there are many factors drawing immigrants - the perception of higher pay in America (for workers), percecution and fear in thier home country, etc - some economic factors making illegals (specifically) attractive to some unscrupulous employers, and a difficult and limitted process for legal immigration. Yes, if the government allowed more and easier immigration some of those who might have entered illegally would instead enter legally. Ironically, that would make them undesireable to the very employers who exploit illegals.

Some illegals work 'under the table,' and pay no taxes. Others use false SS numbers to get work, and do pay taxes. Still others, who are illegal more on technicalities, like lapsed visas, still pay taxes just like they did when they were legal, often while trying to re-establish thier legal status.

Illegal immigrants certainly impact the economy. They depress wages in the sectors where they work, enable employers to undercut labor-protection laws, and create a drain of public services and strain on infrastructure that was designed in anticipation of a stable (or even shrinking) population, based on birth rates over the last 40 years. They do pad the proffits of thier employers, and keep some otherwise uncompetative employers afloat, and do keep the prices on some goods and services a bit lower than they would otherwise be, as well. They also extract money from the domestic economy via remitances - helping the economy of thier homeland, often substantially (the biggest example, of course, is Mexico - remittances are the second-largest line-item of it's GNP, after oil revenue).

That's a question Italians have been asking for a long time, too. It doesn't take many 'bad apples' to taint the bunch. And popular perception is all too vulnerable to stereotypes. The only thing you can do is fight the stereotype by being law-abiding. Of course, that meand going home and coming back legally.

Answer 2

Crossing the border is the worst crime they can do in my eyes, because the ones who do commit harsh or more violent crimes would not get the chance to commit those crimes here if they never crossed the border in the first place. Furthermore... The ones who don't commit violent crimes still hurt the U.S. by living off of American taxpayers by force... not by generosity!!! We are sick of footing the bill to take care of these criminals whether they commit a violent crime or the non violent crime of crossing our borders. Illegal means illegal & a crime is a crime.

Answer 3

You are criminals for being here illegally.
You cross the border illegally , it is a crime.
You should try for a better life - legally.
You don't pay all the taxes you should - another crime.
You lower the pay of our legal citizens.

Follow the rules and we will treat you well .
Why don't you improve your own country?

Answer 4

its because the americans are closed minded people who dont give a damn about any one but themselves. they cant open there eyes and see the good that mexicans does for our country. i am a white american who gives 100% support to the mexicans. americans dont see the crimes that other americans commit. they have to have someone to blame so why not blame the mexicans. i believe that the american hates the mexicans with a passion. they arent willing to help them all they care about is doing what is best for them.

Answer 5

I am sick and tired of hearing advocates for illegal aliens saying that crossing our border is not a felony and that once in this nation most are hard working, law abiding citizens. Oh really? Even the most innocent illegal alien must continue to commit fraud after fraud upon this society to simply work or obtain housing, medical care, etc. They must either use a false ID number or work for cash (and not pay taxes) to earn a living - both are felonies. They cannot legally obtain a driver’s license in most states so they either use fraudulent papers to secure a license or they drive without one - both are crimes. The list goes on and on.

Answer 6

Scapegoats always are "needed" in any and all culture in order to account for collective guilt. The so called illegal immigration is but a symptom of unequal international relationships, most of all of unfair trade "agreements." Right now, immigrants carry the stigma. In other times scapegoats were Jews, witches, gays, heretics, barbarians, non Christians, and I bet that in Hindu or Muslim dominated countries they are atheists, Christians, western minded people, and so forth.

Answer 7

All countries have immigration laws.

All countries enforce them.

Period.