I'm so confused!,If my ancestors had not entered this country illegally........?

Question

What I mean is 4 or 5 generations ago my ancestors were considered mexicans,because they "swan across the border or whatever".Well over the years they bacame legal,then my greatgranparents were born citizens,then my granparents,then my parents and so on.Now times have changed and america is faced with the immigration issues.As mentioned I'am an american born taxpaying citizen,I agree with the majority of americans who believe in the new immigration law.I don't think I as a tax payer should have to support them and it is against the law to enter illegally.My dilema is:how can I judge "these people"?When in fact,I somewhere along the line came from illegal immigrants.There are times when I think to myself is it fair of me to think to hell with the illegals,just because I was luckily born a citizen?I just wonder are there other hispanics out there as confused as I am?Also do any non hispanics feel the same?(of course excluding NativeAmericans)

Answer 1

First of all do not assume because your ancestors came here in the manner that illegal aliens to today means they did it illegally - its quite possible there were no laws against it then but there are for certain laws agaisnt it today.

Second take the race out of it - it has nothing to do with the issue and is used by one side of the debate to put down the other side personally and it has no merit. The issue is the rule of law; and people that ignore the rule of law should be punished in some way.

Answer 2

Don't be confused or upset how your ancestors came into the United States, unlike alot of immigrates coming into the U.S. now, your ancestors worked hard to be called citizens in the new country. Be proud of your ancestors as most people are of theirs, they were the ones that help build our great country. It's a shame that because of bigger problems with immigration, Mexico is the main topic of illegals, there are others from different countries that also fit into being called illegal immigrations. The American tax payer isn't able to take care of our own American born citizens needs because of having to support immigrations that want to take advantage of everything they can have and get because of the Politics involved.

Answer 3

The laws have changed over the years and its very likely that your ancestors weren't illegal.

But doesn't this same reasoning also apply to people from countries other than Mexico? We limit the number of immigrants from those countries as well, and they can't just hike through the desert if they are told no. Should we feel guilty that we are preventing people from coming here just because it was easier for our great-great grandparents to come here?

This is NOT about race or nationality, this is about law, order and the sustainability of our country. Imagine if overnight 20,000 people moved into your neighborhood, would there be enough housing, will there be enough food & water, schools, medical services, etc etc.?

Look at what happened when the levies failed in New Orleans and thousands of people suddenly had to move, things weren't very pretty were they? Out of control immigration is doing the same type of thing, only in slow motion.

Answer 4

Four or five generations ago there was probably no law against your ancestors crossing that border. But, as this country started to grow; a great deal by immigration, laws had to be made to regulate how many from each country we could accept. Now we are at almost 300 million persons, our land is not as productive as it was, fresh water is not as plentiful, land ownership is out of sight for most immigrants, our health & general welfare are at a very low point, we are finding it hard to provide for those who are here legally, let alone take care of someone who has the mistaken idea that this is the land of plenty, it isn't anymore. Yes, we have more than a lot of countries but, if we don't draw the line somewhere, more of our people, the ones who have also been here for generations & are legal, will not be taken care of, already we are seeing this in the cut backs on services to those who are needy in this country. We must not allow people to just walk in & take from those who have been here, worked & paid taxes for what they have, if you feel guilty about this, why don't you sponser someone from Mexico, let them come & live with you? That should ease your consence as well as help someone from the other side of the border!

Answer 5

Unlike America's immigrants in the past, far too many of todays' Mexican and Muslim immigrants are not assimilating into American culture, a fact that immigration proponents like Lindsey Graham, who recently read a 96-year-old quote into the Senate record to demonstrate that fear of foreigners is not new for Americans, fail to comprehend.

Answer 6

Netjr is somewhat right. How do you know your great great grandparents were here illegally. for some of us 5 generation ago parts of United states was Mexico, and whats more the immigration law in the 1800's allow Mexican to cross the border more freely.

Answer 7

If you want to lose everything you worked for then continue to think that way and wallow in guilt. mexicans had a chance to make a success of their country but screwed it. I can no longer afford the illegal alien. Do you want america to look like Tijuanna?

Answer 8

You wore me out just reading your diatribe of a post.

Reading you reminded me of what Dennis Miller once said about bi-sexuals: "You are greedy S-O-Bs who need to pick a hole and stick with it".

You are either for illegal immigration--or not. You want the laws upheld--or you don't.
You want reform--or you don't.

Or maybe you are just too scaredy-cat to be able to pick a position and defend it?

Answer 9

I am Native American. I am against illegal immigration. Laws of a land are laws.

Answer 10

Your ancestors weren't illegal.

Some Liberal has planted that false idea in your head.

In their time, it was legal to cross the border at will.

Now, it isn't.